The first film focuses on his relationship with Churchill and I worried the second film would pale, because there is less Churchill and therefore less Beale. I worried unnecessarily.

It’s a rare two-part epic that doesn’t disappoint and delivers grandeur so palpable that Hollywood should feel ashamed of the garbage they put out weekly that qualifies as "epic."

Impressively photographed in widescreen, and credibly acted by its ensemble cast - including Simon Russell Beale as Churchill and Campbell Scott as FDR - this dynamic historical epic merits its combined five-hour running time.

There are plenty of Americans currently fighting fascists with as much venom as the Maquis ever did. But we are no longer automatically the good guys, and De Gaulle: Liberté is the important first step in reflecting what that world looks like onscreen.