The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
What’s it rated? R
When? 2024
Where’s it showing? Netflix
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 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.)
—Camillia
This article appears in November 12 – November 19, 2026.
