loschavez
Just saw the DVD and I couldn't be more pleased.We all knew Albert Finney is a monumental star; not only in Brit cinema, but altogether on the screen. Ever since he was a young beau.Now in his elderly career he looms larger than most; and the role of Winnie proved easy as pie to this wonderful trouper. I have visited his beautiful estate, Chartwell. It's stupendous; here we see how he loved it. Meaning as well his love for the British Empire. The story of his unbelievable resurgence to power during the Gathering Storm that was apparent only to him, is certainly dramatic. That's the core of this triumphant role for Albert Finney.Finney's Churchill makes an entire era return to life again, such is the manic strength of his acting. He becomes Winston Churchill.Spoiler alert! All the rest of this cast help make it lovely and nostalgic; Linus Roache as Ralph Wigram and Lonnie Barker, playing Inches the faithful butler: Who isn't afraid to scratch back at his dominating master; a sweet spot of comic relief. I only found Vanessa Redgrave barely suitable for such an important role as Clementine the adored wife. While she was having affairs the Old Man was saving the world from Adolf Hitler. That probably casts her in a bad light, of course. The production and acting are outstanding; as we've become so used to in numerous British TV movies. To see Albert Finney at his apogee, watch The Gathering Storm!
ulleland
Joining in with other recent depictions of great politicians and monarchs, this film describes in an exceptional manner the man Winston Churchill. Backed by such extraordinary talents as Vanessa Redgrave, Albert Finney brings Churchill to life in a most excellent way, giving us a thoroughly realistic image of his speeches, his beliefs, his narcissism - his strengths and his weaknesses. Along with his personal life, the troubling times are at the centre of the plot. Churchill's particular manner made him the perfect opposite to Hitler, and one of the few men in British politics to stand up to German aggression in an era of appeasement. Churchill is one of the great men of history, for better or worse. This film should be viewed by young and old, and its message burned into the minds of all.
hollija
I bought this movie on DVD and didn't watch it for a few weeks, expecting another dry commentary on this WWII icon. When I finally pulled it out of it's plastic, I was pleasantly surprised! This is a movie that finally shows Winston the humanboth as a father and (with more in depth development) a husband. It shows the vulnerable Winston behind the plump bellied, arrogant, smelly-cigar-smoking, politician. History books generally paint Churchill a bit one dimensional (in my humble opinion)more like a caricature of a man. Within this movie he comes to life; a warm blooded human being living in a home with a family; enduring, persevering, enjoying and surviving all that life offers him.
northbaychassen
I can't endorse this movie enough. It demonstrates the truth of destiny and what one may have to endure to accomplish one's destiny. I.e. that one has to keep trudging on, that one might know one level what their destiny is, but at the same time have to find out where it is in the real world. Also that even great men can suffer from depression. The difference is how it is dealt with.I should add the most important point which is that even when the whole of parliament was against him, Churchill stuck to his guns on his belief of what Germany was about. He was ridiculed, marginalized and not treated well. It was his preparation and his alarm bells despite all of this that saved England.And this is the real last point: it also demonstrates how important the support of those around him was.
AD
