Churchill Blu-ray Review

Lionsgate's Region B-locked UK Blu-ray release of "Churchill" presents the film with a commendable 1080p/AVC-encoded High Definition video transfer, maintaining its original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.40:1 widescreen. Despite a modest production budget, the Blu-ray presentation effectively conveys the movie's period ambiance, showcasing subtle yet immersive details. Featuring a largely muted color palette that enhances the vintage feel, the film deftly handles natural environments, from smoke-filled rooms to overcast beaches. Black levels are robust and contribute to a clear and engaging image, even if the production's limited scale prevents it from being a showcase example of the format.

Shot using various Arri Alexa models by cinematographer David Higgs, the film benefits from his expert use of the wide frame, often placing out-of-focus foreground objects against sharply detailed backgrounds. The presentation excels in close-up shots, consistently highlighting fine details and textures. There is a notable dip into monochrome early in the film, adding a historical touch. However, some scenes exhibit boosted contrast that occasionally diminishes background detail due to intense light sources. While certain artistic choices might intrude visually at times, the overall video quality remains high, catering well to fans of period drama though stopping shy of being considered demo material.

The audio presentation of "Churchill" on Blu-ray delivers a solid, yet unremarkable experience, primarily through its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The track's high point lies in its impassioned musical score, which sweeps across all channels, providing a strong emotional undercurrent that almost transcends the film itself. Dialogue, the primary component of the film’s audio, is clear and well-prioritized in the front and center channels, effectively maintaining coherence even when faced with the cast's inconsistent accents. Although the effects are limited, reflecting the film's wartime setting with echoing rooms, bustling offices, crashing waves, and tinny radio broadcasts, these elements do not add significant dynamism to the overall presentation.

Surround activity in "Churchill" is subtle and intermittent, evoking a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of "Patton," particularly during scenes where the general reflects on past battles. However, much of the film consists of cloistered dialogue moments which limit immersion primarily to the musical score or occasional ambient sounds. While there is no standout dynamic element beyond the score, fidelity remains stable throughout, ensuring that dialogue is always clear and comprehensible. This results in an audio experience that, while not extraordinary, competently supports the film's narrative structure.

The Blu-ray extras for "Churchill" are commendable, providing insightful behind-the-scenes content and engaging interviews. The 22-minute featurette offers a well-rounded look at the film's production process, with plenty of footage showcasing the on-set environment. This featurette also includes a series of interview snippets with the main cast and crew, offering valuable perspectives on the making of the movie. The presentation quality of the extras is in full HD, ensuring a visually crisp viewing experience. In addition to the featurette, the Blu-ray includes the original theatrical trailer, further adding value to this release.

Extras included in this disc:

• Churchill: Behind the Scenes: A 22-minute in-depth look at the film’s production, including interviews with cast and crew.
• Theatrical Trailer: The original 2-minute-22-second trailer for the movie.

2017 witnessed a surge in cinematic portrayals of Winston Churchill, with John Lithgow, Gary Oldman, and Brian Cox each delivering their interpretations. In Jonathan Teplitzky's "Churchill," Brian Cox aims to carve his niche, focusing on the wartime leader during the build-up to D-Day. This depiction presents Churchill as a tormented and hesitant figure grappling with past failures and struggling for support from his contemporaries. While the film introduces melodramatic elements that detract from historical authenticity, Cox delivers a committed performance, capturing the idiosyncrasies and imposing presence of the Prime Minister. His portrayal, though encumbered by an underwhelming screenplay, provides the necessary gravitas and makes his character compelling.

Scripted by Alex von Tunzelmann, "Churchill" has faced criticism for its historical inaccuracies, particularly regarding Churchill's alleged opposition to Operation Overlord. This contentious narrative choice attempts to create suspense from an event with an inevitably known outcome—the successful Normandy invasion. Moreover, the added drama of marital discord between Churchill and his wife Clementine feels unnecessarily contrived and unsubstantiated by historical record. Despite these shortcomings, the film boasts standout moments, particularly scenes featuring James Purefoy as King George VI. The emotional depth in his interactions with Churchill offers a poignant counterbalance to the film’s less credible aspects and could potentially earn Purefoy critical acclaim.

Overall, while Teplitzky's "Churchill" struggles with historical fidelity and narrative cohesion, it benefits significantly from the strength of its performances. Cox's robust interpretation and Purefoy's nuanced portrayal infuse the film with intermittent poignancy and depth, albeit within a flawed script. The movie ultimately acts as a testament to its actors' capabilities rather than a definitive recounting of historical events.

"Churchill" on Blu-ray offers a mixed experience, featuring a compelling performance by Brian Cox that serves as the movie's main attraction. Unfortunately, the film itself falls short in delivering a meaningful and coherent narrative. The attempt to humanize Winston Churchill through dramatic embellishments feels misaligned with historical records, particularly regarding D-Day and the Churchill marriage. This dramatic approach may alienate viewers who prefer a more accurate portrayal of historical events. Nevertheless, several supporting performances stand out, adding some depth to this otherwise lackluster biopic.

From a technical perspective, the Blu-ray release by Lionsgate is of high quality. The video presentation is robust, capturing the visual nuances of the period with clarity. The audio track, although not groundbreaking, is adequately immersive and matches the film's visual fidelity. The package includes one noteworthy extra feature, providing additional value for those who appreciate behind-the-scenes content.

In conclusion, "Churchill" is ultimately an unremarkable film whose primary saving grace is Brian Cox's impressive portrayal of the titular character. While the narrative may be mundane and dramatized beyond historical accuracy, the technical aspects of the Blu-ray release make it a solid choice for fans. Whether you are an armchair historian or simply a fan of strong performances, this Blu-ray presents a decent addition to your collection, even if the film itself does not particularly stand out.