The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfareis a pretty ungainly title for a snarky action blockbuster. There’s not much room for cuts, but it is a mouthful. It refers to one of several nicknames for the Special Operations Executive team, which enacted early black ops work for the English government during the Second World War. They could’ve called the movie “The Baker Street Irregulars” or “Churchill’s Secret Army,” butUngentlemanly Warfarehas a lovely ring to it.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfaremight be themost English moviein modern memory, so, of course, Guy Ritchie directed it. The film feels like an attempt to unearth the origins of his classic lower-class chav gangster movies. His versions of historical soldiers and spies feel like the fathers and uncles of every character inSnatchorLock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson, Arash Amel, and Guy Ritchie
April 19th, 2024
Runtime
120 Minutes
The year is 1942. The United States teeters on the edge of joiningthe Second World Warin Europe. England struggles to survive as German U-boats sink supply ships in the Atlantic, slowly starving the population. Prime Minister Winston Churchill faces pressure to appease Hitler, prompting him to try new solutions. Churchill entreats Brigadier General Colin “M” McVean Gubbins and Naval Intelligence Officer Ian Fleming to organize a crack black ops team. M and Fleming dig Major Gus March-Phillipsout of a military prisonto explain the mission. The U-boats require constant resupply from an Italian vessel called theDuchessaand two tugboats, which provide air filters, food, and fuel. M and Fleming want Gus to gather a team and blow it up.
Gus lists his preferred crew in between stealing cigars and drinking. His demolition expert is a convicted arsonist called Freddy Buzz. His best sailor is his angry young Irish ward, Henry Hayes. He also offers up Anders “The Danish Hammer” Lassen, anightmarish super-soldier whowields a bow and arrow. Finally, he wants his old war buddy, Geoffrey Appleyard, to help plan the operation. Unfortunately, Appleyard sits in a Nazi prison. It’s up to Gus, Freddy, Anders, and Henry to sail to Fernando Po, free Appleyard, and destroy theDuchessa. While they do their work, spies Marjorie Stewart and Mr. Heron will work on Fernando Po to keep the Nazis distracted. The fate of the UK hangs in the balance as these killers do their grim work.
What isThe Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfarebased on?
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfareis a loose adaptation of Operation Postmaster. The film credits Damien Lewis' 2014 novelChurchill’s Secret Warriors: The Explosive True Story of the Special Forces Desperadoes of WWII. Operation Postmaster was a masterclass inearly black ops work. The Special Operations Executive drew the crew of theDuchessainto a dinner party while the armed commanders simply boarded, overpowered the crew, and stole the ship. It took about half an hour without a single casualty. Postmaster proved the effectiveness of irregular warfare to the English government.The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfaretakes the broad strokes of the scheme and adds some additional complications.
How doesThe Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfareend?
Gus, Freddy, Henry, and Anders break into theNazi camp, kill every soldier inside, and save Appleyard. Meanwhile, Heron and Stewart meet their target. Stewart is tasked with seducing a Nazi officer named Heinrich Luhr while Heron runs a casino bar on the island. The scheme involves Heron arranging two parties, one for officers and one for enlisted men, while Gus and his men work. Unfortunately, several setbacks force them to move faster and strike with less information. Heron arranges help from KB, a local weapons dealer who studied at Eaton. Stewart discovers that theDuchessahas been armored, striking the original plan of blowing it up. Appleyard proposes stealing it by blowing up the anchor and taking it away.
Gus and his men plant charges on the German S-boats, their fuel supply, the mounted guns on the shoreline, and the power company nearby. They assault theDuchessa, kill every Nazi on board, and wait for the charges. The explosive blows the anchor, allowing them to start the towing process. While the Nazis attempt to strike, explosives destroy them,sinking their boatsand killing their gunners. Stewart kills Luhr after the fascist threatens her life. Heron helps her catch up. The Ministry deliver theDuchessato a British naval ship and wind up back in prison for their unsanctioned work. Churchill visits Gus and his crew in jail, bringing them a delightful feast. He explains that they work for him in all future endeavors, establishing the Ministry under official terms. The film ends with several cards explaining Gus and his friends' futures in the military.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfaretells a simple spy story with plenty of laughs and enough explosions to keep anyone engaged. While it’s certainly far from the true story, it feelslike a good video gamein its bombastic presentation. Fans can seeThe Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfarein theaters when it drops on July 12, 2025.
