Brexit: The Uncivil War (2019)

My Review

Britain’s Channel 4 produced a made-for-television movie that takes a comprehensive look at the movement inside the United Kingdom to leave the European Union called “Brexit: The Uncivil War.” Although seemingly filmed like a documentary, director Toby Haynes and teleplay writer James Graham filled the film with enough drama to make it feel like a political thriller. It showed the behind-the-scenes activities of the Vote Leave campaign through the June 23, 2016, election where UK voters narrowly elected to leave the EU. Haynes gave the film good pacing, and wisely limited the movie to 92 minutes.

The star is Benedict Cumberbatch as Dominic Cummings, the principal political strategist for Vote Leave. As unusual, Cumberbatch delivers an excellent performance; he dominates the film. Other cast members include Rory Kinnear, Lee Boardman, Richard Goulding, John Heffernan, Oliver Maltman, Simon Paisley Day, Lucy Russel, Kyle Soller, Liz White, Kate O’Flynn, Nicholas Day, and Tim McMullan. The very watchable “Brexit: The Uncivil War” from Channel 4 and producer Lynn Horsford was aired in the United States on HBO. It was filmed in London, England.