“Darkest Hour” is inspiring .. and mostly family-friendly

Nazi Germany is on the move, but everyone in 1940 Britain can rest easy. Winston Churchill is finally at the helm as prime minister.

If it were only that simple.

The courageous and resolute Churchill we’ve learned about in history books is certainly courageous and resolute in Darkest Hour (PG-13) – a biographical movie now in theaters – but he has few supporters.

“We have a drunkard at the wheel,” says one members of Parliament.

“I wouldn’t let him borrow my bicycle,” says another.

Even King George VI doesn’t trust Churchill, instead supporting his rivals, including predecessor Neville Chamberlain.

“Winston lacks judgment,” the king says.

The fretting is no small matter. Hitler has conquered most of Western Europe and is on the verge of occupying France. Britain likely is next. As we learn in Darkest Hour, Chamberlain and a handful of powerful MPs – all members of Churchill’s own party – are plotting to remove him from power. Their goal: Sign another peace agreement with Hitler and hope for the best. Churchill, though, is determined to go down fighting – even though his entire army is surrounded on the beaches of Dunkirk, France.

“You cannot reason with a tiger when your head is in its mouth!” he tells his own party.

Darkest Hour stars Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight) as Churchill; Kristin Scott Thomas (Four Weddings and a Funeral) as his wife, Clemmie; Ben Mendelsohn (Rogue One, The Dark Knight Rises) as King George VI; and Lily James (Cinderella, Downton Abbey) as Churchill’s young secretary, Elizabeth Layton.

It’s one of the most inspiring biographies I’ve seen, and it succeeds largely because it depicts elements of Churchill’s story many Americans don’t know. He came to power following a coup and then nearly was toppled in a coup. He had to fight isolationist and dove-like tendencies within his Conservative Party, despite the ominous threat from Hitler. And he was a man full of weaknesses, including fear and doubt.

Of course, likely any Hollywood film based on real events, it’s full of some fiction, too. Stay tuned for those details.

Warning: spoilers!

Violence/Disturbing

Minimal. For a film based on a war era, there is a surprising lack of violence. That’s because most of the scenes take place in Parliament, in Churchill’s home, or on the streets of Britain. But we do watch several bombs drop, and we do see a field hospital with several wounded men. We also hear talk of war strategy, including whether some men should be sacrificed so a larger number will survive.  

Sexuality/Sensuality/Nudity

Minimal. We hear Churchill in the bathtub, and we then see the bottom half of his bear legs walk across the floor.

Coarse Language

Minimal. I counted only a handful of coarse words: d—n (3), misuse of God (2). There are also several uses of British words such as “bloody,” “bum” and “bugger.” The phrase “up your bum” is heard a few times in one scene in reference to something Churchill naively did in a newspaper picture. (He showed photographers a backwards peace sign, which at the time was considered vulgar.)   

Other Positive Elements

The love between Churchill and his wife is obvious. During one poignant scene after he makes his secretary cry, his wife scolds him and says: You aren’t as nice as you once were. “You’ve become rough. … I want others to love and respect you as I do.”

To his credit, Churchill learns to treat his young secretary gentler, and they become a good team.

During his speeches, we also hear a couple of references to God.

Other Negative Elements

Churchill smokes (cigars) often, drinks often, and eats a lot of unhealthy food, too. When the king asks him how he manages to drink so much – including drinking in the morning – Churchill answers, “Practice.”  

Other Stuff You Might Want To Know

The film’s overarching message is true to history, but some of the scenes are fictional. Specifically, a scene in which Churchill boards a subway and talks to everyday British citizens – a scene that led me to tears – is fictional.

Life Lessons

The on-screen Churchill provides us lessons on courage, determination, steadfastness, and overcoming fear and doubt. It also gives us a solid example on opposing evil.

Worldview

When Christians debate the necessity of war, World War II is often cited as an example of a just war. Consider: A murderous mad man was marching across Europe, killing indiscriminately and wiping out an entire ethnic class. What would the world look like today if Britain and Churchill hadn’t stood firm?

War is a terrible thing, but in a fallen war, it is sometimes necessary (Ecclesiastes 3:8). After all, one of the primary responsibilities of government is to protect its citizens (Romans 13:1-4). Sometimes, such efforts won’t be successful, but thankfully during the 1940s, it was.

The movie also tosses a few ethical dilemmas our way. For example, Churchill must decide if he will send a group of 4,000 soldiers to their near-certain-death in order to distract the Germans and protect 300,000 men at Dunkirk.

What I Liked

Learning about the real Churchill – the one who had everyday struggles just like the rest of us. Additionally, the Parliament scenes are impressive. I also enjoyed the back-and-forth between Churchill and those around him, including his wife, his secretary and the king. Oldman and James are marvelous in their roles.

What I Didn’t Like

The overtly fictional stuff that was inserted into the film. Churchill’s story is already entertaining. Why make something up?

Family-Friendly?

Darkest Hour is suitable for older children, provided parents don’t mind them hearing discussions of war and a few British slang words. Younger children likely would be bored.

Thumbs Up … Or Down?

Thumbs up.

Discussion Questions

1. Was World War II necessary and justified? Explain your answer.
2. Name a war you believe wasn’t a just war.
3. Why was Churchill so persuasive? And why did he intimidate people?
4. What did you think about Churchill’s health choices – specifically his smoking and drinking?
5. Did Churchill make the right choice?
6. Do fictional scenes in biographical movies trouble you? Why or why not?

Entertainment rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Family-friendly rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Darkest hour is rated PG-13 for some thematic elements.