The Gathering Storm

A biographical drama depicting Winston Churchill's isolated years out of government in the 1930s, warning against appeasement while battling depression and political marginalization. It culminates with his becoming Prime Minister in May 1940 as Germany invades the Low Countries.

Churchill spent much of the 1930s outside government, repeatedly warning Parliament about German rearmament while Chamberlain's government pursued appeasement. He became Prime Minister on 10 May 1940 as the German offensive in the west began.

The film is well-researched and closely follows Churchill's own writings and biographies, though it compresses timelines for dramatic effect.

Directed by Richard Loncraine

Cast: Albert Finney, Vanessa Redgrave, Jim Broadbent, Derek Jacobi

Positioned at 1934–May 1940 within the Prewar and the fall of Chamberlain phase of the war, as part of the Political prelude to war. This is entry 2 of 150 in the chronological archive.

• Churchill
• appeasement
• biography
• prewar
• politics

• 

  The King's Speech

  1925–1939

• 

  Atonement

  1935–1940

• 

  Munich: The Edge of War

  22–30 September 1938

• 

  The Children of Huang Shi

  1937–1945

• 

  The Eight Hundred

  26 October – 1 November 1937

• 

  John Rabe

  November 1937 – February 1938