Search - The Gathering Storm on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 7/3/2024...

Weird out the gate and then dragged along!

Destiny commands. We must obey.

Steven Hellerstedt | 04/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"THE GATHERING STORM is a compelling look at the lion in wilderness. The lion, of course, is Winston Churchill (Albert Finney) and the wilderness is the political exclusion he endured circa 1938-39. It was during those years that Germany rearmed at an alarming rate; England slept while Adolf Hitler plotted. It was also a time that found Churchill gadflying from opposition to Indian independence to futilely warning England, and the world, about the newly dangerous Nazi Germany.

Such is the political context TGS takes place in, but the movie devotes most of its 90-some minutes to domestic life at Chartwell, Churchill's country estate and the place he amassed and assessed the intelligence on Germany fed to him by a variety of sources, most notably Foreign Office official Ralph Wigram (Linus Roache). Vanessa Redgrave plays Churchill's wife Clemmie, a woman who was as much a match for her famous husband as Redgrave is a match for the superb Finney.

THE GATHERING STORM won't teach you all that much about English politics on the eve of World War II, or even that much about Churchill the politician. As a character study of a complex politician it's simply brilliant, and strongly recommended.

"

CHURCHILL ALIVE AGAIN!

H. F. Corbin | 09/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I first heard that Albert Finney would play Sir Winston Churchill in "The Gathering Storm" I was disappointed and wondered how he could pull it off. Still I watched the movie and the first appearance of Mr. Finney on screen as the venerable and legendary British hero put all of my fears to rest. Winston was alive again. The same can be said for the performance of Vanessa Redgrave as Clementine Churchill.The movie is filled with facts about Churchill's activities leading up to war with Germany, his intelligence activities and his relationship with his wife and family. The film is a must have for all Churchillophiles."

Albert Finney is Superb as Churchill!

H. F. Corbin | ATLANTA, GA USA | 04/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rarely does an actor capture the essence of someone so much bigger than life as was Sir Winston Churchill, but Albert Finney achieves the nearly impossible-- he becomes Churchill and manages to dominate practically every frame of this HBO video even against the likes of someone as talented as Vanessa Redgrave, who plays his beloved "Clemmie" Churchill. Ms. Redgrave does rise to the occasion as she, as we say, eats up the furniture when Finney accuses her of being selfish. She roars something to the effect that "don't you dare call me selfish when I have lived with you for 26 years," These two fine actors are joined by a great supporting cast in this beautifully filmed movie. The action covers a brief time in Churchill's life when Hitler is rising to power in Germany. Churchill is having financial difficulties, is plagued by what he calls the "black dog" of depression and cannot convince the current prime minister that Hitler is an enormous threat to the security of England.Finney here joins other over 50, overweight actors (think Kathy Bates and Jack Nicholson)who bare their all for art. This movie won three Emmys, which were richly deserved."