Churchill at War

Churchill at War is a near perfect documentary about the Winston Churchill and the challenges of his time. Told through video news footage, archives, interviews, and theatrical recreations, this four part series is very well done. There is much we know about Churchill as the man who rose to become the arch-nemesis of Adolf Hitler in World War II and the face of Great Britain. I find many documentaries to be way too long and filled with unnecessary information. Even at four parts that is not the case here. This is as engaging as any motion picture. The actor who plays Churchill does not really look like him but the sound is uncanny.

Heavy on awkward recreations with actors but regrettably light on interesting historical detail. The main draw of this series is mainly some newly refreshed and colourized archival footage.

The four episodes lean heavily on British and American political figures, including an Obama speech writer, President George W Bush and Prime Minister Boris Johnson - rather than on historical experts. Of course, this is consistent with the tone of an "approachable" and "greatest hits" approach to history documents. It's a decent introduction to Churchill and the period, but there's little to chew on.

In just one example, the series correctly focuses on Churchill's obsessive quest to get the "New World" - America - fighting in the war. However, after showing Pearl Harbour, there's no mention that Herr Hitler foolishly declared war on the United States first - a key footnote that enabled Roosevelt to bypass Congressional wrangling.

All too typically, with a laser focus on FDR and America, the series doesn't even mention the valuable support of Canada, Australia, India and other Commonwealth countries in helping keep the British Isles afloat.

Also, it would have been fascinating to see some of Churchill's military interactions with his senior generals and commanders - and the kind of expectations he had on them - but this is out of the scope of this series.

So while watchable, and crediting star Christian McKay for a solid job recreating Churchill's oratory, this offers a rather lightweight overview of what can be a very meaty subject.

This is a brisk and thoroughly enjoyable summary of Churchill's achievements and failings, principally from the late 1930s to the end of the Second World War. The series doesn't shy away from Churchill's disastrous Gallipoli campaign, his enduring belief in the importance of the British Empire, his sidelining by Stalin and FDR and his controversial tactical decisions around the French naval fleet, but the overriding gist of the series is just how important the man was at a crucial point in world history.

We are left under no doubt about how different, were it not for Churchill's tenacity [stubbornness?], sense of duty and extraordinary level of self-belief, the outcome of the war might have been. A failure on the part of the UK to withstand the Nazi invasion of Europe, could have led to permanent widespread European fascism. The talking heads who focus on Churchill's racism, never manage to outweigh the arguments for the good that he did.

The format follows that of the BBC's superb (and superior) "The Rise of the Nazis", with a combination of reenactment and expert opinion. There are observations by a few big names like David Petraeus and George W Bush (...and Boris, obvs.), but where "The Rise of the Nazis" had insightful contributions by some of the world's leading academic experts on the subject, "Churchill at War" has generic telly-historian Dan Snow making points that could be picked up in a GCSE history book. We should be glad it wasn't Tony Robinson, I suppose.

One of the strangest aspects of the series is the use of AI to generate Churchill's written comments into his spoken voice. I'm still undecided how convincing I found this.

A shout-out really needs to go to actor Christian McKay, for playing Churchill in the reenactments; a perfectly judged performance mimicking the sound and behaviour of Churchill, without ever stepping over into pastiche.

I'm interested in the real footage of the War and hearing the details of how Churchill lead Britain. I can do totally without the talking heads interrupting and giving completely pointless opinions, especially Boris Johnson and George W. Bush. Who thought that was a good idea?

Neither of those belong in any piece about Churchill.

I could do without any extras making statements about the obvious, it's a distraction and annoying. They should have had one narrator, seldom seen and it would have been much more tolerable. There are better documentaries but I would have found this one interesting if they'd left off the bad acting bits.

"In the war time truth is so precious that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies" "In war, resolution. In defeat, defiance. In victory, magnanimity. In peace, Goodwill." "What was gunpowder, trivial. What was the electricity, meaningless. This atomic bomb is the second coming in wrath!"

