Oh My!!!! Darkest Hour: (Churchill movie) Trailer!!
“We shall fight in France, we shall fight in the seas and in the oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender…” – Winston Churchill, June 4, 1940
The film, that opened nationwide Friday, begins as the British Parliament, staggering from Hitler’s early victories in Europe in 1939 and 1940, forces Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain out of office. Most of the high-ranking parliament leaders want Viscount Halifax, a close friend of King George VI, to succeed him, but he does not have enough support. They turn, reluctantly, to Winston Churchill, 66, longtime, blustery member of parliament, who has a lot of enemies and is a curmudgeon who is hard to love, as admitted even by his American wife.
Churchill plunges into the leadership of his country in the spring of 1940, a year before the U.S. enters the war, and as he sits down that first day the British army of nearly 400,000 men is stranded on the beaches of Dunkirk, in northern France, with no visible means of escape and Belgium and France are about to be overrun. The political and military situation is as bleak as it could be.
What do we find Churchill doing? He drinks (he DOES drink), he tries to woo his cat from beneath his bed, he squabbles with his new secretary, argues with his wife and puffs away on a thousand cigars.
cont'd...
http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/167798
I cannot wait. THIS will be the film that actually makes me want to take my damn ass out to the cinema!
WOW!!!!
= new reply since forum marked as read
a film expert about it last night. The coverage and trailer look excellent, esp. with superb Gary Oldman in the role. Thanks for posting. We have a date set this week to watch the new film "Dunkirk" on Pay-Per View TV.
I've wondered when we'll see a quality production on FDR and his administration particularly during the Great Depression and WWII.
There've been several dramatizations of US presidents in the last decade- 'Lincoln' by Spielberg; LBJ in 'All the Way' on HBO TV; and 'W', a biopic of Bush. Long past due is a quality work about the Hyde Park, NY and New Deal American legend.
------
Author Lynne Olson's new book, "CITIZENS OF LONDON" (2017) focuses on the relationships and times of prominent WWII American figures Edward R. Murrow, the London-based CBS Radio News Head; wealthy FDR appointee Averell Harriman; and John Winant, US Ambassador to Britain. Also included, Churchill's personal circle, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower and more.
CITIZENS OF LONDON: THE AMERICANS WHO STOOD WITH BRITAIN IN ITS DARKEST FINEST HOUR, By Lynne Olson
Powells Book Review
"The Anglo-American alliance in WWII was not inevitable, writes former Baltimore Sun correspondent Olson (Troublesome Young Men). In this ingenious history, she emphasizes the role of three prominent Americans living in London who helped bring it about. Best known was Edward R. Murrow, head of CBS radio's European bureau after 1937. His pioneering live broadcasts during the blitz made him a celebrity, and Olson portrays a man who worked tirelessly to win American support for Britain. Most admirable of the three was John Winant, appointed American ambassador in 1941. A true humanitarian, he skillfully helped craft the British-American alliance. And most amusing was Averell Harriman, beginning a long public service career. In 1941, FDR sent the wealthy, ambitious playboy to London to oversee Lend-Lease aid. He loved the job, but made no personal sacrifices, living a luxurious life as he hobnobbed with world leaders and carried on an affair with Churchill's daughter-in-law. Olson, an insightful historian, contrasts the idealism of Winant and Murrow with the pragmatism of Harriman. But all three men were colorful, larger-than-life figures, and Olson's absorbing narrative does them justice. 16 pages of b&w photos." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
Synopsis: From the acclaimed author of "Troublesome Young Men" comes a major new World War II history that describes the developments of America's crucial wartime alliance with England that became so decisive in defeating Hitler. MORE...
http://www.powells.com/book/citizens-of-london-the-americans-who-stood-with-britain-in-its-darkest-finest-hour-9781400067589
