Apparently this action-comedy directed and co-written by Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes, Snatch, The Gentlemen) flopped when it came out in theaters. It’s such a swashbuckling tale—full of humor, action, adventure, bad people, good people, and rule-following people—I can’t imagine people not liking it. Plus, it’s inspired by a true story: Operation Postmaster, discovered when the British War Department declassified its WWII files.
It tells the story of the first-ever special forces organization, formed during the war by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Rory Kinnear) and a small group of military officials. The top-secret combat unit composed of rogue operators dodges and weaves on the open sea, attempting to evade capture by the Nazis and the British both. We spend a lot of time on a tall ship with Gus March-Phillips (Henry Cavill) and his gang of mavericks and on an island with Heron (Babs Olusanmokun), the Nazis, and the residents.
THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE
What’s it rated? R
When? 2024
Where’s it showing? Netflix
The dialogue was witty in the way that only Guy Ritchie can pace it with action that builds to a crescendo of explosions, a chase, and all the storylines coming together—on a boat, of course. Lucky for everyone, Netflix started streaming it in August. Get your popcorn and leftover Halloween candy ready. (122 min.) ∆
This article appears in Nov 12-19, 2026.
