Churchill's First World War

Most Americans are familiar with the brilliance of Winston Churchill's leadership during WWII, but few are aware of his frequently disastrous actions during WWI. Filmmaker Adam Kemp's BBC-aired documentary traces Churchill's unsteady record as First Lord of the Admiralty when fighting broke out in 1914. At the time, both detractors and even supporters were highly wary of the 39-year-old Churchill's unsubtle political ambitions and undisguised impatience with how the government faced the German enemy. His advocacy of expanding the battlefront from stalemate in France to a second front in Turkey resulted in Britain's blood-soaked debacle at Gallipoli. Forced to resign, Churchill sought to reinvent himself by activating a dormant military commission and taking up service on the frontlines. Despite occasional lapses in protocol—including a remarkably clumsy attempt to swing a rapid promotion to the level of general—Churchill redeemed himself as a battle leader and was reintegrated into the higher echelons of government before the end of the war. Narrated by Richard Lintern, the film combines an intelligent mix of rare photographs and newsreel footage together with tastefully presented re-enactments (although actor Adam James bears no resemblance to Churchill) based on private correspondence between Churchill and his wife, Clementine. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)