• Churchill

Before diving into my review of the docuseries Churchill at War, I would like to summarize the key points and highlight a few notable incidents.

Winston Churchill was famous for crossing the floor, changing parties, and taking bold stances. His leadership during World War II was instrumental in stopping Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany. Churchill's military career was marked by adventures in Cuba, India, Sudan, and South Africa, where he was captured by enemy forces during the Second Boer War.

Churchill's role in World War II was pivotal, particularly during the Greek tragedy, where the British Royal Navy attacked and sank the French Navy. The Eagle Day Attacks on London, also known as the Blitz, began on September 15, 1940, with 57 consecutive nights of bombing, resulting in 20,000 deaths. Churchill, instead of taking shelter, stayed on the roof and watched the destruction.

Churchill's relationship with America was complex, with the country initially staying neutral but eventually providing support through the Lend-Lease Act. Churchill said that America's terms were "flaying them to the bone," but he was able to convince President Franklin D. Roosevelt's advisor, Harry Hopkins, to provide help. The Tom Brook Falls earned Churchill the sympathy he had wanted from FDR.

Roosevelt decided to take the North African route, suggested by Churchill, instead of the direct route to defeat Germany. It is said that to defeat Germany, Britain gave time, America gave money, and Russia gave blood. Even before Albert Einstein envisioned a nuclear bomb, Churchill wrote articles about how a single bomb could devastate an entire city.

Montgomery, a teetotaler, once told Churchill, "I do not smoke and I do not drink, and I'm 100% fit." Churchill, not to be outdone, replied, "I both smoke and drink, and I'm 200% fit!!!"

In 1944, Churchill traveled to Russia to meet with Stalin without any American counterparts. This meeting resulted in the creation of the "naughty document," a verbal agreement between Stalin and Churchill on who would get what after the war. This agreement would have significant implications for post-war Europe.

Churchill also proposed Operation Unthinkable, a plan to use the defeated German army to fight the Russians and stop them from entering Eastern Europe. This plan was never implemented, but it highlights the complex and often contradictory nature of Churchill's leadership during World War II.

Churchill's legacy is also marked by controversy, particularly regarding the Bengal famine. Britain refused to send wheat or rice to India, and Churchill could have prevented the famine by redistributing surplus food from elsewhere. Instead, he stopped the shipment of wheat from Canada to India, prioritizing the interests of those fighting to protect the empire. This decision led to over 3 million deaths in Bengal.

Despite these controversies, Churchill remains a complex and fascinating figure in history. His leadership during World War II, his powerful oratory skills, and his ability to inspire and motivate others continue to be studied and admired by historians and scholars today.

The docuseries Churchill at War is a gripping and thought-provoking portrayal of Winston Churchill's leadership during World War II. It masterfully weaves together archival footage, interviews and dramatized scenes to create an immersive experience.

The series sheds light on Churchill's unwavering resolve, his mastery of language and his unshakeable conviction in the face of overwhelming adversity. It is fascinating to see how he rallied the British people during the darkest days of the war, how his leadership played a crucial role in shaping the course of the conflict...

What struck me most was the nuanced portrayal of Churchill's complexities in this series. While it commendably explores his flaws, controversies, his mistakes - including the Bengal famine and complicated relationships with other world leaders - it surprisingly omits his contradictory stance on India's independence. Despite being a strong advocate for freedom and democracy, Churchill's imperialist upbringing and biased views toward Indian culture and people are not fully examined. Specifically, his perceived view of India as a backward and primitive country is not adequately highlighted, leaving a gap in the narrative.

The production quality of the docuseries is exceptional with crisp and clear visuals that bring the archival footage to life. The interviews featured in the series provide valuable insights from historians and scholars adding depth and context to the narrative. The dramatized scenes are also well-executed, helping to recreate the tension and drama of Churchill's wartime leadership. It is a compelling and informative docuseries that offers a fresh perspective on one of history's most iconic leaders. Definitely a worth watching. Watch Churchill at War, available on Netflix.