Film Preview: Darkest Hour (2017)

Page Revisions:

(July 16, 2017) Original
(October 1, 2017) New Trailer (#2) / New Posters (#1-#4)
(November 19, 2017) New Posters (#5-#9)

Release Date:

November 22, 2017

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “Within days of becoming Prime Minister, Winston Churchill must face his most turbulent and defining trial: exploring a negotiated peace treaty with Nazi Germany, or standing firm to fight for the ideals, liberty and freedom of a nation.”

Poster Rating: C- / D+ / C- / D+ / D (5)

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Review: (#1) A smoky room and a red glow. Nothing in this design is terribly interesting. (#2) If you recognize the symbol, it might have more impact than the poster ultimately does. (#3) A stout man in black-and-white, with a red background mottled perhaps with smoke from his cigar. It at least gives enough information to the audience to know who they are looking at, but only if they cared to know who Churchill was to begin with. (#4) Like design #2, there’s not much of interest here and while those who know Churchill will understand the use of his iconic image, it doesn’t sell movie tickets.

(#5-#9) Why does a film like this really need character posters? Further, why are they so dull?

Trailer Rating: B / B

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Review: (#1) It might be a little too early to tell for sure, but Joe Wright looks to be back in fine form and Gary Oldman should probably start writing his Oscar acceptance speech. The trailer is of fairly rote construction, but the promises are big.

(#2) There aren’t sufficient differences from the first trailer to make the film look more or less interesting, but the film continues to provide plenty of interest to those familiar with or fascinated by World War II and especially the Normandy incident.

Oscar Prospects:

This is Gary Oldman’s best chance at an Oscar and from the looks of things, he should be able to claim it. In addition, Joe Wright was once a solid Oscar player and this could put him back into the competition.