Churchill's Secret

I scarcely ever like biopics, and as it turned out I wasn't going to start with "Churchill's Secret". The main reason is that they nearly always take a lend of a famous personality to provide audience motivation and engagement, rather than relying on the merits of the story and the screenplay. The Churchill legend is tapped here and it turns out to be a weak basis for a rather dull and slow movie. In some ways I didn't mind spending a couple of hours in this world, mainly because of the Chartwell setting which brought recollections of a past visit. The character actors do well with what material they have, and are well-costumed and coiffed. I think it's a weakness that the film focuses on family drama rather than evoking national and global tensions, which are referred to, but not effectively exploited. Lindsay Duncan is beautiful to look at as Clemmie, but she is rather unlikeable, which is a pity. Michael Gambon ticks a familiar box as a senior British male actor in portraying Churchill, but his depiction didn't especially evoke Churchill for me. It's a tough call, but it's one of the weaknesses making this film an "also ran".

A look at the later life of one of Britain's most famous Prime Ministers, Winston Churchill, running the country at 78, having recently had a stroke, is taken home by wife Clemmie to have absolute peace away from Cabinet. Desperately ill, he is Nursed by the wonderfully capable Nurse Millie Appleyard.

I have to say I am at a loss to read such poor reviews for Churchill's Secret, I too waited with huge anticipation for this drama, and I have to say I wasn't disappointed. A lavish production, a great story seldom told, I thought this was rather captivating. The part where Clemmie tells Millie about the death of the child was heartbreaking, but incredibly well acted.

What a phenomenal combination Michael Gambon and Lindsay Duncan are, two of my all time favourites, each showcasing their true majesty. Gambon added a gravitas, a stubbornness, and somehow a fragility into Churchill, when he is on screen, it's simple, you watch him. Lindsay Dunca, too, just awesome as his concerned, but very British wife, Clementine. Add the likes of Romola Garai, Bill Paterson and Tara Fitzgerald, and there was only really going to be one outcome.

Jonathan Smith's novel, brought beautifully to life by Stewart Harcourt and co. Worth the wait, and well worth seeing. It was moving, with a slight dash of humour, interesting, a brilliant piece of drama.

9/10

Surprisingly I enjoyed this more than some of the other movies about Churchill recently. Probably because it doesn't go over familiar ground that has been done to death. This movie concerns a stroke he had. His party's attempted to cover it up. Another interesting aspect is his children's reactions to his illness and recovery. It's not a flattering portrayal of his family life but as we do know there were some alcohol problems with his children.

Michael Gambon acts very well even if he isn't physically like Churchill as much as some of the other portrayals. Michael Macfayden steals some scenes as the belligerent drunk son. Lindsay Duncan is the most elegant looking Clementine of recent screen portrayals.

Worth a watch even if you think you have seen too many biopics about him.

The Brits do television so well. This is a classic example of that. The film covers the last years of Churchill's last term as prime minister after he had suffered a stroke. It's interesting that the filmmakers would focus on a bad period in the life of a national icon yet still pay great tribute to him while also staying historically accurate. (Can you imagine, for example, Hollywood doing a film based on Ronald Reagan's last years with Alzheimer's?) Nor did they sugarcoat Churchill's dysfunctional family. Randolph comes off as an arrogant, drunken jerk, which he was. There are superb performances all around. This is a very British and a very good motion picture!

The movie has some pretty good picture and landscapes and beautiful shots, actors all are stunning , romola wasnt at her best but was good, churchill himself , michel gambon has played so profissionaly and well, the mother of the family , linsay duncan was awesome and really acted well , like a strong mother and wife trying to hold the family and keep everyone calm and not to show any signs of weakness to upset or worry her dear ones, as i said in the title Matthew Macfadyen really killed it with a 10-15 min performance, churchil daughters i didnt get them , nor by acting nor the story speaking of story , well, didnt got me , i watched it for the actors , and even after finishing the movie , story never interested me.