The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is a movie made for streaming, but it opened in theaters 6 weeks ago and only pulled $21 million domestically. It has a good cast, used poorly.
This movie is often compared to Inglourious Basterds, but it shouldn’t be. Or that’s where it went wrong. Inglourious Basterds is an action comedy with a plot that is occasionally ridiculous. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is based on real events. They should have played it straight like The Great Escape or Bridge on the Rive Kwai. The actual events are sufficiently unlikely and dramatic. Adding quips and MCU-style casual disinterest in the middle of violent action scenes, makes it seem like the characters think they are invincible.
Because the movie tried for a lighter tone, the main characters lacked the intensity and focus that could be expected of people on a dangerous covert mission. Guns of Navarone and Where Eagles Dare did it better.
The plan to accomplish the main objective was creative and plausible, but the movie rushed through the many moving parts of the operation. It wasn’t entirely clear where everyone was and what they were trying to do.
The portrayal of Winston Churchill was abysmal.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare has quality actors and engaging action sequences, but the most memorable aspect of the movie is the horrendous Churchill depiction. 7/10
Critical Drinker reviews it.