Darkest Hour

Name: Darkest Hour
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, War
Released: November 22, 2017
Duration: 125 min
Rating: 75
Cast: Adrian Rawlins, Anna Burnett, Beatrice Stein, Ben Mendelsohn, Charley Palmer Merkell

2017

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Generally favorable reviews based on 50 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 348 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 348 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: November 22, 2017 | PG-13

Starring: Adrian Rawlins, Anna Burnett, Beatrice Stein, Ben Mendelsohn, Charley Palmer Merkell, David Schofield, Gary Oldman, Hannah Steele, Hilton McRae, Jordan Waller, Kristin Scott Thomas, Lily James, Nicholas Jones, Philip Martin Brown, Pip Torrens, Richard Lumsden, Ronald Pickup, Samuel West, Stephen Dillane

Summary: During the early days of World War II, with the fall of France imminent, Britain faces its darkest hour as the threat of invasion looms. As the seemingly unstoppable Nazi forces advance, and with the Allied army cornered on the beaches of Dunkirk, the fate of Western Europe hangs on the leadership of the newly-appointed British PrimeDuring the early days of World War II, with the fall of France imminent, Britain faces its darkest hour as the threat of invasion looms. As the seemingly unstoppable Nazi forces advance, and with the Allied army cornered on the beaches of Dunkirk, the fate of Western Europe hangs on the leadership of the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman). While maneuvering his political rivals, he must confront the ultimate choice: negotiate with Hitler and save the British people at a terrible cost or rally the nation and fight on against incredible odds.… Expand

Director: Joe Wright

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History, War

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 125 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Mick LaSalle

Dec 6, 2017

Across the veil of years, we have seen tall Churchills, obese Churchills, sloppy Churchills, gross Churchills and scowling bull dog Churchills, and yet not one movie or TV Churchill has come close to giving us the man in full, both in look and spirit, until Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Dec 19, 2017

Thanks to Oldman’s unerring portrayal of a deeply flawed man rising to face a crisis, and inspiring a nation to rise with him, it’s an equally worthy reminder that there have been bad times before today’s, and that people, great and small, saw them through. Read full review

Wendy Ide

Sep 12, 2017

This is a film which breathes life, as well as alcohol fumes, into history. Like its central character, Darkest Hour has “mobilised the English language and sent it into battle.” Read full review

Philip Kemp

Jan 8, 2018

An Oscar-aimed turn from Gary Oldman anchors this WW2 portrait of Churchill at his most beleaguered. Read full review

Ty Burr

Nov 23, 2017

A decent biopic, rousing and well-made and unruffled by depth, with an expertly judged performance at its center. Read full review

Alan Scherstuhl

Nov 21, 2017

Wright’s film is fleet but not especially thoughtful, wholly convincing in its production design, and in one crucial sense something rare: Here’s a war movie about rhetoric rather than battle scenes. Read full review

The Film Stage Ethan Vestby

Sep 12, 2017

Darkest Hour is pure, uncut Oscar bait that goes through every bullcrap great man biopic platitude imaginable in its two-hour runtime. The reason to rush to such a harsh judgement is perhaps because it’s so damn hard to understand the actual reason for making this film in the first place other than racking up gold statues. Read full review

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User Reviews

GinaK

Dec 12, 2017

Although this film is very traditional, I really enjoyed it. Gary Oldman gives a great performance as Churchill and he has an excellent supporting cast. In its way, it is a propaganda film, but it is also solid and engrossing in its story-telling and a lot of fun for history buffsAlthough this film is very traditional, I really enjoyed it. Gary Oldman gives a great performance as Churchill and he has an excellent supporting cast. In its way, it is a propaganda film, but it is also solid and engrossing in its story-telling and a lot of fun for history buffs especially. I liked it a lot better than the Dunkirk film, but perhaps it is a bit too perfect. Somehow the film doesn’t encourage you to realize that things could have gone very wrong if the British had not been lucky enough to have the right leader at the right time and one to whom the right things happened {like his serendipitous first and only trip on the London “Tubes”).… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

AndrewBurge

Apr 7, 2018

Joe Wright's 'Darkest Hour' might be the most obvious Oscar bait film of the year, especially when it comes down to Gary Oldman's impeccable and brave performance of the controversial Winston Churchill, but you know what? It worked! This is one of the best films of the year!

'Darkest Hour'Joe Wright's 'Darkest Hour' might be the most obvious Oscar bait film of the year, especially when it comes down to Gary Oldman's impeccable and brave performance of the controversial Winston Churchill, but you know what? It worked! This is one of the best films of the year!

'Darkest Hour' sets itself apart from other generic biopics by seeping the mannish personality of its lead character through nearly every single element, especially the soundtrack and the refined and polished cinematography, and mostly through its pace. It is rarely that a film inspired by real life events managed to thrill, as real life is often not very exciting, even from a political stand-off. But the grim situation in which the Allied Forces found themselves during the beginning of the Second World War its definitely made for the screen. The director, Joe Wright, and the screenwriter, Anthony McCarten were well aware of this, as they kept the historical accuracy without sacrificing excitement.

