The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

This fun action thriller is based on a true story and premieres in theaters on April 19, 2024.

RATING: R

LENGTH: 2 hours

Movie Review Mom GRADE: B

IN A NUTSHELL:

Believe it or not, this movie is based on a true story! It’s kind of the origin story behind the first ever British Special Forces unit during World War II. A small group of highly-skilled soldiers is set up to strike against German forces behind enemy lines.

You’ll surely recognize the style before you realize who directed this fun flick: Guy Ritchie. He and Jerry Bruckheimer, and several others produced it. Writing credits go to Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson, and Arash Amel.

THINGS I LIKED:

The title is fantastic and screams “Guy Ritchie”, right?
The cast is stellar. I have a friend who refers to this movie as “The 5 handsome guys movie.” Yep, she got that right. The studmuffins include Henry Cavill, Henry Golding, Alan Ritchson, Cary Elwes, Alex Pettyfer, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Babs Olusanmokun, Henry Zaga, and Til Schweiger. I guess it should also be called “The 3 Henry’s movie”. They all do a terrific job and look like they’re having a blast. That enthusiasm always rubs off on the audience.
Eliza Gonzalez rounds out the cast.
There is plenty of humor, action, and eye candy. What more could we ask for? Well, maybe a little more depth, but it’s a really good time.
The film is based on Operation Postmaster. Hopefully, people will enjoy the movie enough to want to learn more about this interesting piece of history. Documents about these events were only recently declassified and released in 2016.
The original music by Christopher Nissen and Christopher Benstead is sexy and whimsical, just like the film.
I’m always amused by Guy Ritchie’s clever transitions.
There’s a lot of action.
I love that we get to see photos of the real people involved in these events, as well as be able to read a bit more about them at the end of the movie.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

I’ve definitely seen better portrayals of Winston Churchill in other films.
I would love to have learned more about this group and mission.
It was a lot more brutally violent than I thought it was going to be.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Lots of bloody violence with various weapons, as well as hand-to-hand combat.
We see a LOT of Nazis die. Alan Ritchson’s character explains to everyone that they’re now in Nazi heaven.
Profanity, including F-bombs
Tons of destruction
Explosions and dangerous situations

THEMES:

WWII
Teamwork
Courage
Good vs. Evil
Critical-thinking skills
Hope
Perseverance

FUNNY LINES:

“If I’m to do this, I’ll need my own team. You won’t like them. They’re all mad.” – Gus March-Phillips (Henry Cavill) “They’ll need to be.” – Brigadier Gubbins “M” (Cary Elwes)
“We both know that I’m not very popular with the administration.” – Gus March-Phillips “The reason they find you unattractive is the very reason I find you attractive.” – M
“What do we have here? Gestapo.” – Gus March-Phillips “How do you know?” Freddy Alvarez (Henry Golding) “The badder they are, the better they’re dressed. I really must get me one of those coats.” – Gus March-Phillips

INTERESTING LINES:

“It’s not appeasement; it’s failure.” – Winston Churchill (Rory Kinnear)
“We’re losing the war. Hitler is not playing by the rules, so neither are we.” – Winston Churchill (Rory Kinnear)