The Gathering Storm

TV movies often get a bad rap. Some of them are very good. But there was a slew of really terrible ones to give them such a terrible reputation, and The Gathering Storm was one of them. Richard Burton plays Winston Churchill, but unlike other people who attempt over-the-top Churchill impressions, Burton just sounds like himself.

The script is as boring as the plot, which follows Churchill's political role in the years leading up to WWII. I actually couldn't get through the entire thing. Much of the movie was fast-forwarded, but I didn't escape without suffering through a ridiculously campy temper tantrum from Ian Bannen as Hitler. The movie ends with a very tired sounding "Victory at all costs" speech. I'm pretty sure any other Churchill movie would be better than this one, so take your pick.

This is no monumental pretentious heroic account of the difficult years that brought Churchill into office, but rather more like a concise documentary, leaving however plenty of space for great acting, mainly on the part of Richard Burton, who uses Churchill well, but also of Robert Hardy as a suave Ribbentrop, Ian Bannen as a monstrous Hitler, Virginia McKenna as lovely as ever as a patient and forbearing Clementine and even Edward Evans giving a striking recreation of the indomitable Lloyd George at the most critical moment of Neville Chamberlain's twilight. The main importance is given to the dialogue, including many of Churchill's own most important words, making the film highly enjoyable as a theatrical drama - everyone is perfect. The whole production is further enhanced and brilliantly orchestrated by the borrowing of Saint-Saëns' Organ Symphony, which matches Burton andf Churchill perfectly.

Burton gets the speeches but it is another case of him going through the motions for the most part and collecting the fee. By 1974 he had been warned to stop drinking but failed to follow doctor's orders. Alcohol rules all his performances after 1974. If you want to see an actor play Churchill watch Albert Finney in 'The Gathering Storm.' He takes the role seriously. Virginia McKenna is the saving grace of this film and the other supporting actors play their parts well. Burton could have given a defining performance here but as usual in his final years all ambition had long gone. Compare this with his performances in his earlier work and it makes for depressing viewing. Robert Hardy who has played the most Churchill roles on TV has a supporting part here. How he must have cringed during the recording!

Made for television in 1974 but non the less rather well-made and supported by great actors. Richard Burton stars as Sir Winston Churchill in this epic which spans the pre-war years of 1936-40. Following Churchill from being both ignored and ridiculed to the point where he is asked to lead the British nation, The gathering storm is interesting, fascinating and a great document of history. Richard Burton gives a powerful and fully believable performance, one of his better in the 1970s. 6/10

COMMENTS

watchable TV movie is obviously low budget

PROS

Good Performance by Richard Burton with a barnstorming final speech.

CONS

Feels low budget, more a televised play than a film. Acting is variable (apart from Burton) and script needed more polish.

6/10