By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
"The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare," directed by
Guy Ritchie and written by
Paul Tamasy and Eric Johnson, is an intense spy comedy inspired by author
Damien Lewis' 2014 book, "Churchill's Secret Warriors: The Explosive True Story of the Special Forces Desperadoes of WWII."
The film delves into the covert world of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) formed in 1940 by Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The SOE's mission was to execute espionage and sabotage operations in Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II.
Perhaps in anyone else's hands, "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" might be a real snoozer, but Ritchie, who is known for gripping action films like "Wrath of Man" and "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," infuses the film with his signature and entertaining style.
Henry Cavill portrays Gus March-Phillipps, one of the leading criminal mercenaries recruited by Churchill. Their daring mission, known as Operation Postmaster, involves infiltrating the Spanish island of Fernando Po off the coast of West Africa. There, the Nazis are clandestinely running supplies. This valiant operation significantly contributes to the Allied victory over Nazi Germany and lays the groundwork for modern-day black operations and irregular warfare.
The special ops team includes Anders Lassen (Alan Ritchson, "Ordinary Angels" ), Freddy Alvarez (Henry Goulding, "Crazy Rich Asians"), Geoffrey Appleyard (Alex Pettyfer, "Chief of Station") and Captain Henry Hayes (Hero Fiennes Tiffin, "After Everything").
Under the leadership of Special Operations leader "M" (Cary Elwes, ("Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning"), the team embarks on their perilous mission. Notably, "M’s" assistant is none other than future James Bond creator Ian Fleming and he's played by Freddie Fox, (TV's "The Gentlemen").
As the stakes rise, an undercover spy named Marjorie Stewart (Eiza Gonzalez, "3 Body Problem") and a cool market expert/casino operator named Heron (Babs Olusanmokun, "Dune: Parts 1 & 2") join the mix. Their goal: to scheme and outsmart ruthless Nazi officer Heinrich Luhr (a very good Til Schweiger, "Hollywood Heist").
Getting caught is not an option. It would mean imprisonment, torture, and death at the hands of the Nazis.
While “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” serves up plenty of action, some moments veer into repetition and cartoonish territory.
Nevertheless, fans of Ritchie's filmmaking style will appreciate his unique take on this World War II espionage dramady.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Look At This Trailer For
"THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
