Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Darkest Hour Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman February 15, 2018

Christopher Nolan's instant-classic film Dunkirk released to theaters in the Summer of 2017 to widespread critical acclaim. The film tells the story of "Operation Dynamo" -- the rescue of nearly the entire British army, trapped in the French seaside city, by waves of civilian craft sailing Southeast from the English coast -- from three different perspectives and nonlinear timelines from sea, air, and land. Director Joe Wright's (Pan) Darkest Hour, released shortly thereafter, tells the story from inside the English parliament by way of a snapshot biopic of the freshly installed Winston Churchill, a war hawk replacing the dovish Neville Chamberlain as England's Prime Minister. The Dunkirk situation commands Churchill's early time in office, and the film follows on through to explore how he rallies his nation to take up arms against the Nazi army, which is quickly overrunning Europe and is sure to target the British Isles sooner rather than later. The film depicts Churchill, brilliantly portrayed by Gary Oldman, battling many of the very appeasers who put Britain in grave danger in the first place, building his case for war, and wrestling with his own conscience as the weight of the world bears down on his shoulders. The film also offers a secondary perspective on history through the eyes of his newly appointed secretary, Elizabeth Layton (Lily James).

As Churchill takes the reigns of power from Chamberlain, the story becomes increasingly bleak as the Nazi threat looms larger by the day, as those around Churchill cry for peace while he relentlessly screams for action. The film’s story is one of Churchill’s steadfastness in his call to action but also the increasing doubts as the realities of the danger become increasingly clear, which includes nearly the entire British army soon to be captured or wiped out on the shores of France. The film is appropriately bleak, because as the title suggests it’s a dark time for England and, indeed, the world. Churchill, a man depicted as stubborn, aloof, hard-edged, and determined, softens as the situation grows ever more dim. The film begins with him berating his secretary for sloppy dictation work but finds his humanity when he mingles with common Londoners on a subway car, taking an informal poll amongst the people to help determine his course of action against the pending Nazi assault.

Yet for such a serious story and film, small lights of humorous character building moments and brief escapes from the dire realities of war humanize the character and the world around him. Churchill, gruff as he may be, carries much of the film’s softer side, never a detriment to or deterrent from the main story but serving as a necessary foil for the dramatic intensity that unfolds throughout the film. Darkest Hour offers a secondary perspective through the eyes of his secretary, a woman who is run out of his room in tears within minutes of meeting him but who becomes a steadfast ally and even a friend. Her brother is in danger in Dunkirk, and as history falls on Churchill’s shoulders, she carries the burden, too, as she puts his words to paper, essentially certifying world-shaping events.

Gary Oldman is absolutely stellar, not simply standing in Winston Churchill’s shoes but embodying the man with fierce tenacity and practiced yet effortless delivery. This is a remarkable time for great actors in exceptionally crafted roles, as was just recently seen in Roman J. Israel, Esq., and this actor, and this performance in particular, is amongst the best the modern generation has to offer. Oldman, a titan of an actor portraying a titan of a man, plays a strong, stoic, larger-than-life figure who is sometimes cold, easy to anger, and eccentric, but at the same time evolving into the role history has thrust upon him. Whether the weight of history or the weight of the personality, Oldman captures both dualities — the narrative and the man within it — with striking precision. It’s inspired casting and an inspired performance of one of the most towering figures in world history.

Darkest Hour Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Darkest Hour is another fairly big release from the early weeks of 2018 not to receive a day-and-date UHD companion release. Fortunately and unsurprisingly the 1080p Blu-ray offers a screen-commanding image that's precise and true, even if the movie is often a contrast of shady and low-light locales and brightly lit subjects and scenes. Inside parliament, musty and dusty old books are a standout as far as raw detailing goes. Finely appointed interiors are sharp and clean, a nice contrast to some of the more spartan and utilitarian locations seen throughout the film, including the "war room," scuffed and dented airplane interiors, and war-torn terrain in France. Finely appointed suits are tactile and true, while flesh textures deliver healthy, lifelike complexity. Colors are stable and accurate; the movie often lacks abundant use of cheerful primary colors, but what's here, whether nicely appointed furniture, curtains, clothes, and the like, appear clear and lifelike. Black levels, critical to the movie's tonal success, are impressively deep and accurate, whether nighttime exteriors, shadowy corners, or dark suits in low light. Skin tones appear accurate. No significant source of encode flaws are apparent. This is a terrific Blu-ray presentation of a visually challenging film.

Darkest Hour Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Darkest Hour's Dolby Atmos soundtrack offers no significantly distinct and clearly pronounced overhead component, but the additional channels and spacial capabilities certainly heighten several key moments. Speeches within the Parliamentary chamber offer substantial depth around and above the stage; the cavernous hall, full of often raucous lawmakers and home to booming speeches during key moments throughout the film -- notably its bookend scenes -- springs to life with an incredible sense of place, precise spacing and reverberation, and both thunderous support din and subtle sound elements during quieter moments. The film's musical component is well defined, easily and widely spaced with triumphant clarity and a prominent low end support. Even with minimal action elements, there are large, stage-commanding sound effects, such as heavy doors closing and the rattle of a subway car, the latter of which rightly gives way to dialogue during a key scene but still offers prominent full-stage rattling support. Healthy atmospherics dot the film's runtime, including various bustling elements in the "war room." Dialogue delivery is clean and precise, as expected.

Darkest Hour Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Darkest Hour contains a commentary track and two featurettes. A DVD copy of the film and a MoviesAnywhere code are included with purchase.

• Audio Commentary: Director Joe Wright offers a well-spoken track that covers film construction, the story's timeline, locations, performances, and more. The track is even, a bit soft-spoken and relaxed, but nicely informative.
• Into Darkest Hour (1080p, 8:16): A basic recap of the film's timeframe and timeline, key characters, costumes, shooting locations, authenticity, and Joe Wright's direction.
• Gary Oldman: Becoming Churchill (1080p, 4:19): A closer look at the actor's transformative performance as one of history's great characters.

Darkest Hour Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Darkest Hour is not simply a historical, politically dominant wartime film. It's an intimate character portrait that examines Churchill's personal life, his wife's bluntness about their relationship and their conflicts, the family's finances, and evolving relationship with King George, all as the weight of the world burdens his every step. The film is wonderfully crafted, its juxtaposing light and darkness helping to shape the narrative, and Gary Oldman's performance is dynamic and expertly honed to the finest detail. This is a stellar film, a necessary companion to Dunkirk and itself an instant classic. Universal's Blu-ray is very good, delivering flawless 1080p video, a fantastically complimentary Atmos soundtrack, and a few solid extras. Very highly recommended.