World War II had such an impact on our human race that it is hardly a surprise that there seem to be countless true stories from the conflict that has yet to be been made into a film, or much less ones we’ve ever heard of. There’s another great one to add to this sub-genre of film with the Judi Dench-Eddie Izzard starring true tale, Six Minutes to Midnight.
The film is a thriller in the WWII milieu and gets its mettle from the fact that it takes place 17 days before England would declare war on Germany and vice versa, thus throwing the entire planet into an epic battle between good and evil. What is so fascinating about this particular story is how we keep hearing about the average folks who were asked to do extraordinary things all in the name of supporting their side of the war, this film shows it.
Six Minutes to Midnight commences with Izzard’s Thomas Miller arriving at an English-German girls school in seaside Britain to fill an English teacher position through an interview with Dench’s headmistresses, Miss Rocholl. It’s a glorious campus with its English castle building feel and grounds that overlook the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a beauty that hides a dark secret that could be one spoke in the wheel in maintaining the freedom of life for the entire planet.
Izzard’s Miller is half-English, half-German and as Miss Rocholl states early in the film, “it’s not easy to be a German living in England right now.” That’s an understatement. The purpose of Izzard’s presence is revealed almost immediately as he meets with a government agent who is murdered. He then becomes suspect number one. In fact, the person who did pull the trigger makes this entire endeavor about as dangerous as fighting on the front lines.
That’s the thing about a certain swath of World War II dramas is it illustrates the sacrifice and the circumstances that inhabit the world of those who were at home (Dunkirk comes to mind, among others). This was a war that was also won by the little people doing their part for their country in the homeland, along with the ultimate sacrifice made by those battle-weary souls on the front lines. It was a collective of people who inhabit a country that was united behind the defeat of the enemy. That aspect is portrayed through the most blurry of lenses as is the case with most conflicts, sometimes it cannot be black and white. With Six Minutes to Midnight, it illustrates how people have their ideological and patriotical reasons for undertaking certain actions. Although they may regret them later, it seemed like the wise choice at the time.
The heart of the film is Miller. Izzard portrays his character as an individual whose belief in his government’s role in the good versus bad debate that is about to rage over Europe, and then engulf the entire planet, is key to the successful living of freedom-loving peoples everywhere. Every action has an urgency to it that is emblematic of that time in world history. At any point, the Axis’ countries could have won and the danger of such a thing occurring was hauntingly real. That sense is felt through Izzard’s performance. He is one part calm English language teacher to a classful of German women who were sent to England for a “better education.” Miller is also one part government spy whose role in this particular battle in the war could not be more pertinent.
Izzard is the most unique of talents. His stand-up comedy is so hilarious, it frequently has me falling off my chair in utter laughter. Yet is the case with most comedic actors, the dramatic skills of the actor are top-notch (Robin Williams, anyone?). What he achieves in Six Minutes to Minute is a simultaneous expression of an urgency that would permeate the next almost decade of world history and a man committed to his part in the war that is unwavering, stoic, and never able to be questioned.
Izzard penned the screenplay with Andy Goddard and Celyn Jones. It works and tells the important details of the true tale, without getting bogged down in the politics of the school or the politics of England-German relations (Want that? Read a history book). This is a study in human beings placed in a situation that was not of their making, and yet they were asked to do their duty, avoid the enemy at all costs, and above all else—sacrifice everything for the country. Izzard captures that in spades and not only achieves that difficult task, but he also crafts characters that pop off the screen with his pen.
Dench’s schoolmistress is every bit the late 1930s educational leader who sees her girls as her own children in many ways. She cares for them and her maternal influence over these young women is palpable. The Oscar winning and legendary actress is pitch perfect in the role, and that should hardly surprise. She is as much a key to this story as Izzard’s mysterious teacher. Like I said, during World War II, everyone played a role. Her Rocholl had lived through the first World War, the Spanish Flu and endured uncertainty with the Depression that engulfed the entire planet.
Yet, there is something about how she plays this particular interlude of history that the urgency figuratively perspires through her pores. Don’t get me wrong, it is a subtle and nuanced performance. In the hands of one of the greatest actors to ever grace any medium, Dench invents a Miss Rocholl who is one aspect school headmistress, one part maternal influence and one part conflicted about the ways of the world at the moment. She too is part German; part English and life hasn’t been easy since World War I because of that fact. That sentiment is felt throughout her performance and is one mesmerizing piece of work.
James D’Arcy (Master and Commander, Cloud Atlas) is Captain Drey, who is assigned to the school to investigate a mysterious series of goings-on. His role in all of this is a mystery and in the hands of D’Arcy, it is handled with flair, conviction, and a determination that permeates through the screen. Jim Broadbent has a small role as a bus driver in the small hamlet where the school resides. Yet, by the conclusion of Six Minutes to Midnight, its conclusion would not exist without him. The actor continues his streak of incredible and important work. He is someone who doesn’t care about screen time, it, for him, is about how his character can contribute to the story. With Six Minutes to Midnight, he does that masterfully.
Director Andy Goddard has a command over the material and the pacing that is just sublime. Just as a viewer may feel that there is a bit of a doddle in the film, a moment where the tension or exposition is absent, he hits you with tension and in such a way that it resonates profusely. Kudos to Goddard for bringing this tale to life. It is beyond important that the stories of World War II, in particular, do not get forgotten. I know it seems as if there is a “true” World War II story multiple times a year at the cinemas. Many must ask, “surely, at some point we will learn all of them.” Given the scope, and the stakes of that era, that day will likely never come.
Grade: A-