Dir: Nicholas Hytner | Main cast: Ralph Fiennes, Roger Allam, Mark Addy, Alun Armstrong, Robert Emms, Lyndsey Marshal, Ron Cook, Amara Okereke, Emily Fairn, Shaun Thomas, Jacob Dudman, Oliver Briscombe, Taylor Uttley, Simon Russell Beale. UK. 2025. 113mins
Ralph Fiennes stars alongside Simon Russell Beale and Alum Armstrong in this moving musical tribute to a First World War choral society. He is Dr Henry Guthrie conducting a choir of teenagers, soon to set off to the trenches, through a refreshingly restyled version of Edward Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius.
This classically-crafted quality drama, directed by Nicholas Hunter with a poignant script by Alan Bennett, is set in the fictional mill town of Ramsden, Yorkshire in 1916, where most of the older men have already gone to the front, leaving the choir short of singers.
Ramsden has already already had its fair share of loss and suffering: and Guthrie’s prickly personality makes matter worse often wounding the efforts of the earnest amateurs. But he too hides a heart full of sorrow. Music soon provides the healing balm, distracting the men and women from their daily trauma, and lifting spirits in collective joy, offering hope in the face of tragedy. But the transformation of the choral work into an opera is a surprise for Russell Beale’s Elgar when he makes an brief appearance in the mill town.
Men get the best roles here, the women only serving in support. But the standout is Amara Okereke who plays Mary, a devout and dulcet-voiced Salvation Army volunteer drawn to another singer Mitch (Shaun Thomas). Sex and romance also provides a boost for the other choir members: Lydsey Marshal plays sex worker Mrs. Bishop, and Emily Fairn’s Bella is hoping for news of her ‘missing in action’ love Clyde (Dudman).
The tentative romance between Guthrie and pianist Robert’s never really gets going adding a poignant edge to their parting when the young man gets his papers. The highlight of this elegant drama is the truth at its core: society boundaries of the era are ditched to allow everyone space and vulnerability to express their broken hearts. Even rich Mill owner Alderman Duxbury (Allam), who is funding the endeavour, is seen in a positive light, wishing he had a better voice.
The experienced cast helps this tender tribute trip lightly over the minor flaws of what is a moving modern classic. @MeredithTaylor
IN UK CINEMAS FROM FRIDAY