Darkest Hour

Spoiler alert! Please do not read the following plot summary if you have not seen the film.In 1940, World War II has begun as German troops look to conquer Europe under the orders of Adolf Hitler. The British Parliament looks to replace the current prime minister, expressing their discontent with Neville Chamberlain (Ronald Pickup) who currently holds the position. They want a leader who can unite the opposition with the ruling party. They express that the Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax (Stephen Dillane) is best equipped. But Halifax says he’s not ready at that time. They then realize that the next option is Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman), but the men aren’t exactly happy with the choice.

It is Elizabeth Layton’s (Lily James) first day of work as secretary to Winston Churchill. He instructs her to type out a telegram to the French ambassador but get a phone call from the ambassador himself. They discuss that the German troops have invaded Holland and Belgium. Churchill tells Elizabeth to start a new telegram but isn’t happy with her abilities and shouts at her. She runs out of the room crying as Churchill's wife Clementine (Kristin Scott Thomas) sees her. Clementine tells Churchill that he has become very difficult and that she wants others to respect him. Churchill then meets with King George VI (Ben Mendelsohn) at Buckingham Palace who reluctantly offers him the position of Prime Minister. Churchill addresses the members of Parliament to tell them that he plans to go to war against the Germans, and disregards the previous discussions of peace talks, much to the Parliament’s discontent.

Churchill is informed of a situation in Dunkirk where 300,000 British troops are stranded. He decides to hide this news from the public for the moment. Churchill’s tactics don’t go down very well with the Parliament, so Halifax meets with King George personally to discuss removing Churchill from his position. Churchill tries to restore hope in the nation by giving a speech over the radio. But the truth is that Britain is beginning to retreat. Churchill begins to gain some positive momentum with the public when he is photographed making reverse V sign. Elizabeth informs him that this is a rude gesture in some parts of the country, although he meant it for ‘Victory’. They bond over this exchange.

After consulting US President Franklin Roosevelt, Churchill sends 4000 British men to rescue the 300,000 troops in Dunkirk. The US is unable to help, but Churchill decides this is the only way to salvage the situation. He also orders the Admiral of the Navy to send civilian boats to help with the rescue mission. Members of the ruling party discuss that peace talks are the only way to handle Adolf Hitler and the German invasion but Churchill stands his ground. Halifax gives Churchill 24 hours to change his mind, or he will resign. Churchill discusses the Dunkirk situation with Elizabeth as she types out a telegram about it. Soon Churchill learns that Belgium has surrendered, and France is soon to follow. Churchill now has to prepare for the invasion. He realizes he needs to consider Italy’s offer to mediate peace talks between Britain and Germany. King George visits Churchill to discuss this. He expresses his reluctance to appoint Churchill as PM but that Hitler was most afraid of him taking the position.

On his trip to Westminster, Churchill suddenly decides to ride the subway. Civilians are in awe of seeing Churchill among them. He asks them what they think of the situation and everyone appears to agree with fighting against the enemy instead of negotiating with them. This encounter leads Churchill to make up his mind. He addresses the Parliament again, in one of history’s most definitive speeches. He inspires them to fight to the end but to never surrender to the enemy. In closing texts, we learn that 300,000 troops were rescued from Dunkirk. Five years later Britain and its allies declared victory but Churchill was voted out of office in the general election later that year. The movie ends with the quote, "Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts."