What is the movie Darkest Hour about?
Darkest Hour (film) Darkest Hour is a 2017 war drama film directed by Joe Wright and written by Anthony McCarten. Set in May 1940, it stars Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill, and is an account of his early days as Prime Minister during World War II, while Nazi Germany 's Wehrmacht swept across Western Europe,...
Who is Tom Leonard in Darkest Hour?
There is a young man who is seen near Churchill at Chartwell and the underground War Rooms. The Darkest Hour cast names him “John Evans.” The name of another man in the cast, “Tom Leonard,” suggests nothing. He is the driver of Churchill’s car when the PM abruptly bolts and heads for the Underground.
Why is darkest hour set in World War II?
For Darkest Hour, McCarten chose to center the film around four crucial weeks of World War II when a leader’s words did, indeed, ignite the spirit of a nation. “Is it valid to say that if it had not been for Churchill’s skill as a communicator, the world would have been a far different place?”
What is the difference between Darkest Hour and Churchill?
Not to be confused with the film Churchill, also released in 2017, starring Brian Cox as Churchill. Darkest Hour is a 2017 war drama film directed by Joe Wright and written by Anthony McCarten.
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Who was Churchill's typist?
Elizabeth Nel (1917-2007) worked as Winston Churchill's personal secretary for four and half years during the Second World War, later retiring with her South African husband to Port Elizabeth, Cape Province.
What happened Elizabeth Layton?
Personal life and legacy. Elizabeth Layton was married twice and divorced once; she raised five children. She experienced depression for much of her life, leading to some psychiatric hospitalizations and multiple rounds of electroconvulsive therapy. Layton died in 1993, age 85, after a stroke.
Is the Darkest Hour a true story?
The situation in 1940 was as dire as depicted, but liberties were taken with the facts. The shouting matches over possible peace negotiations were fictional. The journey on the London Underground was also fictional, and there is evidence that many British people were not immediately inspired by Churchill's speeches.
Who plays Layton in Darkest Hour?
Lily JamesElizabeth Layton / Played byLily Chloe Ninette Thomson, better known by her stage name Lily James, is an English actress. She studied acting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and began her career in the British television series Just William. Wikipedia
How realistic is darkest hour?
The short answer is no, Winston Churchill is not accurately portrayed in Darkest Hour. Whenever real-life figures are portrayed in cinema, there is always speculation as to how true-to-life the said portrayal is. People are never perfectly good or bad. There are no Saurons or Voldemorts in our world.
Did the King dislike Churchill?
A quiet and reserved person, the King had grave doubts about Churchill and believed that he lacked judgement. Churchill had supported George's older brother, King Edward VIII, when he had abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee. This had particularly annoyed the Royal Family.
Did Churchill get on with King George?
George VI soon realised that Churchill was a man of stature as well as a certain charm, and such was the gravity of danger to Britain and the Commonwealth that the two were soon thrown together in mutual collaboration. In time this became one of friendship and mutual admiration.
How long was Churchill in his bunker?
The complex was only intended as a temporary refuge: it remained in 24/7 use for six years, and then the staff simply walked away leaving everything down to the bank of phones on the table of the map room, and Wing Commander John Heagerty's secret stash of sugar lumps in the bottom drawer of his desk.
Did Elizabeth Layton exist?
Typist-secretary Elizabeth Layton (brilliantly played by Lily James) did exist, but her appearing in 1940 is dramatic license. The real Elizabeth actually didn't join Churchill's staff until May 1941. And there is some small confusion about Downing Street Annexe and the more famous War Rooms.
Did Churchill's aide get run over?
Winston Churchill's secretary Venetia Scott gets fatally hit by a bus after stepping out in the fog. Poor Venetia never existed in real life. Indeed, both her life and death are a work of fiction, and her character is actually based on a number of different members of the prime minister's staff.
Is there a part 2 to the movie The Darkest Hour?
Darkest Hour Part II: Soldado.
What happened to Churchill after Gallipoli?
In 1915 he helped orchestrate the disastrous Dardanelles naval campaign and was also involved in the planning of the military landings on Gallipoli, both of which saw large losses. Following the failure of these campaigns, Churchill was demoted and resigned from government.
What was the darkest hour in history?
