Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

World War I Drama Explores Love, Loss, and Controversy

11/6/2025

42 8

Summary

Story summary

Alan Bennett’s film, directed by Nicholas Hytner, is a drama set in a fictional Yorkshire town during World War I.
It follows men too old or too young to fight and women coping with repressed emotions.
Dr. Guthrie, played by Ralph Fiennes, arrives as choirmaster and provokes controversy over his German past.
He proposes a radical production of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius, emphasizing death.

1 of 1

Story summary

Alan Bennett’s film, directed by Nicholas Hytner, is a drama set in a fictional Yorkshire town during World War I.
It follows men too old or too young to fight and women coping with repressed emotions.
Dr. Guthrie, played by Ralph Fiennes, arrives as choirmaster and provokes controversy over his German past.
He proposes a radical production of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius, emphasizing death.