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HBO presents

The Gathering Storm (2002)

"We must act decisively...and we must act now to put our defenses in order. If we do not, history will cast its verdict with those terrible, chilling words, 'too late.'"- Winston Churchill (Albert Finney)

Stars: Albert Finney, Vanessa Redgrave
Other Stars: Jim Broadbent, Linus Roache, Lena Headley, Derek Jacobi, Tom Wilkinson
Director: Richard Loncraine

Manufacturer: WAMO
MPAA Rating: Not Rated for adult content, adult language, brief nudity
Run Time: 01h:35m:41s
Release Date: 2003-02-04
Genre: historical

Style
Grade
Substance
Grade
Image Transfer
Grade
Audio Transfer
Grade
Extras
Grade
A AB+B B+

 

DVD Review

As the curtain rises on The Gathering Storm, the year is 1934. Once a huge political force in the British Parliament, Winston Churchill's (Albert Finney) career has come to a standstill. Considered a has-been by all but close allies, he's become a parody of himself to most observers. On the homefront, matters aren't much brighter. As his family teeters on the verge of bankruptcy due to stock market woes and Winston's big-spending ways, even loving and supporting wife Clemmie (Vanessa Redgrave) has reached the limits of patience, to such a point that she takes off on a getaway with a male companion.

Yet in the face of professional and personal adversities, the elder statesman remains focused as troubling rumblings emerge from Germany. As Adolph Hitler and his Nazi party's stock continues to rise, Winston is increasingly concerned as a potential threat to the safety of his homeland looms in the distance. But thanks to courageous ally Ralph Wigram (Linus Roache), an intelligence officer with access to top-secret documents offering frightening proof of what the mustachioed madman is plotting, Churchill finally silences most of his critics.

Amongst the lot not subscribing to Winston's comeback club is one fierce adversary: Sir Robert Vansittart (Tom Wilkinson). Suspicious and perhaps a tad bit jealous of Churchill's re-emergence, his contacts eventually get wind of Wigram's doings via spying of their own. This puts enormous pressure on the young man already filled with a very personal challenge at home in helping his wife devote special care to their young son afflicted with cerebal palsy. Putting his emotional problems in check professionally, his invaluable aid to Winston continues.

Its fascinating and intimate story aside, the main reason to see The Gathering Storm is the brilliant performance by Albert Finney. Unlike some actors who have to grow into portrayals of historical figures, the English actor nails Churchill instantly. From the moment he emerges from a luxurious vehicle with cigar in mouth, imposing stance and all, you believe it's the old bugger himself. Also admirable is the way the film takes us beyond the halls of Parliament to show us the private side of the man via his hobby of painting, the enormous love he had for his family and how Clemmie's temporary absence made him realize just how important she was to his emotional well-being (a point brought home in a heart-tugging scene outside their estate, when Clemmie returns from her vacation).

Surrounded by one of the finest casts to grace a small screen feature in many years (Finney, Redgrave, Wilkinson, Roache, Jim Broadbent, Derek Jacoby and Lena Headley) and well-written dialogue courtesy of Emmy® winners Larry Ramin and Hugh Whitemore, the HBO/BBC Films collaboration is a triumph for Finney and all involved.

Rating for Style: A
Rating for Substance: A

 

Image Transfer

 One
Aspect Ratio1.85:1 - Widescreen
Original Aspect Ratioyes
Anamorphicyes


Image Transfer Review: Glowingly photographed to start with, this is a very smooth, warm and film-like transfer. Considering the project's made-for-cable origins, the results are very impressive. Although there is slight grain and mild edge enhancement, it's not distracting in the least.

Image Transfer Grade: B+
 

Audio Transfer

 LanguageRemote Access
DS 2.0English, French (Stereo), Spanish (Stereo)yes


Audio Transfer Review: Other than musical flourishes and background ambience, this is a laid back though efficient Dolby Surround effort appropriate to its subject material. Although an undermixed center channel forced me to crank up that part of my hardware, no other negatives. Spanish and French stereo tracks are also included.

Audio Transfer Grade:

Disc Extras

Static menu
Scene Access with 16 cues and remote access
Subtitles/Captions in English, Spanish, French with remote access
Cast and Crew Biographies
Cast and Crew Filmographies
1 Feature/Episode commentary by Director Richard Lonecraine and Producer Frank Doelger
Packaging: Snapper
Picture Disc
1 Disc
1-Sided disc(s)
Layers: single

Extras Review: Most TV movies that graduate to DVD status are featureless, but not this one. Director Richard Loncraine and producer Frank Doelger contribute a dry, but very informative commentary session. Starting off hesitantly, the twosome soon settle into a comfortable groove discussing many aspects of the production. Among the topics covered are the challenges and joys of working in authentic locations, the talent and generosity of their actors (especially those willing to take smaller parts because of the quality of the material) and their thoughts on the real Churchill. Another noteworthy extra are bios/filmographies of cast and crew that are longer, more expansive and informative than the one to two paragraph blurbs usually presented.

Extras Grade: B+
 

Final Comments

History, Finney and Churchill buffs will naturally want to sweep it up, but The Gathering Storm is a brilliantly written and acted slice of world history that will captivate anyone within its sight.

Jeff Rosado 2003-03-23