The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

What’s it about?

With indirect support from Prime Minister Winston Churchill during World War II, Gus March-Phillips (Henry Cavill) leads a group of highly skilled soldiers who use unconventional tactics to strike the German army on the Spanish island of Fernando Po. Their goal is to change the course of the war by neutralising Hitler’s fleet of German U-boats and destroying an Italian supply ship. However, they are forced to change their strategy after receiving updated information.

The facts

• Directed by Guy Ritchie (Snatch, Sherlock Holmes and The Gentlemen)
• English language
• Runtime: 121 minutes
• Based on the book Churchills’ Secret Warriors: The Explosive True Story of the Special Forces Desperadoes of WWII by Damien Lewis.
• A highly fictionalised version of Operation Postmaster.

Why did it get this rating?

This film was self-rated by Prime Video. You can find out more about self-rating by streaming providers here.

Violence

Violence is shown throughout the film. This includes gun violence, bombings and stabbings. While there is a lot of violence it is dampened by the comedic tone of the film. Sound effects are mostly used to convey the violence and injuries are not shown in detail. The strongest scenes of violence include:

• One character uses a bow and arrow, and sometimes uses the arrows to stab people. He is later shown wielding an axe also.
• A man is hung naked by his wrists from the ceiling, implying that he has been tortured. This is shown from a distance and no injuries are visible.
• Electrodes are clamped to a man’s nipples where there are blood stains on his shirt, also implying torture. Despite this the character seems to be in a somewhat cheery mood.
• One character cuts out the heart of another and later says that his plan is to take home a barrel full of “Nazi hearts.”

Offensive language

Highly offensive language is used occasionally in the film including “f*ck.” Jewish and black people are spoken about in a derogatory way.

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?