Ralph Fiennes stars as Dr. Henry Guthrie, a refined choirmaster who values art over patriotism in Nicholas Hytner's adaptation of Alan Bennett's first original screenplay in over 40 years. Set in 1916, the film follows a Yorkshire village choir as they prepare Edward Elgar's oratorio 'The Dream of Gerontius' amid the First World War.
Guthrie, an urbane conductor with a past in Germany, clashes with locals who disapprove of his atheism and unspoken homosexuality. The choir's male voices dwindle due to conscription, and Guthrie reluctantly takes over, guiding young men like postboy Lofty (Oliver Briscombe) and his friend Ellis (Taylor Uttley) who seek romance before heading to the front.
Bennett's script explores contrasts between patriotism and art, with Guthrie's quiet rebellion against jingoism. The film also touches on conscientious objection through pianist Horner (Robert Emms) and the trauma of returning soldiers, such as Clyde (Jacob Dudman).
Hytner's direction gives the film a glossy, nostalgic feel, but the underlying tensions—class, sexuality, and war—add depth. Fiennes delivers a melancholic performance, while the young cast brings energy to their roles.
