Albert Finney, Michael Gambon, Rod Taylor, Richard Burton, Simon Ward… plenty have embodied Winston Churchill’s bulldog spirit before. Next to take on the mantle of Britain’s great wartime leader is Brian Cox in Churchill. The movie has just gone into production as witnessed by this first look at the man himself, Winston’ed to the max.
No, it’s not what it looks like. Behind that fug of cigar smoke is Winston's wartime "V for Victory” sign, the most recognisable symbol of his dogged defiance. Unless, of course, he’s just spotted Adolf tramping through his rose bushes.
Jonathan Teplitzky's (The Railway Man) film is set in the lead-up to D-Day, May 1944, with tensions at a new high as the Allies prepare to invade France and send the Nazis reeling. Winston is feeling the pressure as he builds up to the momentous day and parlays with General Eisenhower (John Slattery), King George (James Purefoy) and his trusted secretary (Ella Purnell). His loving wife Clemmie, played by Miranda Richardson, is on hand to offer support.
“I’m looking forward to bringing this iconic but complex figure to life,” says Cox. “It’s the role of a lifetime for me and I’m so pleased to be taking this journey with both Jonathan and our great cast.” He’s currently shooting Churchill in Scotland.
Photographer: Graeme Hunter © Salon Churchill Limited 2016