PLOT
In May 1940 Britain and France are Allies in World War 2 against Nazi Germany. Before the German invasions of Belgium and the Netherlands, the opposition Labour Party in Parliament demands the resignation of British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain for being too weak to protect national security. Chamberlain tells Conservative Party advisers that he wants Lord Halifax as his successor, but Halifax does not yet want to become Prime Minister. Chamberlain must choose the only other man whom other parties will support. Winston Churchill, the First Lord of the Admiralty.
Trailer: Darkest Hour
On her first day at work, Churchill's new secretary Elizabeth Layton quickly upsets him by failing to follow his instructions. After Churchill causes Layton to cry and almost quit, his wife Clementine rebukes him that as Prime Minister he will have to be nicer to others. King George VI reluctantly invites Churchill to form a government including Chamberlain and Halifax, but wants his friend Halifax as Prime Minister.
Although he was right about the danger from Adolf Hitler, Churchill has a poor reputation from the Gallipoli Campaign and supporting Edward VIII during the Abdication crisis. Anthony Eden is among his few political friends; other Conservatives remember Churchill twice crossing the floor. Parliament dislikes the new Prime Minister's first speech promising "Blood, toil, tears and sweat" and Churchill refuses to negotiate with Germany. During the May 1940 War Cabinet crisis they plan to resign from the government if Churchill refuses, causing a vote of no confidence that will allow Halifax to become Prime Minister.
The British Expeditionary Force is trapped at Dunkirk and Calais. Against the advice of the Cabinet, Churchill orders Brigadier Claude Nicholson in Calais to lead the 30th Infantry Brigade in a suicide attack to distract the enemy while the soldiers at Dunkirk are evacuated in Operation Dynamo. The Little Ships of Dunkirk rescue 300,000 British soldiers, but Belgium surrenders, France will soon surrender, a German invasion of Britain seems inevitable and U.S President Franklin D Roosevelt can't help because of the Neutrality Acts of 1930s.
The defeat in France causes the Cabinet, including Eden, to support negotiating with Germany. Churchill reluctantly allows Halifax to speak to Bastianini. George VI unexpectedly visits Churchill; the king, not wanting to flee to Canada and rule in exile should Britain be invaded, encourages the Prime Minister to continue the war. Still uncertain of what to do, Churchill suddenly decides to ask London Underground passengers about the war; the civilians reject negotiations and want to continue to fight the Germans; this episode is completely fictional. Churchill meets with other members of Parliament, who also support him.
With Layton's help, Churchill prepares to address Parliament, while Halifax demands that an increasingly reluctant Chamberlain continue their plan to depose him. Towards the end of his speech, Churchill proclaims that "We shall fight on the beaches" should the Germans invade. Chamberlain decides to forgo the plan and the room, including Eden and other Conservatives, applauds the Prime Ministers defiance. Satisfied, Churchill departs.
Chamberlain dies six months later from cancer and Halifax is sent away to become the Ambassador to the United states. Churchill is Prime Minister in 1945 when the Allies defeat Germany.
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