Film | Cert: 12A | ★★★★✩
George MacKay (True History of the Kelly Gang, 1917), Jannis Niewöhner and Jeremy Irons star in this new spy drama from prolific German director Christian Schwochow. Based on Robert Harris’s best-selling novel of the same name, Munich: The Edge of War tells the story of a British diplomat who travels to Munich in the run-up to World War II in an effort to stop an accord being signed between the British government and Hitler.
In autumn 1938, Europe stands on the brink of war. While Adolf Hitler is preparing to invade Czechoslovakia, British prime minister Neville Chamberlain’s government is desperately seeking a peaceful solution in the hope of sparing lives.
With the pressure mounting daily between the two forces, British civil servant Hugh Legat (MacKay) is called upon by the secret service to accompany the British delegation to Germany where a treaty of peace is to be signed. Hugh is charged with the mission of meeting with Paul von Hartman (Niewöhner), a former Oxford classmate, now German diplomat who has some vital information regarding Hitler’s plans.
Having fallen out with Paul a number of years earlier over his bourgeoning extreme nationalistic views, Hugh is surprised to find that his old friend is now part of a resistance seeking to overthrow Hitler by any means necessary.
The two find themselves in a race against time as they attempt to dissuade Chamberlain (Irons) from signing the treaty. Their plans are further hampered by the ailing politician’s refusal to listen to any opinion beside his own, leaving Hugh frustrated and Paul in danger of being found out.
Although Schwochow’s film often feels that it might have been more suited for a TV mini-series, there is no denying that its subject matter is one seldom seen in similarly themed productions. Perhaps impeded by his own TV credentials, the writer-director has made a film which is weirdly paced, but unquestionably engaging thanks to a brilliant screenplay and two magnificent central performances from MacKay and Niewöhner.
Jeremy Irons is in fine form as Chamberlain — regal, patrician and slightly unsure of his own actions.
Sadly however, Jessica Brown Findlay who can always be relied upon to bring her own brand of wide-eyed optimism and innocence to any role, here finds herself terribly underused as Hugh’s long-suffering wife, Pamela.
Despite its many structural flaws, I would be amiss if I said I didn’t enjoy every last second of this brilliantly written and gorgeously acted historical drama and would have gladly spent another six hours in the company of MacKay, Niewöhner and Irons.
