Product Details

• Actors: Albert Finney, Derek Jacobi, Jim Broadbent, Lena Headey, Linus Roache
• Directors: Richard Loncraine
• Producers: Ridley Scott, Tony Scott
• Format: Color, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Stereo)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Hbo Home Video
• DVD Release Date: June 9, 2009
• Run Time: 96 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (94 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002CWKTUA
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,493 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "The Gathering Storm" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A remarkable cast lends emotional richness to The Gathering Storm, an HBO movie about the life of Winston Churchill just prior to the onset of World War II. Faced with bankruptcy, his career in decline, Churchill (Albert Finney) is beset with depression until the impending danger of German rearmament--along with the British government's reluctance to recognize the threat of Hitler--gives him a cause that brings him back to energetic life. The movie focuses as much on the enduring relationship between Churchill and his wife, Clementine (Vanessa Redgrave), as his political struggles. But though The Gathering Storm clearly admires Churchill, it also acknowledges his tyrannical personality and astonishing ego, turning what could be a puff piece into a well-rounded and moving portrait. The truly topnotch cast includes Derek Jacobi, Jim Broadbent, Tom Wilkinson, Linus Roache, and Lena Headey, all of whom turn in superb performances. --Bret Fetzer

Product Description

The mid-1930's finds the great politician and orator Winston Churchill out of favor and struggling to make his robust voice heard by the English people. Wrestling with his personal demons - a dark depression, the loss of his family fortune, and the temporary absence of his devoted wife Clemmie - a lonely but defiant Churchill attempts to warn the nation of an impending threat from Hitler's Germany. But will the world listen?

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 85 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Destiny commands. We must obey. April 15, 2005

By Steven Hellerstedt

Format:DVD

THE GATHERING STORM is a compelling look at the lion in wilderness. The lion, of course, is Winston Churchill (Albert Finney) and the wilderness is the political exclusion he endured circa 1938-39. It was during those years that Germany rearmed at an alarming rate; England slept while Adolf Hitler plotted. It was also a time that found Churchill gadflying from opposition to Indian independence to futilely warning England, and the world, about the newly dangerous Nazi Germany.

Such is the political context TGS takes place in, but the movie devotes most of its 90-some minutes to domestic life at Chartwell, Churchill's country estate and the place he amassed and assessed the intelligence on Germany fed to him by a variety of sources, most notably Foreign Office official Ralph Wigram (Linus Roache). Vanessa Redgrave plays Churchill's wife Clemmie, a woman who was as much a match for her famous husband as Redgrave is a match for the superb Finney.

THE GATHERING STORM won't teach you all that much about English politics on the eve of World War II, or even that much about Churchill the politician. As a character study of a complex politician it's simply brilliant, and strongly recommended.

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars CHURCHILL ALIVE AGAIN! September 4, 2003

By A Customer

Format:DVD

When I first heard that Albert Finney would play Sir Winston Churchill in "The Gathering Storm" I was disappointed and wondered how he could pull it off. Still I watched the movie and the first appearance of Mr. Finney on screen as the venerable and legendary British hero put all of my fears to rest. Winston was alive again. The same can be said for the performance of Vanessa Redgrave as Clementine Churchill.

The movie is filled with facts about Churchill's activities leading up to war with Germany, his intelligence activities and his relationship with his wife and family. The film is a must have for all Churchillophiles.

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Albert Finney is Superb as Churchill! April 21, 2004

By H. F. Corbin TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:VHS Tape

Rarely does an actor capture the essence of someone so much bigger than life as was Sir Winston Churchill, but Albert Finney achieves the nearly impossible-- he becomes Churchill and manages to dominate practically every frame of this HBO video even against the likes of someone as talented as Vanessa Redgrave, who plays his beloved "Clemmie" Churchill. Ms. Redgrave does rise to the occasion as she, as we say, eats up the furniture when Finney accuses her of being selfish. She roars something to the effect that "don't you dare call me selfish when I have lived with you for 26 years," These two fine actors are joined by a great supporting cast in this beautifully filmed movie. The action covers a brief time in Churchill's life when Hitler is rising to power in Germany. Churchill is having financial difficulties, is plagued by what he calls the "black dog" of depression and cannot convince the current prime minister that Hitler is an enormous threat to the security of England.

Finney here joins other over 50, overweight actors (think Kathy Bates and Jack Nicholson)who bare their all for art. This movie won three Emmys, which were richly deserved.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A CHURCHILLIAN LANDSCAPE April 4, 2003

By stewart d thomas

Format:DVD

Okay, so for my money Winston Churchill was the greatest character of the last century. Larger than life and who defied all and sundry when he thought he was right (which was practically always). Could this or any other movie live up to the memory of a legend. The Gathering Storm managed very well, thanks in no short measure to the amazing performance by Albert Finney who not only looked and sounded like the great man but also captured the Bulldog Defiance which served the British people and indeed the world so well during World War II. Vanessa Redgrave must also be acknowledged for her performance as the power behind the cigar. In fact every actor in this movie turns in a stunning performance, including Tom Wilkenson who has long been one of my favorite undiscovered actors (discovered now of course). I understand that a sequel is in the works and I hope this is true. Because this surely is only the first course and what should be a sumptious feast of history, acting, writing and dircetion. Just don't keep us waiting too long.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars SUPERB April 19, 2005

By Paul W. Posey

Format:DVD

I watched this movie on HBO and it was such a moving and superbly acted film of Churchill the man that I had to buy it. I suggest buy it now today and watch it over and over as I have done. Not just for the subject matter but the kind of acting that deserves, DEMANDS the higest of praise. Alber Finney is so outstanding that I was sure I was watching Churchill in the flesh. The movie music adds to this truely outstanding film. It's a shame that this classic will not be seen on movie screens, what a winner.

Paul Posey

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Right Man in the Right Place at the Right Time. January 18, 2005

By Roy L. Shockey

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Churchill did not create the circumstances that surrounded Europe and Great Britain in the first half of the twentieth century, but he did recognize the dangers that existed and sought to protect the England that he loved from them. In Gathering Storm, Churchill is portayed magnificently by a portly Albert Finney as the egomaniacal, multi-talented genius that he truly was. The movie succeeds in providing telling glimpses into Churchill's private life with his wife Clementine (Vanessa Redgrave), his children, his household staff and friends as well as into his public dealings and persona. I was left wishing for the movie to continue from the point at which it concludes its story.

Winston Churchill was not a man of his times, he was a man FOR his times.