There are some beautifully written supporting characters enlivened by astute performances, particularly from James Purefoy as King George and Richard Durden as South African prime minister Jan Smuts.

For all its fanciful silliness, this is an interesting and original study of a magnificent but unsaintly man raging in the dark against the dying of the light.

Over-desperate to legitimise his bullishness, it buckles under the weight of its own self-importance.

"Churchill" moves astutely like a countdown clock, giving the film a historical and palpable sense of urgency.