Churchill's Finest Hour

Taking it's title from the first volume of Winston Churchill's history of World War II, The Gathering Storm is a lavishly produced, Tour de Force that captures an intriguing period in the life of one of history's most celebrated figures. This HBO original movie premiered in 2002, and won 3 Emmy Awards for best made for television movie, best performance by a lead actor in a movie or mini series for Albert Finney, and best screenplay. Credit should be given to Executive Producer Ridley Scott (Gladiator/Black Hawk Down) for garnering a grand total of 24 Emmy Award nominations for this stylish period piece.

The film chronicles the events leading up to World War II, when at age 60, Winston Churchill is facing a lull in his political career and mounting personal debts in the aftermath of the Great Depression. As an aging Elder Statesman, Churchill is fighting to maintain his authority as he begins to recognize the threat to Great Britain and Europe posed by Hitler and Nazi Germany. This is in direct opposition to Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin (Sir Derek Jacobi) and the majority of the Parliament, who wish, at all cost to avoid a second great war.

Churchill gains an ally when he is introduced to a bureaucrat in the Foreign Office Ralph Wigrum, (Linus Roache) who smuggles documents to him that prove Germany's efforts to build up their arsenal. Eventually, Churchill's critics realize that he is on the right track. When Baldwin's predecessor Neville Chamberlain declares war on Germany, he appoints Churchill First Lord of the Admiralty, and the rest as they say, is history.

An equally compelling subplot involves Churchill's relationship with his long suffering, headstrong, wife Clementine. (Vanessa Redgrave) While Churchill is portrayed by the great Albert Finney as a demanding, hard working, power hungry, tyrant; it is Clemmie who enables him to maintain his humanity in this intimate portrait of the Churchill's volatile marriage. Churchill is fiercely devoted to the couple's country home, Chartwell, although it is rapidly depleting the family's financial resources. Yet, he cannot dream of leaving, as he beckons Clemmie to the balcony that frames a breathtaking view of the English countryside which symbolizes Churchill's British sensibilities and patriotism.

The film focuses on a beautiful love story, that captures Clemmie's often ambivalent feelings toward Churchill, and his battles with a clinical depression that plagued him during this period of his life. When Clemmie leaves for an extended vacation to the Philippines, Churchill accuses her of being selfish, even though, it is Clemmie who has devoted her life to supporting his career. When she leaves with a handsome, much younger travel companion, Churchill is hounded by jealousy, until Clemmie returns and dispels his suspicions.

Screenwriter Hugh Whitemore (Jane Eyre) does a splendid job, making use of sparse dialog and powerful character development, in his taut, well- crafted, script. Churchill really comes to life in his stormy speeches on the floor of the Parliament. The screenplay is complemented by a magnificent musical score and elaborate production, featuring stunning photography of London and the beautiful landscape surrounding Churchill's Chartwell estate.

Albert Finney expertly captures Churchill's strength of character and vulnerability as well as his mannerism, although his speech is a bit garbled and difficult to understand at times. The incomparable Vanessa Redgrave is equally scintillating as Clementine, in an understated performance that contrasts perfectly with Finney's bold personification of Churchill.

In the end, Churchill claims his redemption as he enters the Admiralty headquarters and informs the guard that he is the new First Lord. The guard advises him that the Navy has already received the message, "Winston is back." The viewer can't help but revel in Churchill's triumphant reply, "And so he bloody well is!"