Our Review

                             Movie: THE CHORAL

    Rating: R, some language and sexual content  

                                     Length: 1:53

                     Release December 25, 2025  

Jeanne: Reuniting the team of director Nicholas Hytner and writer Alan Bennett, both BAFTA, Olivier and Tony Award winners, THE CHORAL is the fourth collaboration after such notable films as THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE, THE HISTORY BOYS and THE LADY IN THE VAN. Set in the spring of 1916 in the fictional town of Ramsden, Yorkshire, it is a little less than two years since the beginning of World War I.

Alderman Duxbury (Roger Allam) is the owner of the local mill which employs most everyone in Ramsden. He’s also the chairman of the Choral Society and currently apoplectic because they don’t have enough singers for their annual concert --- or a chorus master.

Most of the men are off serving in the army, so Duxbury and his board must turn to the younger males --- and females --- in Ramsden. And despite having just returned from working in Germany, the only viable solution for chorus master is Dr. Henry Guthrie (Ralph Fiennes), much to their chagrin.

Three of the new recruits to the choir, Lofty (Oliver Briscombe), who delivers the unwanted death notices via telegrams, his best friend, Ellis (Taylor Uttley), and Mitch (Shaun Thomas), are all 17 years old, too young to volunteer. But by an Act of Parliament, all three will be conscripted on their next birthday. These three are joined by Mary (Amara Okereke), a Salvation Army volunteer, and Bella (Emily Fairn), who was already a member with her boyfriend Clyde.

Clyde, however, went off to war, and Bella hasn’t heard from him in almost a year. Fearing the worst, but not really knowing his status, she begins a friendship with Ellis which turns serious. So when Clyde (Jacob Dudman) does come home, he is devastated by Bella’s betrayal.

Complicating matters is the selection of “The Dream of Gerontius” by composer Sir Edward Elgar, which is considered a “big work” for such a small choir. Revisions are made to accommodate Ramsden’s Choral Society led by Guthrie, and all is well until Sir Edward (Simon Russell Beale) himself shows up and deems the new version unacceptable and refuses to give his permission for the performance.

THE CHORAL is a charming, yet serious examination of life in a small English town greatly affected by war. Every day, young Lofty is responsible for delivering the horrific telegrams informing loved ones of the worst possible news. And yet these people persevere --- and music is a big part of their lives. It helps soothe and relieve some of the pain by allowing the joy of singing to break through.

Bennett’s screenplay is never overbearing. War is constantly present, but the inhabitants of Ramsden are permitted to enjoy the smaller things together --- particularly falling in love. Mitch and Mary are perfect examples. She initially resists his romantic overtures, puzzling even her own mother, who is hilarious.

The ensemble cast is well suited to this era, especially Fiennes who portrays Guthrie with an initial sternness, which over time turns sympathetic to the plights facing his choir members. His performances are always inspired, but here, he is quietly superb. And the younger members prove themselves worthy, most notably Dudman who must contend with his war injuries and a broken heart.

Hytner’s film is a stark yet subtle reminder of the cruelty of war set against the pure beauty of classical music. The final concert of the Ramsden Choral Society is alone worth a trip to the theater.

                 Opens in theaters Christmas Day

Opinion: See It Now!

David: A small town in England in 1916 during World War  War I is dealing with news about its recruited soldiers, some of whom will not return. Families are notified via receipt of a telegram that one young boy named Lofty (Oliver Briscombe) must deliver. Meanwhile, the current conductor of the choral, the town’s singing body, volunteers to join the army, which opens the door for a new master.

Enter Dr. Henry Guthrie (Ralph Fiennes), who has recently returned from Germany. It is his job to replenish the talent to replace those who have left to fight.

One standout voice belongs to Amara Okereke who inspires Guthrie during the auditions. His facial expressions range from disgust to pure joy as the auditions unfold. But we would expect nothing less from an established actor like Fiennes. As for Ms. Okereke, she was named Best Actress in a musical in 2018 for her role as Cosette in LES MISERABLES at the Queen’s Theatre.

And two of the adult actors here, Roger Allam and Alun Armstrong, appeared together in the 1985 London original version of Les Mis as Inspector Javert and Thénardier the inn keeper, respectively.

In fact, director Nicholas Hytner, along with frequent collaborator Alan Bennett, who is the writer for THE CHORAL, spared nothing in amassing the abundant talent for their film. Basically, this movie is a slice-of-life story about a single performance for family and friends in the  Queen’s Hotel for all the citizens of Ramsden. Hytner and Bennett can boast of multiple BAFTA, Olivier and Tony Awards. So no one can doubt the pedigree behind the scenes.

                  Opens in theaters Christmas Day

Opinion: Mild See It Now!