Every once in a while, a movie features a performance that is so special, so transformative, you know it’s going to be remembered for decades to come. That’s definitely the case withGary OldmanasWinston Churchillin directorJoe Wright’sDarkest Hour. While Oldman has been known as a great actor for a very long time, his work inDarkest Houris career-best and he absolutely delivers the title of “performance of the year.” I’ll be stunned if he doesn’t win the Oscar.
Of course no matter how good Oldman is in the role, it wouldn’t be anything without a great script and fantastic dialogue and that’s all due to screenwriterAnthony McCarten. After writing directorJames Marsh’sThe Theory of Everything, he wasn’t sure what to do next and was kicking around a few ideas, but thanks to a friend’s suggestion he decided to take on Churchill without anyone knowing he was writing the screenplay. Shortly after finishing, everything moved pretty fast and the result is one of the best films of 2017:Darkest Hour.
In addition to talking about where the idea came from, during my exclusive interview he talked about humanizing Churchill down from an icon through small moments, the challenge of writing for such a legendary wordsmith, getting Oldman involved, deleted scenes including one that focused on Dunkirk, and a lot more. Finally, towards the end of the interview, he talked about his script for directorBryan Singer’sBohemian Rhapsody, where production is with it right now, as well as how phenomenalRami Malekis asFreddie Mercury.
If you aren’t familiar withDarkest Hour, the film chronicles the early days ofWinstonChurchill’s (Gary Oldman) reign as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, which involved deciding how to approach the encroaching Nazi threat. The film also starsKristin Scott Thomas,Lily James,Stephen Dillane,Ronald Pickup, andBen Mendelsohn. For more on the film you canread Adam Chitwood’s review.
Check out what Anthony McCarten had to say in the player above and below is exactly what we talked about and the official synopsis.
Anthony McCarten:
Here’s the official synopsis forDarkest Hour:
A thrilling and inspiring true story begins on the eve of World War II as, within days of becoming Prime Minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill (Academy Award nominee Gary Oldman) must face one of his most turbulent and defining trials: exploring a negotiated peace treaty with Nazi Germany, or standing firm to fight for the ideals, liberty and freedom of a nation. As the unstoppable Nazi forces roll across Western Europe and the threat of invasion is imminent, and with an unprepared public, a skeptical King, and his own party plotting against him, Churchill must withstand his darkest hour, rally a nation, and attempt to change the course of world history.
