The Academy Award-winning film, “The Darkest Hour,” (PG-13) will be featured at Free Movie Night on Wednesday, March 14, 6:30 p.m., at the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County, 201 N. Mulberry Street, Mount Vernon.
Gary Oldman gives an Academy Award-winning performance as Winston Churchill in this film directed by Joe Wright (Atonement, Pan, Anna Karenina, Pride & Prejudice).
The story begins at the precipice of World War II with the inevitable loss of France and the British military facing unbelievable odds as Adolph Hitler continues his march across Western Europe. When British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain (Ronald Pickup) recommends negotiating with Hitler, he is replaced with the controversial compromise candidate, Winston Churchill.
Within days of taking office, Churchill faces one of the most turbulent and “Darkest Hours” in Great Britain’s history. Should he follow Chamberlain’s coaxing to negotiate a “peace treaty” and acquiesce to Nazi Germany, or stand firm to fight for the ideals and liberty of his nation with the possibility of destruction?
As he wrestles with the imminent threat of invasion, Churchill must convince a skeptical King George VI (Ben Mendelsohn) and endure plots from within his own political party. With encouragement from his wife, Clemmie (Kristin Scott Thomas), the public, and a timid young secretary Elizabeth (Lily James), Churchill must find the strength to withstand his darkest hour, rally a nation and change the course of history.
The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call the main library at 740-392-BOOK (2665), visit www.knox.net or email communityrelations@knox.net.