Release: 2024-04-18
Runtime: 2h 00m (120 minutes)
During World War II, the British Army assigns a group of competent soldiers to carry out a mission against the Nazi forces behind enemy lines... A true story about a secret British WWII organization – the Special Operations Executive. Founded by Winston Churchill, their irregular warfare against the Germans helped to change the course of the war, and gave birth to modern black operations.
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Genres: Action, Comedy, War
Cast: Henry Cavill, Alan Ritchson, Eiza González, more
Henry Cavill
as Gus March-Phillips
Alan Ritchson
as Anders Lassen
Eiza González
as Marjorie Stewart
Cary Elwes
as Brigadier Gubbins 'M'
Alex Pettyfer
as Geoffrey Appleyard
Til Schweiger
as Heinrich Luhr
Hero Fiennes Tiffin
as Henry Hayes
James Wilby
as Viscount Algernon
Rory Kinnear
as Winston Churchill
Freddie Fox
as Ian Fleming
Babs Olusanmokun
as Mr. Heron
Henry Zaga
as Captain Binea
During World War II, the British Army assigns a group of competent soldiers to carry out a mission against the Nazi forces behind enemy lines... A true story about a secret British WWII organization – the Special Operations Executive. Founded by Winston Churchill, their irregular warfare against the Germans helped to change the course of the war, and gave birth to modern black operations.
Discover the first special forces mission in history.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is an action-comedy film directed and co-written by Guy Ritchie. The movie features a star-studded cast, including Henry Cavill, Eiza González, Alan Ritchson, Henry Golding, and Alex Pettyfer. The film is based on the book Churchill's Secret Warriors: The Explosive True Story of the Special Forces Desperadoes of WWII by Damien Lewis. It dramatizes a fictional take on the role of Winston Churchill's Special Operations Executive during World War II.
This film made its debut in New York City on 13 April 2024 and was released in U.S. theaters on 19 April 2024. Although it received favorable reviews from critics, it struggled at the box office, earning only $27.3 million against a budget of $60 million.
The plot unfolds in late 1941 when the United Kingdom is trying to fend off Nazi Germany's advances across Europe. With London facing consistent bombing raids, Brigadier Colin Gubbins, indirectly supported by Prime Minister Winston Churchill, prepares for Operation Postmaster. This covert operation aims to sabotage German U-boats resupplying on the Spanish-controlled island of Fernando Po.
Gubbins recruits Gus March-Phillips to form a team tasked with destroying an Italian supply ship, the Duchessa d'Aosta. The mission leads Gus and his team, comprised of Graham Hayes, Freddy Alvarez, and Danish officer Anders Lassen, on a dangerous journey to Fernando Po. When they discover that SOE agent Geoffrey Appleyard has been captured, the team decides to divert their course for a rescue.
Meanwhile, Marjorie Stewart and Richard Heron arrive early on Fernando Po to gather support for Gus's mission. As they navigate through a web of deception, they learn of the Duchessa's schedule change, prompting Gus to take risks by sailing through a British naval blockade. The raid ultimately succeeds, though they face arrest upon returning to British forces. Churchill then recruits them into a special unit dubbed the “Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” recognizing their significant damage to Nazi naval operations.
The film showcases various characters and their fates post-operation, highlighting Gus becoming a war hero and Appleyard receiving multiple commendations. The narrative also ties in Ian Fleming, who would later draw inspiration from these events for his famed James Bond novels.
The film was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Chad Oman, Ivan Atkinson, and Guy Ritchie under production companies like Black Bear Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films. The cinematography was done by Ed Wild, and James Herbert handled the editing. Christopher Benstead provided the music for the film.
As for the film's reception, it holds a 68% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating generally positive reviews, while Metacritic gives it a score of 55 out of 100, suggesting mixed or average feedback. Audience polls show a favorable response, with many viewers enjoying its blend of humor and action.
In summary, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare offers a thrilling yet humorous glimpse into a lesser-known aspect of World War II history, making it an entertaining watch for fans of both action and comedy.
