If you're a fan of historical action dramas, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare might just be the next addition to your watchlist. Starring Henry Cavill as Gus March-Philips, Alan Ritchson as Anders Lassen, Alex Pettyfer as Geoffrey Appleyard, and Cary Elwes as Brigadier Gubbins, this film brings to life the daring exploits of a group of British operatives during World War II. In this podcast episode, Maverick gave the movie a 4.1/9.


Here's a breakdown of the movie along with some key takeaways:

  1. Solid Storyline: The movie offers a compelling narrative, blending action, humor, and high stakes. While it takes creative liberties with historical events, the overall story remains satisfying.
  2. Emphasis on Raising Stakes: One standout aspect is the constant escalation of tension throughout the film. From the capture of key characters to unexpected obstacles like a reinforced hull, the stakes are continuously raised through increasing risk. This is done before any of the sabotage actually occurs, keeping viewers engaged in an intriguing way.
  3. Character Dynamics: While the main character, Gus March-Philips, may come off as too in control and dismissive of situations in the story. However, some side characters lack individual motivation, making them feel less compelling.
  4. Classic Villain: The movie features a classic, albeit stock, villain known as Heinrich Luhr who adds a sense of genuine evil and cunning to the plot. His actions force the protagonists to adapt their mission and tactics, and raises the stakes for key characters in the plot, such as Marjorie Stewart and Heron.
  5. Lack of Character Development: Despite the intense situations they face, the characters undergo minimal transformation throughout the film. This might leave some viewers wanting more depth in character arcs.
  6. Satisfying Closure: The movie ties up loose ends neatly, with the successful completion of the mission and the characters' fates aligning with expectations. However, some aspects, like the lack of casualties in intense firefighting scenes, may stretch believability.

Overall, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare delivers an entertaining blend of action and historical drama. While it may not break new ground in character development, its solid storyline and emphasis on raising stakes make it a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre.

Whether you're intrigued by tales of wartime heroism or simply enjoy a good action flick, this movie offers enough thrills to keep you hooked from start to finish.


To see the full review, watch the podcast episode below: