The critically acclaimed war drama is currently streaming on Amazon Prime and stars an Oscar-winning Hollywood A-lister in a completely unrecognisable avatar.
The lead actor has been hailed for their outstanding performance in the film (Image: Focus Features/Dumfries And Galloway Standard)
A compelling wartime period drama has been branded essential viewing by audiences and critics, featuring an exceptionally gifted actor whose portrayal earned him an Academy Award.
Helmed by Joe Wright from a script by Anthony McCarten, this 2017 historical drama chronicles Winston Churchill’s tenure as Prime Minister during the Second World War, specifically focusing on the critical May 1940 war cabinet crisis.
The film takes its name, Darkest Hour, from the phrase used to describe those perilous early war days, when British forces were stranded at Dunkirk, France teetered on the brink of collapse, and impossible odds faced Britain and the Allied Forces. Churchill himself had used the term ‘Darkest Hour’ in his public addresses during that period.
The official synopsis reads: “The fate of Western Europe hangs on Winston Churchill in the early days of World War II. The newly appointed British prime minister must decide whether to negotiate with Hitler or fight on against incredible odds. During the next four weeks in 1940, Churchill cements his legacy as his courageous decisions and leadership help change the course of world history.”
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Gary Oldman takes on the leading role of Winston Churchill, becoming utterly unrecognisable as the British PM through a transformation requiring over three hours daily to achieve, using intricate makeup and delicate prosthetics.
Speaking to ABC News, Oldman revealed of his dramatically transformed look in the film: “It took three hours, 15 minutes and then getting into the costume and everything, it was just under four hours, 48 days consecutively.”
He added: “And then I would be dressed as Winston by the time the director arrived and the other actors for rehearsal. So it was very odd. They did not see me as Gary for three months for the entire shooting because I was always in my makeup.”
Shedding the character at the end of each gruelling day proved equally challenging. The acclaimed actor explained to the publication it was a “very slow process” whereby a special solution was required to dissolve his appearance, resulting in approximately 18-hour working days.
Oldman confessed he genuinely feared he “would not have the stamina” to endure the entire shoot, yet somehow pushed through and “loved every minute of it”.
Raking in $150 million at the global box office against a production budget of $30 million, Darkest Hour proved an undeniable commercial triumph, reports the Express.
Oldman was joined by Kristin Scott Thomas, Lily James, Stephen Dillane, Ronald Pickup, and Ben Mendelsohn who rounded off a stellar supporting cast.
Beyond its box office success, Darkest Hour earned widespread critical acclaim, securing six Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Actor – the latter of which Oldman triumphantly claimed, along with the Oscar for makeup and hairstyling.
Boasting an impressive 84% critics’ approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Darkest Hour received widespread acclaim from reviewers, with one writing: “As a portrait of leadership at its most brilliant, thoughtful and morally courageous, “Darkest Hour” is the movie we need right now.”
Unsurprisingly, Oldman’s portrayal garnered particular praise, with one critic saying: “Oldman brings a wicked wit and compassionate heart to the role, one for which he seems almost superhumanly suited for – and that’s really saying something, consider how many great actors have played Churchill.”
Another impressed reviewer wrote: “It’s an amazing performance: the only star turn I’ve seen in which a famous actor visible in nearly every scene would be unrecognisable if we didn’t know his name already.”
Whilst a fourth critic succinctly said: “Darkest Hour is a one man show for Oldman. And what a show it is.”
Audience responses echoed similar sentiments, with one admirer writing: “A deeply gripping and entertaining vignette of leadership from one of history’s greatest. Superbly well cast and designed. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. Highly recommended.”
Another viewer said about the film: “One of those films that gives you goosebumps as Churchill bumbles his way into history (again). Oldman is superb as Churchill and the filing is so atmospheric you almost feel as if you’re in the House of Commons or his house with him. Kirsten Scott-Thomas and Lily James along with Ronald Pickup are perfect in their roles. If you’ve ever been in the War Rooms in London you can sense the claustrophobic hive of activity that unbelievably held the British war effort together. A film that I could watch more than once.”
A third admirer added: “Gary Oldman was indeed phenomenal on this one. And even without Gary’s performance, this would still be a worthy watch.”
Darkest Hour is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
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