Their Finest (2016)

A former secretary, newly appointed as a scriptwriter for propaganda films, joins the cast and crew of a major production while the Blitz rages around them.

Director:

Lone Scherfig

Writers:

Gaby Chiappe (screenplay by), Lissa Evans (based on the novel "Their Finest Hour and a Half" by)

Stars:

Gemma Arterton, Sam Claflin, Bill Nighy

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sam Claflin	...	Tom Buckley
Gemma Arterton	...	Catrin Cole
Nicholas Murchie	...	Bus Conductor
Richard E. Grant	...	Roger Swain
Henry Goodman	...	Gabriel Baker
Rachael Stirling	...	Phyl Moore
Jack Huston	...	Ellis Cole
Bill Nighy	...	Ambrose Hilliard
Amanda Root	...	Cecy / Mrs Brown (Careless Talk Film)
Patrick Gibson	...	Rex, The Clapper Loader
Darren Clarke	...	The Gaffer
Ed Birch	...	Walter, The Director (Careless Talk Film)
Lissa Evans	...	Make-Up Woman (Careless Talk Film)
Richard Bevan	...	Mr. Richards (Dubbing Editor)
Gaby Chiappe	...	Dolly (Carrot Film)

Storyline

During the London Blitz of World War II, Catrin Cole is recruited by the British Ministry of Information to write scripts for propaganda films that the public will actually watch without scoffing. In the line of her new duties, Cole investigates the story of two young women who supposedly piloted a boat in the Dunkirk Evacuation. Although it proved a complete misapprehension, the story becomes the basis for a fictional film with some possible appeal. As Cole labors to write the script with her new colleagues such as Tom Buckley, veteran actor Ambrose Hilliard must accept that his days as a leading man are over as he joins the project. Together, this disparate trio must struggle against such complications such as sexism against Cole, jealous relatives, and political interference in their artistic decisions even as London endures the bombs of the enemy. In the face of those challenges, they share a hope to contribute something meaningful in this time of war and in their own lives.

---

Plot Keywords:

propaganda film | actor | london blitz | screenwriter | sexism | 

---

Taglines:

In the fight for freedom everyone played a part

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance | War

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language and a scene of sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [Germany]

Country:

UK Sweden

Language:

English Hungarian Polish French

Release Date:

7 April 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

Their Finest Hour

Filming Locations:

Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK

Box Office

Budget:

€10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$76,197, 7 April 2017, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$3,595,841, 16 June 2017

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$12,313,591, 7 June 2018

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Films,Welsh Government,Pinewood Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sam Claflin, Rachael Stirling and Eddie Marsan previously appeared together in Snow White and the Huntsman (2012).

---

Goofs

When Catrin Cole exits an Underground Station an Air Raid is starting and Air Raid Sirens are sounding; however they are not broadcasting the rising and falling note of the "Air Attack Warning", but the constant high pitched note of the "All Clear" which was/ would be sounded after danger had passed.

---

Quotes

Ambrose Hilliard: [walks into the frame during a shoot]
Walter, The Director (Careless Talk Film): Cut! Can someone please get Mr. Hilliard out of Dunkirk?

---

Connections

References The Four Feathers (1939)

---

Soundtracks

String Quintet in A Minor, Op.1, B.7 : Il Lento
Written by Antonín Dvorák
Performed by Vlach Quartet Prague

User Reviews

A perfectly fine film that's generally enjoyable but ultimately not all that captivating.

'Their Finest (2017' is certainly too long, with its two-hour run-time honestly feeling more like three-hours. It also isn't a particularly compelling film, it doesn't 'grab' you and keep you captivated throughout. It is a perfectly decent picture, though. It's well made and generally enjoyable, despite its structural and pacing issues. It's just that it is only entertaining up to a point because it is essentially a passive experience, lacking the connection required to make you truly care. 6/10