There have been some incredible performances of Sir Winston Churchill during the height of World War 2 over the years. Most notably, Sir Gary Oldman won an Oscar for his portrayal in Darkest Hour, and now it’s the turn of another knight of the realm.
Sir Simon Russell Beale plays Britain’s most famous prime minister in the two-part epic De Gaulle, which hit cinemas last weekend. The French film, featuring English-language scenes with American and English characters, stars Simon Abkarian as General Charles de Gaulle, the leading figure of the French Resistance during the Second World War.
The films’ synopsis reads: “June, 1940. France capitulates and signs the armistice. In the midst of the chaos, one man refuses to give up. Alone against the odds, this unknown general flees to London to save what remains of freedom. Without an army, without backing, without hope. But with one irrational conviction – France, his France, has not laid down arms. Taking the ultimate gamble, he seeks to convince the world that the battle for France is neither over, nor lost. Reality, however, is unyielding and seems determined to prove him wrong. Yet, little by little, resistance fighters, rebellious students and determined soldiers rise up in Britain, France and Africa to join the cause. Their faith, audacity and thirst for freedom defy what history seemed to have written in advance.”
Following its world premiere at Cannes back in May, the first film, De Gaulle: Résistance, debuted in UK cinemas last weekend and will be followed by De Gaulle: Liberté on September 17.
