Anne Frame wrote this press release.
During England’s dark days in June 1940, as they stand alone facing Hitler’s challenge, Winston Churchill is named Prime Minister. He must face the challenges of Nazi Germany’s rise, and come to grips with the doubts of his Cabinet and the horrendous decisions he must make. On Tuesday, October 8, 2019, beginning at 2:00 p.m., “The Darkest Hour” will be shown at Odell Public Library, 307 S. Madison Street, Morrison, IL. It is a must-see World War II movie.
The news is grim for Churchill. Nearly 300,000 of English troops are stranded at Dunkirk, with the Nazi Army rapidly advancing. Phone calls to United States President Theodore Roosevelt for the aid of 30-40 destroyers is rejected, because laws prohibit Roosevelt from helping. Lord Halifax and other lords argue fiercely to set up a meeting with Mussolini, to negotiate peace talks with Hitler, which Churchill strongly opposes. Even King George visits Churchill and urges him to barter with Hitler.
After Churchill is informed that Belgium has surrendered, and France is set to soon follow suit, he and his colleagues face the horrifying thoughts of invasion of the British Isles. He must consider peace talks with Hitler. Meanwhile, Churchill and Admiral Ramsay plan for the rescue of the 300,000 men on the beaches of Dunkirk with 860 various vessels.
Ultimately, Churchill decides completely against negotiating any peace talks. With one more speech to The House of Commons on June 4, he declares, “Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France; we shall fight on the seas and oceans; we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air; we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches. We shall fight on the landing grounds. We shall fight in the fields and in the streets. We shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender.”
Come and join us in this emotional World War II film.
The photograph shows evacuation ships that removed British soldiers from Dunkirk.
