Note: The Winston Week, is an attempt by me to provide comment and the 3-5 best thoughts and links which I have come across during the week. I am an unabashed Churchillian, but will try and keep to the facts. Many times facts are hard to swallow, but in the end provide nourishment for the soul.
I rarely pay attention to the Academy Awards, especially in recent years, with all the political nonsense being spewed by today’s modern-day court jesters. I have never understood why we should put so much emphasis on what they say about politics.
We Churchillians had a stake in the 2018 awards ceremony. Our own Sir Winston, played by Gary Oldman was up for honors.
2017 and 2018 were comeback years for our grand hero, savior of the free world. With Andrew Roberts, Churchill – Walking With Destiny, released late in 2018, the comeback is continuing. I believe that this continued comeback is fueled by a world that continues on its off-kilter course. We are looking for statesmanship and leadership that may not exist today. If this combination of statesmanship and leadership does exist today, it is well hidden.
I was angry with the Brian Cox movie Churchill. It was a horrible movie portraying Winston as a buffoon and a leader that no one listened too. Gary Oldman’s Darkest Hour was the real deal.
I do cherish the Churchillian’s who are the keepers of the truth. Those that pointed out several issues with “the truth” as it was portrayed in the Darkest Hour. Biopic’s are rarely one hundred percent accurate. Within a two-hour window, which most movies average, some literary license must be applied to assist in capturing the character.
The two scenes that stand out in this case and never took place in Winston’s life were first when the King paid a late-night visit to number 10. Winston is sitting in the dark full of fear and dreading the idea of suing for peace with Hitler. The King arrived and saved the day by telling Winston he had the King’s full support and to “Beat the buggers.” The second, which was the most controversial, was the train scene. Churchill jumped out of his car, headed for the underground and takes the train to Westminster. I have heard many Churchillians call the scene unnecessary and ridiculous. I disagree. The writer was able to show in that few minutes that the British people were with Winston and ready to fight. More importantly, it brought to light that Winston was excruciatingly human. He was a person who wore his emotions on his sleeve. As has been noted, Winston cried no less than 50 times during the war.
I prefer to see Winston as the tough old bulldog, who exhibited great confidence and knew that his life was just a preparation for May 10, 1940. That was who he was, and amazingly human.
Here are my links for the week:
Tell me what you want.. what you really really want.. Winston – Original Spice Girl
The Battle Rages On – The Attack on Churchill
Sir Martin Gilbert Papers Gifted to Hillsdale College – Link Provided by William Schaub – The Chartwell Society – Portland Oregon