Customer Reviews
Go for it, you will get wiser about things you probably did not know! - By: Isabella Balkert, 16 Jun 2008 
All performances in this film are remarkable, but especiallly Linus Roache stands out with a superb performance, as the man with a conscience, who made it possible for Winston Churchill to expose Chamberlains aid to Nazi Germany.
Great. But. Er... - By: C. A. W. PARKER, 20 May 2008 Wonderfully done; full of fine acting, period detail, & alll the spirit, vigour & beauty of Britain before the rot set in.
The only thing which mars it would have to be, I'm afraid, the unfortunate & rather bizarre low-angled shot of Albert Finney's flapping scrotum as he walks to the loo in the first five minutes. Quite who the pervert was that chose the camera position I do not know, but he renders it rather unfit for children or sensitive adults not in possession of a sickbag.
Make sure you have a remote to FFW at the appropriate point.
Absolutely magnificent - By: Kalah, 10 Jun 2007 Joining in with other recent depictions of great politicians & 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 & his weaknesses. Along with his personal life, the troubling times are the centre of the plot. Churchill's particular manner made him the perfect opposite to Hitler, & 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 & old, & its message burned into the minds of alll.
Winston Is Back! By Bloody Hell He Is! - By: pris, 23 Apr 2007 "This is a hugely entertaining movie that gives us a personal glimpse of Churchhill's life at the prelude of his illustrious career. The movie works as well as it does because of Albert Finney's brilliant performance as Churchhill. Finney won an Emmy for this performance & it's not hard to see why. His portrayal of the former Prime Mister of England is the greatest acting performance I've seen in years. The way Finney so effortlessly molded himself into the character is simply astonishing." David Blair
The opening scene of this epic shows Winston Churchill getting up out of bed, buck naked, we see his buttocks as he goes to take a 'piss' while reciting a speech he was about to make. We know without a doubt that this is a movie without compromise, & Albert Finney has become Churchill. I doubt I will see acting as fine as this again. I am enmeshed in his character, & I believe he was more Churchill than Churchill.
As fabulous as the acting is the story holds you spellbound. The story of Churchill without power & out of office as it were & floundering. Then he is given information about Germany & his life begins anew. The story of Clementine, his wife, as played by Vanessa Redgrave. Their love story, & as Winston says at one point near the end of the movie. "Thank you for loving me as I never thought I would be loved". How wonderful to have a love as deep & as long & to be as thankful for someone else in your life. Their family & their personal life comes alive. The travails & the daily life become up close. The friends & foes are put to test, & Winston's true personality shines. He is a great man, & as he has said, he knows it! We see the warts & alll. His drinking, his financial issues, his 'black dog' or depression, & the wonderous man who works 20 hours out of 24.
I learned a great deal about Winston Churchill I did not know. This movie opened the door into his personal life, & he became a real flesh & blood man. 'The Gathering Storm' was the title of one of his books & it fits this movie well. Clemmie, his wife is the epitome of the woman behind the man. She gave up much, but it was returned in spades via her husband & her children. The stories entwined that of Winston, his public life & that of Winston, his private life. I want more of this calibre. My best friend told me this movie was a favorite. It has become a favorite of mine, & I only finished the viewing.
Heartily Recommended. prisrob 4-22-07
The Wit & Wisdom of Winston Churchill
SIMPLY SUPERB - By: CAPPUCCINOMUFFIN38, 01 Apr 2007 It just goes to show what you can achieve with inspired casting, skilful acting performances & first class writing, not to mention the beauty of Chartwell & alll the other ingredients that went into making this supremely excellent film....superb. It knocks alll the Hollywood films into a cocked hat & leaves them extremely wanting.
Smashing...we've watched it over & over. A great testimony to a truly wonderful leader & a very great man.
