Film Review: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare; Guy Ritchie’s “historical” actioner is at its best when letting Henry Cavill submit to gleeful chaos

Continuing his run of releasing movies at a breakneck speed – his fourth directorial effort in three years, with another in post-production – Guy Ritchie‘s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare very much sits in his wheelhouse, for better or worse.  Though a tighter focus on its narrative would’ve ultimately benefitted this brash “based on a true story” actioner, Ministry… still manages enough mileage out of its cheeky mentality, thanks in large part to his committed ensemble (a Ritchie staple at this point).

Ultimately a film that splits itself into two alternating timelines, Ministry‘s overall narrative centres itself around Winston Churchill’s World War II dilemma as the United Kingdom struggles to halt Nazi Germany’s attempts to take over Europe, with London regularly suffering bombing runs at the hands of the Luftwaffe. With their supply and aid ships constantly sunk by German submarines, Brigadier Colin Gubbins (Cary Elwes), with the indirect backing of Churchill (here played by Rory Kinnear), prepares to initiate Operation Postmaster, an off the books black-ops sabotage mission intended to disrupt the Nazis’ U-boat resupply operation on the Spanish-controlled island Fernando Po.

Leading said operation is Gus March-Phillips (Henry Cavill, once again being utilised to the best of his abilities under Ritchie’s direction), who takes to the seas, with fellow agent Marjorie Stewart (Eiza González) a Jewish undercover operative, set by train to seduce Heinrich Luhr (Til Schweiger), a sadistic Nazi operative.  The competing shenanigans of Gus and his crew and Marjorie’s honeypot plot means Ministry… doesn’t always submit to a natural rhythm, with Gus’ crew proving the more entertaining aspect of the two; though this isn’t a slight on González, as an eventual exchange with Heinrich, where she reveals she is Jewish, but then turns it around as a joke, is a tense, near-unsettling moment that speaks to her captivating nature.  Her storyline feels like it deserves its own film.

The aforementioned shenanigans of Gus and his crew prove so entertaining that you can’t help but wanted Ritchie spend more time with them indulging in their gleeful chaos and slight homoeroticism.  Between the hulking Anders Lassen (Alan Ritchson, the film’s MVP) and his penchant for brutality (and playful, perhaps serious flirting with Henry Golding‘s Freddy Alvarez), the genuine consideration towards Kambili Kalu (Danny Sapani), and the wild intricacies they adhere to when rescuing their comrade, British Army Officer Geoffrey Appleyard (Alex Pettyfer), there’s an organic rapport at play as they unite in their disinterest in authority.

You wish that either Ritchie and his three co-writers (Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson and Arash Amel) strengthened the connection between Gus and Marjorie’s stories (in real life the two actually wed), or that they made more narrative room for the ministry in favour over the few-too many cabinet meetings thar Churchill holds throughout.  Necessary within the realms of history, yes, but in an action film that sells itself on the movements of its titular motley crew (especially one led by someone as watchable as Cavill), you can’t help but want more.

By no means is The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare not worth the streaming minutes it’ll acquire – Cavill’s tongue-wagging is worth the viewing alone – just more a missed opportunity.  There’s so much at play here that some fine tuning or slight exorcising on certain narrative strands could’ve truly benefitted Ritchie’s well-intentioned, charismatic vehicle.

THREE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is now streaming on Prime Video.

Peter Gray

Seasoned film critic. Gives a great interview. Penchant for horror. Unashamed fan of Michelle Pfeiffer and Jason Momoa.