It’s not even out yet, but already a new World War II film has been described as potentially ‘one of the greatest ever made.’
Set for release in cinemas later this year, the film is set during the 72 hours before the D-Day landing.
The plot follows General Dwight D. Eisenhower and meteorologist Captain James Stagg as they prepare to launch the largest and most dangerous seaborne operation in military history.
It stars The Mummy icon Brendan Fraser as Eisenhower and Andrew Scott as Stagg, with Kerry Condon also appearing as Captain Kay Summersby, and Damian Lewis as Marshall Bernard Montgomery.
Titled Pressure, it is directed by Anthony Maras (Hotel Mumbai) and based on a stage play by Cobra star David Haig.
Already, the film is generating positive buzz, with many expecting it to become a future classic of the World War II genre.
As the trailer landed on YouTube, viewers shared their excitement, with user NewsMania-ot3pq predicting: ‘we are about to witness one of the greatest war films ever made.’
musiclovr92029 also felt that Pressure could follow in the footsteps of the greats, suggesting that ‘Oscar nods and nominations might be in order for this cast and movie with maybe a win or two in the future…’
Meanwhile, alexleighton7587 said that ‘it looks fantastic as modern WW2 movies go,’ with BudgiePanic adding: they are cooking here.’
No, uh, pressure then.
The official synopsis to Pressure reads: ‘In the 72 hours leading up to D-Day, all the pieces are in place except for one key element—the British weather.
‘Britain’s chief meteorological officer, James Stagg (Scott), is called upon to deliver the most consequential forecast in history, locking him into a tense standoff with the entire Allied leadership. The wrong conditions could devastate the largest ever seaborne invasion, while any delay risks German intelligence catching on.
‘With only his trusted aide Captain Kay Summersby to confide in, and haunted by a catastrophic D-Day rehearsal, the final decision rests with Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower.
‘With only hours to go, the fate of the war and the lives of millions hang in the balance.’
This is familiar territory for Damian Lewis, who rose to fame playing US Army Major Richard Winters in HBO’s Band of Brothers.
This time, at least, he gets to use his own British accent.
On his being constantly cast as an ‘American dude’ after Band of Brothers, he reflected: ‘There’s definitely been a shift, because during Band of Brothers I was consciously keeping my American accent; I was mindful of it as I was playing the role. ‘
Speaking to Variety in 2011, Lewis continued: ‘And now I find that I have created an American persona for myself — I’m exaggerating a little for effect, possibly — but I feel I can be an American for a weekend.’
Describing his experience living in Los Angeles as a Brit abroad, he added: ‘I just got tired of repeating everything in an English accent when I went into a store.
‘So I would wake up sometimes and just be an American with my American accent, and it felt like the most natural thing.’
Pressure is out in UK cinemas from May 29.
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