Darkest Hour FILM TIE - Softcover

McCarten, Anthony

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0241340934 ISBN 13: 9780241340936

Publisher: Viking, 2017

Synopsis

THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER AND OFFICIAL TIE-IN TO THE AWARD-WINNING MOTION PICTURE STARRING GARY OLDMAN, WHO TOOK HOME BEST ACTOR AT THE OSCARS FOR HIS SUBLIME TURN AS WINSTON CHURCHILL. From the prize-winning screenwriter of The Theory of Everything, this is a cinematic, behind-the-scenes account of a crucial moment which takes us inside the mind of one of the world's greatest leaders - and provides a revisionist, more rounded portrait of his leadership. May, 1940. Britain is at war, European democracies are falling rapidly and the public are unaware of this dangerous new world. Just days after his unlikely succession to Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, faces this horror - and a sceptical King and a party plotting against him. He wonders how he can capture the public mood and does so, magnificently, before leading the country to victory. It is this fascinating period that Anthony McCarten captures in this deeply researched, gripping day-by-day (and often hour-by-hour) narrative. In doing so he revises the familiar view of Churchill - he made himself into the iconic figure we remember and changed the course of history, but through those turbulent and dangerous weeks he was plagued by doubt, and even explored a peace treaty with Nazi Germany. It's a scarier, and more human story, than has ever been told.

About this title

From the Back Cover

“He was speaking to the nation, the world, and indeed to history.”

May 1940. Britain is at war. The horrors of blitzkrieg have seen one Western European democracy after another fall in rapid succession to Nazi boot and shell. Invasion seems mere hours away.

Just days after becoming prime minister, Winston Churchill must deal with this horror—as well as a skeptical king, a party plotting against him, and an unprepared public. Pen in hand and typist-secretary at the ready, how could he change the mood and shore up the will of a nervous people?

In this gripping day-by-day, often hour-by-hour account of how a sometimes uncertain Churchill turned Britain around, the celebrated BAFTA-winning writer Anthony McCarten exposes sides of the great man never seen before. He reveals how Churchill practiced and rewrote his key speeches, from “Blood, toil, tears, and sweat” to “We shall fight on the beaches”; his consideration of a peace treaty with Nazi Germany and his underappreciated role in the Dunkirk evacuation; and, above all, how twenty-five days helped make one man an icon.

Using new archive material, McCarten explores the crucial behind-the-scenes moments that changed the course of history. It’s a scarier—and more human—story than has ever been told.

About the Author

Anthony McCarten is a celebrated New Zealand-born film-maker, novelist and playwright who now divides his time between London, Los Angeles and Munich. He received early international success with his play Ladies Night, which was translated into twelve languages. His screenplay for The Theory of Everything which he wrote and produced won a BAFTA and was nominated for an Oscar.

About this edition

• Publisher: Viking
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 0241340934
• ISBN 13: 9780241340936
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1