"The Darkest Hour" is a phrase used to refer to an early period of World War II, from approximately mid-1940 to mid-1941. While widely attributed to Winston Churchill, the origins of the phrase are unclear.
What happened to Lord Halifax after WWII?
After the war he was successively undersecretary of state for the colonies (1921–22), president of the Board of Education (1922–24), and minister of agriculture (1924–25). In 1925 he was appointed viceroy of India and raised to the peerage as Baron Irwin.
Did the King visit Churchill at home?
The King's late-night visit with Churchill never happened in real-life, nor did the immediate friendship that was created because of it.
Who is the actor in the movie Darkest Hour?
Darkest Hour is a 2017 war drama film directed by Joe Wright and written by Anthony McCarten. Set in May 1940, it stars Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill and is an account of his early days as prime minister during the Second World War and the May 1940 War Cabinet Crisis, while Nazi Germany 's Wehrmacht swept across Western Europe ...
What is the darkest hour?
For the 2011 science fiction film, see The Darkest Hour (film). Not to be confused with the film Churchill, also released in 2017, starring Brian Cox as Churchill. Darkest Hour is a 2017 war drama film directed by Joe Wright and written by Anthony McCarten.
How many cigars did the movie Darkest Hour use?
For his role as Churchill, Oldman spent over 200 hours having make-up applied, and smoked over 400 cigars (worth about $20,000) during filming.
Who played Winston Churchill in the movie Darkest Hour?
Darkest Hour is a 2017 war drama film directed by Joe Wright and written by Anthony McCarten. Set in May 1940, it stars Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill and is an account of his early days as prime minister during the Second World War and ...
When did Darkest Hour come out?
Darkest Hour was released on digital streaming platforms on 6 February 2018 and on Blu-ray, DVD and 4K UHD Blu-ray on 12 June 2018.
Why did Hirsch criticize the film?
Hirsch also criticised the film for "perpetuating the idea that Winston Churchill stood alone, at the Darkest Hour, as Nazi fascism encroached, with Britain a small and vulnerable nation isolated in the north Atlantic.
Who played Elizabeth Layton in the darkest hour?
They spent more time in Downing Street Annexe, but here in the War Rooms, Churchill (Gary Oldman) shows Elizabeth Layton (Lily James) the grim array of forces as the German blitzkrieg sweeps towards Dunkirk. (Focus Features)
Who played Clementine in the Darkest Hour?
Praise goes also to make-up artist Kazuhiro Tsuji, who came out of retirement to bring Churchill back to life. Kirstin Scott Thomas played an excellent Clementine, as did Lily James as Elizabeth Layton.
Where is John Evans in the Darkest Hour?
In the Darkest Hour filmscript, “John Evans” is first seen at Chartwell, showing around the newly arrived Miss Layton. The script describes him as “an immaculately-groomed rake…snobbishly thinks himself infinitely superior to the Elizabeth Laytons of the world.” (At times some thought of Jock Colville that way.
Who played Tom Leonard in the movie?
Neither “John Evans” (played by Joe Armstrong) nor “Tom Leonard” ( Eric MacLennan) were real characters. Evans, a private secretary seems closest in demeanor to John “Jock” Colville, private secretary in 1940-41, 1943-45 and 1951-55. Leonard represents a chauffeur from the government pool Churchill used during the war. Typist-secretary Elizabeth Layton (brilliantly played by Lily James) did exist, but her appearing in 1940 is dramatic license. The real Elizabeth actually didn’t join Churchill’s staff until May 1941. And there is some small confusion about Downing Street Annexe and the more famous War Rooms.
Who played Elizabeth in the 1940s?
Typist-secretary Elizabeth Layton (brilliantly played by Lily James) did exist, but her appearing in 1940 is dramatic license. The real Elizabeth actually didn’t join Churchill’s staff until May 1941. And there is some small confusion about Downing Street Annexe and the more famous War Rooms.
Who was the secretary of the War Rooms?
The War Rooms. In her first edition, Mr. Churchill’s Secretary, Elizabeth Layton Nel described the War Rooms: …below [the Annexe] there stretched two whole floors of “safety” accommodation.
Who played Elizabeth Layton in the book Winston Churchill?
