A new French film, "De Gaulle: Resistance," is drawing attention for its portrayal of Winston Churchill not as an infallible hero, but as a complex and at times uncertain figure. The film, which stars Sir Simon Russell Beale as Churchill, presents a leader who was "tricky, wavering, humiliated by the Americans and – gasp – sometimes wrong," according to critic Peter Hitchens.

This depiction contrasts with what Hitchens describes as modern, "babyish" screen portrayals that often show Churchill as a "faultless smiley hero." He argues that such simplistic narratives obscure the historical reality of Churchill's relationships, including King George VI's distrust and the Tory Party's general dislike, which contributed to his electoral defeat in 1945.

"Truly great men, you see, are often misfits, awkward, even rude, and not always likeable, let alone popular," Hitchens writes. He also notes that these popular accounts fail to explain Churchill's "genuinely brilliant" moments alongside his frequent errors and his life on the "brink of bankruptcy," sustained by financial support from "dubious men."

The film also highlights the dynamic between Churchill and Charles de Gaulle, the leader of Free France. Simon Abkarian portrays de Gaulle, capturing his imposing stature and his often-aloof demeanor. The film depicts Britain's initial hesitant treatment of de Gaulle upon his arrival in London in June 1940, providing him with a modest room from which to rally French resistance.

A pivotal moment in the film, as described by Hitchens, is a Downing Street meeting where de Gaulle asserts himself as the embodiment of France. This claim is contested by Churchill, leading to a dramatic outburst from de Gaulle. The film suggests that Churchill eventually recognizes de Gaulle's unique understanding of power and leadership, even if it seemed "infuriating, almost crazy."

The film further explores the fraught relationship between de Gaulle and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who is depicted as "a cold, harsh and tricky man." Roosevelt is shown pressuring Churchill to control de Gaulle, a situation that parallels modern political pressures, such as Donald Trump's past interactions with Ukrainian President Zelensky.

De Gaulle's defiance of Roosevelt is presented as a strategic move to prevent France from becoming an "American vassal." The film draws a parallel to contemporary France's independent nuclear deterrent, suggesting that historical decisions continue to shape national sovereignty. Hitchens notes that this French film is based on a biography by Julian Jackson, an Englishman, whose work French academics have long considered superior to their own accounts of de Gaulle.

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"De Gaulle: Resistance" examines de Gaulle's early military actions, his flight to London, and his persistent efforts to rally the Free French through broadcasts. Despite his voice becoming familiar to many in France, his appearance remained largely unknown until his arrival in Paris in 1944.

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