The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

Tourma 1/1/2025 7:54:36AM 8.4

**"There's a lot of things you can do with a Nazi, and An Axe"** *~William "B.J." Blazkowicz (Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus)* I said that in reference to one scene in this movie, won't say which though. ~ .^ Guy Richie continues to expand his "Brits in violent situations that go sideways" genre to WW II. His fast dialog is not quite as verbose as in his older work, but it's still excellent. I like all of his movies, but this is up there on his more recent fare. Alan Ritchson playing a kinda dweeby, murderous Scandinavian is a highlight. In the vein of, if far more grounded than, Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds. A good vibe to go into 2025.

CinemaSerf 7/6/2026 8:30:31AM 8.4

Ok, so this is really just an hybrid of "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" (2003) and the "Sea Wolves" (1980) but I still quite enjoyed it. Henry Cavill (Maj. March-Phillips) is charged with an nigh on impossible task by Churchill himself. He is to assemble a group of like-minded "individuals" and then head to a territory in the west of Africa where the Nazis have a base that is supporting their wolf pack war against the Allies. It's all being co-ordinated from a couple of ships and their job is to infiltrate the place, cause as much havoc as they can, and then sink them - and any U-boats they can dynamite at the same time, too! How hard can it be? Well of course these men are going to be hopelessly outnumbered and the very nature of their undercover operation means they're not going to get much help from their own side either, so aboard their glorified yacht they sail on their perilous quest. What now ensues is typical Guy Ritchie with a mischievous soundtrack straight out of one of his "Sherlock Holmes" films and a collection of largely British acting talent that doesn't exactly leap off the screen at you, but that does manage to present us with something entertainingly tongue-in-cheek and somewhat symbolic of the actual folks who won the war. Meantime, as they run their maritime gauntlet (this bit is more "Guns of Navarone" 1961), "Marjorie" (Eiza González) and "Hayes" (Babs Olusanmokun) are charged with crafting some sort of landside diversion to distract the menacingly avaricious "Luhr" (Til Schweiger) before it all builds to quite a lively collection of pyrotechnics and just a little bit of dressing up. It wouldn't really be fair to single out any of the actors, they are much of a muchness, but I did think Alex Pettyfer looked like he was enjoying himself and the ever-boyish Hero Fiennes Tiffin genuinely looked like he couldn't believe he was in an action film at all, let alone one from Ritchie. This is an enjoyably paced and characterful romp that ight have it's roots in real events and those might have inspired Ian Fleming (here played a little implausibly by Freddie Fox) to devise the template for his "007". Don't aim too high and you wont be disappointed - it's good fun.

TheSceneSnobs 7/12/2024 6:52:11PM 8.4

I was pleasantly surprised by The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Guy Ritchie crafts an intriguing story about Winston Churchill’s team of highly skilled misfit soldiers recruited for the dirtiest missions against the Germans. This film combines historical drama with Ritchie's signature style, resulting in an engaging and action-packed experience. Henry Cavill stands out as the deranged leader of this unorthodox team, delivering a performance that balances madness with a fierce sense of duty. His character's unpredictable nature keeps the audience on edge. Cavill stands out as the deranged leader of this unorthodox team, delivering a performance that balances madness with a fierce sense of duty. His character's unpredictable nature keeps the audience on edge. Simultaneously, the subplot involving two Allied spies embedded within the German ranks adds an exciting layer of espionage. Babs Olusanmokun and Eiza González deliver fantastic performances, navigating the perilous environment with a blend of cunning and bravery. However, not all elements of the film work seamlessly. The scenes featuring Winston Churchill are notably weaker, often disrupting the narrative flow and diminishing the film’s intensity. These moments feel out of place, detracting from the otherwise tight and focused storytelling. On the technical front, the film excels with masterful cinematography and outstanding sound design. The visual style captures the gritty and chaotic nature of war while maintaining clarity during intense action sequences. The sound design immerses the audience in the film’s world, from the clamor of battle to the subtle tension of stealth operations. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is a compelling addition to the war film genre, distinguished by its strong performances, engaging dual storylines, and technical prowess. While some scenes fall short, particularly those involving Winston Churchill, the film’s overall impact remains powerful. Guy Ritchie’s unique touch brings a fresh perspective to a historical narrative, making this film a must-watch for fans of action, history, and espionage.