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The Current War: Director's Cut

Original title: The Current War
  • 20172017
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 42min
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
24K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,184
210
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Nicholas Hoult, Michael Shannon, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Tom Holland in The Current War (2017)
Edison. Westinghouse. Tesla. Three brilliant visionaries set off in a charged battle for the future in The Current War, the epic story of the cutthroat competition that literally lit up the modern world.
Play trailer2:30
2 Videos
73 Photos
BiographyDramaHistory

The dramatic story of the cutthroat race between electricity titans Thomas A. Edison and George Westinghouse to determine whose electrical system would power the modern world.The dramatic story of the cutthroat race between electricity titans Thomas A. Edison and George Westinghouse to determine whose electrical system would power the modern world.The dramatic story of the cutthroat race between electricity titans Thomas A. Edison and George Westinghouse to determine whose electrical system would power the modern world.

IMDb RATING
6.5/10
24K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,184
210
  • Director
    • Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
  • Writer
    • Michael Mitnick
  • Stars
    • Benedict Cumberbatch
    • Oliver Powell
    • Sophia Ally
Top credits
  • Director
    • Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
  • Writer
    • Michael Mitnick
  • Stars
    • Benedict Cumberbatch
    • Oliver Powell
    • Sophia Ally
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 226User reviews
    • 118Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:30
    Official Trailer
    International Trailer
    Trailer 2:27
    International Trailer

    Photos73

    Benedict Cumberbatch and Tuppence Middleton in The Current War (2017)
    Benedict Cumberbatch in The Current War (2017)
    Michael Shannon in The Current War (2017)
    Benedict Cumberbatch and Louis Ashbourne Serkis in The Current War (2017)
    Benedict Cumberbatch in The Current War (2017)
    Benedict Cumberbatch at an event for The Current War (2017)
    Benedict Cumberbatch at an event for The Current War (2017)
    Benedict Cumberbatch and Leonard Adam at an event for The Current War (2017)
    Michael Shannon and Benedict Cumberbatch at an event for The Current War (2017)
    Nicholas Hoult at an event for The Current War (2017)
    Michael Shannon at an event for The Current War (2017)
    Benedict Cumberbatch at an event for The Current War (2017)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Benedict Cumberbatch
    Benedict Cumberbatch
    • Thomas Alva Edisonas Thomas Alva Edison
    Oliver Powell
    Oliver Powell
    • Leoas Leo
    Sophia Ally
    Sophia Ally
    • Dot (Younger)as Dot (Younger)
    Tuppence Middleton
    Tuppence Middleton
    • Mary Edisonas Mary Edison
    Woody Norman
    Woody Norman
    • Dash (Younger)as Dash (Younger)
    Tom Holland
    Tom Holland
    • Samuel Insullas Samuel Insull
    Matthew Macfadyen
    Matthew Macfadyen
    • J.P. Morganas J.P. Morgan
    Dominic Coleman
    Dominic Coleman
    • White House Butleras White House Butler
    Corey Johnson
    Corey Johnson
    • President Chester A. Arthuras President Chester A. Arthur
    Katherine Waterston
    Katherine Waterston
    • Marguerite Westinghouseas Marguerite Westinghouse
    Michael Shannon
    Michael Shannon
    • George Westinghouseas George Westinghouse
    Stanley Townsend
    Stanley Townsend
    • Franklin Popeas Franklin Pope
    Nicholas Hoult
    Nicholas Hoult
    • Nikola Teslaas Nikola Tesla
    Emma Davies
    Emma Davies
    • Female Reporteras Female Reporter
    Nigel Whitmey
    Nigel Whitmey
    • Doctor Grandoffas Doctor Grandoff
    Simon Manyonda
    Simon Manyonda
    • Lewis Latimeras Lewis Latimer
    Celyn Jones
    Celyn Jones
    • Sherman Quincyas Sherman Quincy
    Iain McKee
    Iain McKee
    • Reporteras Reporter
    • Director
      • Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
    • Writer
      • Michael Mitnick
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    Storyline