The late Elizabeth Layton, a faithful wartime secretary, would love her portrayal by Lily James. Although not present until 1941, her character was probably selected for her singular prominence. Among many devoted stenographer-secretaries, she wrote with humor and eloquence about her experiences. Her book is well worth seeking out: Mr. Churchill’s Secretary (the original 1958 title), or the reprint, Winston Churchill by His Personal Secretary.
Who was the British prime minister in the darkest hour?
Churchill’s Speeches In Darkest Hour Provide A Master Class In Communication. On May 19, 1940, newly-appointed British prime minister, Winston Churchill, was editing his first speech to the public. With minutes to go before the microphone went live, Churchill was dictating edits to his typist and marking up his printed speech.
What is the best line in the movie Darkest Hour?
One of the best lines in the movie captures Churchill’s greatness: “He mobilized the English language and sent it into battle.”. In three speeches over the course of a month, Churchill turned around public opinion and gave the British people the courage to fight. Churchill’s speeches in Darkest Hour provide a master class in communication ...
Why did McCarten choose to center the film Darkest Hour?
For Darkest Hour, McCarten chose to center the film around four crucial weeks of World War II when a leader’s words did, indeed, ignite the spirit of a nation. “Is it valid to say that if it had not been for Churchill’s skill as a communicator, the world would have been a far different place?”. I asked.
What was Churchill's mission statement in the Darkest Hour?
Churchill’s speeches in Darkest Hour provide a master class in communication for any CEO or leader who wants to move people to action. The one word mission statement. On May 13, 1940, Churchill addressed the House of Commons in what’s become known as the “Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat,” speech. In it, Churchill poses a rhetorical question.
What was Churchill's speech in Dunkirk?
On June 4, 1940, Churchill gave one of the most stirring speeches of the twentieth century. “We shall go on to the end,” he resolved.
What was the movie Dunkirk about?
Small boats were mobilized by the British government to pick up 338,000 troops stranded on the coast of Northern France and carry them back across the English channel. The movie, Dunkirk, captures the harrowing escape. But rather than speak the words of defeat, Churchill reframed the event and turned it into call to arms.
Overview
Darkest Hour is a 2017 war drama film directed by Joe Wright and written by Anthony McCarten. The film is an account of Winston Churchill's early days as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the Second World War and the May 1940 War Cabinet Crisis, depicting his refusal to seek a peace treaty with Nazi Germany amid their advance into Western Europe. It stars Gary Oldman as Chur…
Plot
In May 1940, the opposition Labour Party in Parliament demands the resignation of British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain for being too weak in the face of the Nazi onslaught. Chamberlain tells Conservative Party colleagues he wants Lord Halifax as his successor, but Halifax does not feel he is right at that time. Chamberlain decides to choose the only man whom the opposition parties will accept as the leader of a national government: Winston Churchill, the First Lord of the …
Cast
• Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill
• Kristin Scott Thomas as Clementine Churchill
• Ben Mendelsohn as King George VI
• Lily James as Elizabeth Layton
Production
On 5 February 2015, it was announced that Working Title Films had acquired Darkest Hour, a speculative screenplay by The Theory of Everything screenwriter Anthony McCarten, about Winston Churchill in the early days of the Second World War.
On 29 March 2016, it was reported that Joe Wright was in talks to direct the fil…
Reception
Darkest Hour grossed $56.5 million in the United States and Canada, and $93.8 million in other countries (including $33.4 million in the UK), for a worldwide total of $150.2 million.
The film opened in its theatrical weekend alongside Coco and Call Me By Your Name in United States theatrical release to be Cinemascore did wisely ordinary …
Home media
Darkest Hour was released on digital streaming platforms on 6 February 2018 and on Blu-ray, DVD and 4K UHD Blu-ray on 12 June 2018.
Historical accuracy
Writing in Slate, historian and academic John Broich called Darkest Hour "a piece of historical fiction that undertakes a serious historical task", presenting the British decision to fight Hitler as a choice rather than an inevitability. The situation in 1940 was as dire as depicted, but liberties were taken with the facts. The shouting matches over possible peace negotiations were fictional. The journey on the London Underground was also fictional, and there is evidence that many British pe…
Sequel
Gary Oldman stated, in February 2018, that there was talk of a sequel to Darkest Hour that could also include Roosevelt (who had been voiced by David Strathairn in Darkest Hour) and take place during the Yalta Conference in 1945.