The Gathering Storm (2002) (TV)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Richard Loncraine

Writers (WGA):

Larry Ramin (story) and
Hugh Whitemore (story) ...

Release Date:

27 April 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History

Tagline:

Germany was arming itself for war. But they didn't count on one man.

Plot:

A love story offering an intimate look inside the marriage of Winston and Clementine Churchill during a particularly troubled, though little-known, moment in their lives.

Plot Keywords:

Politics | Winston Churchill | Pre WWII | English Politics | United Kingdom

Awards:

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 12 wins & 21 nominations

Cast

Albert Finney	...	Winston Churchill
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Clemmie Churchill
Jim Broadbent	...	Desmond Morton
Linus Roache	...	Ralph Wigram
Lena Headey	...	Ava Wigram
Derek Jacobi	...	Stanley Baldwin
Ronnie Barker	...	David Inches
Tom Wilkinson	...	Sir Robert Vansittart
Celia Imrie	...	Violet Pearman
Hugh Bonneville	...	Ivo Pettifer
Gottfried John	...	Friedrich von Schroder
Anthony Brophy	...	Brendan Bracken
Edward Hardwicke	...	Mr. Wood
Tom Hiddleston	...	Randolph Churchill
Tim Bentinck	...	Marlborough (as Timothy Bentinck)

Also Known As:

The Lonely War (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

96 min | Germany:120 min (Filmfest Hamburg)

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color | Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Germany:12 | UK:12 (DVD/VHS release) | Singapore:PG | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Chartwell House, Westerham, Kent, England, UK

Company:

HBO Films

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The infamous speech Churchill wants to revise (and later delivers in the House of Commons) in the beginning of the film ("To see Mr Gandhi, a seductive Mid-Temple Lawyer ... posing as a half-naked fakir in a manner quite well known in the East, striding up the steps of the Vice-Regal palace to parley on equal terms with the representative of the King Emperor") was actually delivered in 1930, whereas the film starts some years later.

Quotes:

Winston Churchill: I'm the new First lord.
Military Guard: We know, sir.
Winston Churchill: How do you know?
Military Guard: A signal was sent to the fleet this afternoon, sir.
Winston Churchill: What signal?
Military Guard: Winston is back.
Winston Churchill: [chuckles] He bloody well is!

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2003) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Everybody Dance

Every once in a while...

A year ago, I read an extremely absorbing biography on Winston S Churchill, one of the best books I'd ever read. Two things sprung into my mind: 1) How come no one had ever filmed such an incredible character with such a historically involved life (not just the events around WWII: his whole life was riveting stuff!) into a classic? 2) How could anyone play HIM? Well every once in a while when you least expect it, you run into something by accident. Had it not been there, you'd never have even looked for it. Thank god for accidents! I saw this film on a British Airways flight. Every once in a while you'll find a real treasure. That was one of those moments. 1) Very accurate and well-written, this short film focused on the 1934-1939 period only, focusing on character dynamics and is one of the best character driven films I've ever seen. 2) Albert Finney! Albert Finney IS Churchill. The resemblance and voice are a 100% match. The acting is probably among the finest celebrity portrayals ever filmed... and as if that weren't enough, he is surrounded by a fantastic supporting cast doing their best (Redgrave as Clemmie Churchill in particular, though Jakobi, Broadbent and all the others deliver their fair share). Made for tv but boasting a comfortable 1:85 format and lush cinematography that only scream out how much this was destined to the big screen. One can only pray that cast and crew may unite for a bigger budget 3 hour piece also including WWII (or are we to expect a part 2 anyway, if so, all the better!). One can pray. Every once in a while, wishes are granted! :-)