    Edit
    Three brilliant visionaries set off in a charged battle for the future in The Current War, the epic story of the cutthroat competition that literally lit up the modern world. Benedict Cumberbatch is Thomas Edison, the celebrity inventor on the verge of bringing electricity to Manhattan with his radical new DC technology. On the eve of triumph, his plans are upended by charismatic businessman George Westinghouse (Michael Shannon), who believes he and his partner, the upstart genius Nikola Tesla (Nicholas Hoult), have a superior idea for how to rapidly electrify America: with AC current. As Edison and Westinghouse grapple for who will power the nation, they spark one of the first and greatest corporate feuds in American history, establishing for future Titans of Industry the need to break all the rules. Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl) with Producer Timur Bekmambetov, Basil Iwanyk and Executive Producer Martin Scorsese, The Current War also stars Katherine Waterston, Tom Holland, Matthew Macfadyen and Tuppence Middleton.
    world's fair1893 columbian expositionbased on true storylens flareclose up of eyes293 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Only one could power the world.
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Drama
      • History
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for some violent content and thematic elements
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2017 and was originally supposed to be released in U.S. theaters in November 2017 . However, after Harvey Weinstein was accused of sexual misconduct and rape by several women in a detailed article published by the New York Times in October 2017, the Weinstein Co. scrapped the original release date and sold the film to Lantern Entertainment, who later sold the film's U.S. distribution rights to 101 Studios. The film would finally be shown in movie theaters in Europe in July 2019 and the U.S. in October 2019.
    • Goofs
      The film is set in a time period spanning the 1880s and 1890s. Maps shown in the film show the states of Utah, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona, which didn't become a state until between 1896 and 1912.
    • Quotes

      Samuel Insull: So, what's your trade?

      Nikola Tesla: I fix problems for idiots.

    • Alternate versions
      The film originally premiered at numerous festival and was then shelved for 2 years until a re-edited version (titled "The Current War: The Director's Cut") was released theatrically in 2019
    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Benedict Cumberbatch/Savannah Guthrie/Andy Grammer feat. Lunchmoney Lewis (2017)
    • Soundtracks
      Autumn 3
      Written by Max Richter

      Performed by Max Richter, Daniel Hope, Raphael Alpermann, Konzerthaus Kammerorchester Berlin, Andre De Ridder (as André de Ridder)

      Published by Mute Song Limited

      Courtesy of Deutsche Grammophon GmbH under license from Universal Music Enterprises

    User reviews226

    Review
    Top review
    It's a shame
    Hollywood always makes movies that represents Americans (or in this case born-American-capitalist) as a heros, whether that's true or not...Real hero in this "current war" is undoubtedly biggest mind in history of humankind - Serbian scientist Nikola Tesla, who's totally sidelined in America's educational system, while Edison (who stole from him) is a God...This movie doesn't help...Sportswise saying, it's like it you're comparing Jusein Bolt and Justin Gatlin...First one is obviously the best, second one is two-times (caught!!!) cheater, but he's an American, so I doubt that in, say, 15 years from now, if Hollywood decides to make movie about their rivalry, Gatelin would be shown as a villain...I really hope that some day someone will make movie that Tesla really deserves.
    helpful•496
    150
    • crnoglavacmilos
    • Jun 26, 2019

    FAQ1

    • If this is a 2017 show, why do we have to wait until October to see it?This is one I cannot wait to see, the story fascinates me.

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 25, 2019 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Russia
      • United Kingdom
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Instagram
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • The Current War
    • Filming locations
      • Cragside House, Rothbury, Northumberland, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Bazelevs Production
      • Film Rites
      • Fourth Floor Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $30,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $5,979,540
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,633,717
      • Oct 27, 2019
    • Gross worldwide
      • $12,217,160
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 42min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

    Related news

    Alfonso Gomez-Rejon to Direct Adaptation of Jonathan Lethem’s ‘The Fortress of Solitude’ at Amazon
    Alfonso Gomez-Rejon to Direct Adaptation of Jonathan Lethem’s ‘The Fortress of Solitude’ at Amazon
    Jul 27The Wrap
    Alfonso Gomez-Rejon Sets ‘The Fortress of Solitude’ Film Adaptation at Amazon (Exclusive)
    Alfonso Gomez-Rejon Sets ‘The Fortress of Solitude’ Film Adaptation at Amazon (Exclusive)
    Jul 27Variety Film + TV

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