A Look Into Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

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Written By VS BRANDS

Written by Vincent Smith & Michael Lee

*All Media in this article is courtesy Lionsgate

'The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare', directed by Guy Ritchie, was released on April 19, 2024, by Lionsgate Films and stars Henry Cavill, Eiza González, Alan Ritchson along with Alex Pettyfer. The film, which grossed nearly $9 million in its opening weekend, is based on recently declassified British War Department files and true events from WWII. If you're a fan of action-comedy movies that blend historical facts with cinematic flair, this article will take you behind the scenes, offering insights from cast and crew interviews, film clips, and a detailed cast breakdown.

Cast & Crew Interviews: The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare

The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024) Official Trailer

Video via Lionsgate

Film Synopsis

The year is 1941 and the U.K is at the very height of World War II. They are struggling to overcome Hitler’s Nazi forces and their attempts to take over the bulk of Europe. There are regular bombing runs happening all over London, all orchestrated by the Luftwaffe (the aerial warfare branch of the Wehrmacht before and during WWII). The United States of America has yet to officially join the wart at this point, however their aid and supply shipcraft commanded by FDR are being constantly destroyed by the German U-boats. With the indirect support of Winston Churchill, the U.K’s Prime Minister, a man named Brigadier Colin Gubbins prepares to assume a mission called Operation Postmaster, a covert mission intended to disrupt the Nazi’s and their U-Boat supply mission which is taking place on Fernando Po, a Spanish controlled island off the coast. SOE (Special Operations Executive) Frederich Heron and Majorie Stewart depart by train while Colin Gubbins enlists a renegade commando named Gus March-Phillips to assemble a ground force of troopers to attempt to destroy Duchessa d'Aosta, an Italian supply ship, and the attaching two trolleys.

Film Clip: ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’ - “The Briefcase” | Video via Lionsgate

Gus and his accompanying allies (Freddy Alvarrez, Henry Hayes, and Danish officer Anders Lassen) are aboard a Danish fish trawler called Maid of Honor begin their journey to Fernando Po. We learn that Gubbins has sent ahead a man named Geoffrey Appleyard, a SOE saboteur who has been captured by the Gestapo (with Gubbins falsely assuming that Gus-Wilson Philliips would show interest in Appleyard joining their forces.) This capture leads the force to divert course to the Canary Islands, a Nazi controlled section of land for a rescue mission of Mr. Appleyard. Now, Majorie and Heron have arrived early on the island and use Heron’s illegal gambling hall for recruitment backup for Gus’s brigade. Majorie then seduces a man named Heinrrich Luhr, an SS (The Schutzstaffel, an elite force of the Nazi regime) commander while Gus has recently learned that the Duchessa d’Aosta is scheduled to depart three days ahead of schedule. This influences Gus to have his crew sail through a British naval blockade through the Nazi occupied West Africa, even though the risk of being arrested is high.

Film Clip: ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’ - “Plugged Full of Aarows” | Video via Lionsgate

It is now the night of the intended raid and both Heron and Majorie have both learned that Luhr has had the hull of Gus’s ship, the Duchessa d’Aosta, reinforced despite the reservations of the Italian attache and warn Gus of this just in the knick of time. Gus and Appleyard then both decide that the next course of action is to then hijack the ships and use them as a bargaining chip after it is revealed there is a mole in Gubbin’s crew who has revealed the mission to their senior command. Luhr eventually sees right through Majorie though the raid is successful regardless and Majorie ultimately assassinates Luhr by shooting him in the head. The team is arrested while delivering boats to the British fleet right outside of Lagos but are later saved by Churchill and his ‘Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’, as their actions have really impacted the naval strength of the Nazis. They allow the U.S who have now just entered the war after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor to join the European Theatre.

Film Clip: ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’ - “Marjorie Meets Luhr” | Video via Lionsgate

As the credits roll, there are montages detailing the character’s eventual activities in the following events of WWII. It is revealed that Gus-March Phillips would later become a war hero for leading several similar raids during the war. Majorie Stewart is revealed to have married Phillips right before the start of her long movie career and Geoffrey Appleyard would later become a highly accomplished spy who had suffered many years of Nazi torture without breaking once. And Anders Lassen would go on to be part of a great many raids until his untimely death in 1945. We also learn that famed author Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond novels, had been a part of Gubbin's inner-circle at the time of these events, would go on to use Operation Postmaster as his inspiration basis for his first Bond novel, Casino Royale.

Cast Breakdown

Now, let’s breakdown the dynamic ensemble of 'The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare' featuring a lineup of stars who bring to life the daring exploits of WWII's first special forces. Below, find photos of the starring cast along with links to their IMDB pages.

Henry Cavill - ‘Gus March-Phillips’

Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage - © 2021 Mike Marsland

Eiza González - ‘Marjorie Stewart’

Photo via IMDB

Alan Ritchson - ‘Anders Lassen’

Photo via IMDB

Alex Pettyfer - ‘Geoffrey Appleyard’

Photo via IMDB

Hero Fiennes Tiffin - ‘Henry Hayes’

Photo via IMDB

Babs Olusamokun - ‘Heron’

Photo via IMDB

Henrique Zaga - ‘Captain Binea’

Photo by Kristina Bumphrey - © Lionsgate

Til Schweiger - ‘Heinrich Luhr’

Henry Golding - ‘Freddy Alvarez’

Cary Elwes - Brigadier Gubbins 'M'

Photo via IMDB

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare In The Media

Upon its release, 'The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare' sparked a flurry of media coverage, dissecting everything from its historical accuracy to its cinematic execution. Below, is a list providing a comprehensive breakdown of the film's reception across various major publications, highlighting the diverse perspectives and critiques that have shaped its public and critical perception.

Conclusion

'The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare' not only entertains but also enriches, offering a window into a lesser-known chapter of WWII through the lens of Guy Ritchie's distinctive style. The film melds action, comedy, and history, supported by a stellar cast and is grounded in the intriguing real-life formation of the British SAS. Its portrayal of unconventional warfare tactics and the impact these had on the war’s outcome provides a compelling narrative that seems to have resonated with audiences and critics alike, despite its modest box office opening. For more movie breakdowns, be sure to check out our movie blog!

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