World War II films are always popular – but this one is different. Henry Cavill – complete with beard -is back to play a most unconventional soldier in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.
Based on the 2014 book of the same name by author Damien Lewis (not the one from Homeland), this action spy film, directed by Guy Ritchie (Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Aladdin), who also co-wrote the film alongside Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson and Arash Amel, tells the true story of the Special Forces of WWII. Set up by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the group were tasked with going behind enemy lines and taking down the seemingly unstoppable Nazi machine, using whatever means necessary.
In the film, Cavill leads a crack team of soldiers on unconventional missions to thwart various Nazi plots, be they on land or sea. The team members have their individual specialities – including an archery specialist! – which are all used to great effect against the hapless baddies.
Essentially, this Special Forces unit was the forerunner to modern Black Operations units, the secretive units that use all manner of tactics to get the results they need.
Cavill leads the cast as Gus March-Phillips, the inspirational leader of the unit. The cast also includes Eiza González (whose credits include Baby Driver), Alan Ritchson (Fast X, Reacher on Amazon Prime), Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians), Alex Pettyfer (Magic Mike), Hero Fiennes Tiffin (Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince) and Babs Olusanmokun (Dune).
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare opens in the US on April 19.
Check out the trailer – Cavill looks like he had a ball making it and the film looks a riot. If you like action, explosions, some nifty one-liners and lots of Nazis getting their comeuppance, this is the film for you.