It is definitely a film which manages to thrill more than one which would take place in the actual battlefield. But the tensions between Churchill and his associates in the government is really tense and generates a consistent rhythm of adrenaline pumping. This rhythm is also conveyed by Churchill's nearly unbreakable will, which, thanks in part to Oldman's well deserved Oscar-winning performance, seeps an uplifting, glorious and patriotic tone, amidst the Allies being nearly wiped out!

In an age where world leaders are less and less trusted, 'Darkest Hour' is a proud example of historical leadership and eventual glory achieved by listening to the people (addendum to the scene in which the prime-minister rides the underground metro as a simple man). For him, riding the metro was an experience, as he confessed "I've never been on public transport[...] I know how to boil an egg but only because I've seen it done."

There have been many portrayals of the bulldog himself in cinema, but never was one so personal and so truthful but respectful at the same time.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

yosemite

Jan 9, 2018

This is a borderline great film. I gave it a 9 only because I don't know how close to actual history it clung to. Gary Oldman's portrayal of Churchill is Oscar worthy. He is in 90% of the film and is just great. The photography is spot on as is the directing and film editing. Telling theThis is a borderline great film. I gave it a 9 only because I don't know how close to actual history it clung to. Gary Oldman's portrayal of Churchill is Oscar worthy. He is in 90% of the film and is just great. The photography is spot on as is the directing and film editing. Telling the story through the eyes of Churchill's secretary was a good choice. The theater I went to seated 36 people. About 25 showed up and they were all "over 60". Does the under 60 group even know who Winston Churchill was ???… Expand

5 of 6 users found this helpful51

Creeper3455

Jan 21, 2018

Once upon a time,Joe Wright understood that the abomination known as "Pan (2015)" failed big time and decided to make a comeback with "Darkest Hour",a movie whose material and execution I would describe with an adjective 'Solid'.
After seeing countless versions of Winston Churchill,GaryOnce upon a time,Joe Wright understood that the abomination known as "Pan (2015)" failed big time and decided to make a comeback with "Darkest Hour",a movie whose material and execution I would describe with an adjective 'Solid'.
After seeing countless versions of Winston Churchill,Gary Oldman is probably the Churchill worthy of an Oscar,and to the makeup team 'credit where credit is due',because they somehow managed to transform Oldman's sweet-looking face into someone else.
The story was also easy to follow (kinda like the instructions of a LEGO Set),where its execution was going for a slow build-up to a delirious 3rd Act,with surprising moments of comedy that try to make the movie a little 'lighthearted' and parts that make it the 2nd movie of 2017 with some mentions of Dunkirk (that was indeed refreshing).
The soundtrack by Dario Marianelli was both catchy and the movie's only flaw (near the end) and it sure made a scene after the beginning the best part of the movie.
Summing everything up,Darkest Hour was a surprise (especially since this is my first Oscar Contender movie of 2017). Talking about Awards,I would compare this to Titanic,since both of these movies I would call 'Oscar Movies that don't really need that much recognition',since they'll be talked about for years to come. Joe Wright made a step-up over his last (horrible) effort and made an inspiring movie,with,as said,a Winston Churchill worthy of an Award.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

HopDoubleScotch

Apr 6, 2018

It wasn't perfect, god not nearly so. But that's no excuse at all to ignore the phenomenal, earth shattering performance given by Gary Oldman and Kristin Thomas as Mr. And Mrs. Churchill. The dark story of the first few months of Churchills term as Prime Minister shows us a theatrical (ButIt wasn't perfect, god not nearly so. But that's no excuse at all to ignore the phenomenal, earth shattering performance given by Gary Oldman and Kristin Thomas as Mr. And Mrs. Churchill. The dark story of the first few months of Churchills term as Prime Minister shows us a theatrical (But enjoyable) window into the struggles that were faced during the events of Operation Dynamo, and offers us a chance to see another take through the eyes of Joe Wright. Is it perfect? No
Is it Dramatic? God yes.

Should you see it? Without a doubt.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Mahmus

Sep 25, 2020

I was led to believe that Gary Oldman was in this movie and yet he's nowhere to be seen. What a scam.

This was fine. It's a very theatrical movie with lots of yelling that can get annoying, but the performances are all good, especially of course the completely unrecognizable Gary OldmanI was led to believe that Gary Oldman was in this movie and yet he's nowhere to be seen. What a scam.

This was fine. It's a very theatrical movie with lots of yelling that can get annoying, but the performances are all good, especially of course the completely unrecognizable Gary Oldman (more like Gary Old Man am I right?). The makeup is mindblowing.

It's unfocused and inconsistent in its style, but mostly makes up for it with a very strong third act, a delightful, though undoubtly fictional scene in a subway (let's just say the real Churchill would probably not have shaken hands with a black man) and Oldman's wonderful, though very hammy performance as Winston Churchill.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MarcAurele

Dec 23, 2017

This movie is borderline with insulting. So bad I left the theater after twenty minutes.

3 of 21 users found this helpful318

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53	#53 Most Discussed Movie of 2017
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