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==Introduction==__NOTOC__[[File:Dunkirk_Movie.jpg|400px|thumbnail|left|<i>Dunkirk</i>]]Dunkirk is a 2017 war film scripted, produced , and directed by the Englishman Christopher Nolanabout British troops' evacuation from Dunkirk during World War II. The film has an all-star cast, that includes Harry Styles, Branagh, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance , and Tom Hardy. The movie is an international co-production between the US, UK , and France. Nolan, regarded as one of the finest directors of his generation , wrote the script for the movie from three angles, land, sea , and air, in order to present a comprehensive overview of the Dunkirk's events at Dunkirk. The film was mostly primarily shot in on location in Dunkirk, France. Nolan’s motion picture was has been a critical and box-office success one of the hits of the summer of 2017. The film is based on the Battle of Dunkirk and Operation Dynamo in May 1940, the operation to evacuate the British Expeditionary Force from France. Hitler’s army had launched its Blitzkrieg across western Europe and had conquered the Low Countries and France. The Nazi army and especially its Panzer tanks had proven too strong for the allies. They have managed to drive a large force of British and French troops into an area around the port of Dunkirk. The British and the French, numbering over 300,000 were surrounded and under constant aerial bombardment. However, the British Royal Navy with the assistance of many merchant navy and civilian craft evacuated most of the Anglo-French army, in a plan codenamed Operation Dynamo. The British hailed this as a major success and Churchill described it as the ‘miracle of Dunkirk’<ref>Taylor, A.J.P. and S.L. Mayer, Eds. A History of World War Two. London: Octopus Books, 1974, p. 57</ref>. It was widely believed that if the British has not been able to evacuate their forces from Dunkirk that the country would have been defenceless and that the Germans would have gone on to win the war. The evacuation of Dunkirk was a major boost for British morale at a time when they had effectively to fight the Nazis and their allies on their own. It is widely believed that Hitler did not order a final and all-out attack on Dunkirk because he was overconfident. He ordered his Panzers to halt their advance<ref>Frieser, Karl-Heinz. The Blitzkrieg Legend: The 1940 Campaign in the West. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. 2005), p. 145</ref>. He probably did not think that the British could evacuate their forces from Dunkirk. There has been some controversy regarding the accuracy of the movie. This article will discuss how historically accurate is Christopher Nolan’s movie.
== The aerial battle over Dunkirk==The movie begins when film is based on the British surrounded in an enclave around the port Battle of Dunkirkand Operation Dynamo in May 1940. It shows them under constant aerial attack from Operation Dynamo was the Luftwaffe and losing many men all-out effort to evacuate the much-feared German air forceBritish Expeditionary Force from France. Hitler’s army had launched its Blitzkrieg across western Europe and had conquered the Low Countries and France. The movie does not accurately show German army and especially its Panzer tanks had proven too strong for the reality allies. They have managed to drive a large force of the Luftwaffe attacks on the British units assembled at and French troops into an area around Dunkirk's port. In The British and the filmFrench, numbering over 300, many of the attacks are carried out by Meschershmidt ME fighters000, who are show strafing the beaches at Dunkirk're surrounded and under constant aerial bombardment. This is true but However, with the movie does not show that assistance of many Stukas’ were also involved in the German air raids merchant navy and these dive-bombers wreaked havoc on civilian craft, the British units in May 1940Royal Navy evacuated most of the Anglo-French army in a plan codenamed Operation Dynamo. The British hailed this as a major success, and Churchill described it as the ‘miracle of Dunkirk.’<ref>FreiserTaylor, A.J.P. and S.L. Mayer, Eds. A History of World War Two. London: Octopus Books, 1974, p 117. 57</ref>. This is a glaring omission. Moreover, the movie fails It was widely believed that if the British have not been able to show evacuate their forces from Dunkirk that while the Luftwaffe was very effective against troops country would have been defenseless in the face of Germany and vehicles they were very ineffective against could have lost the war. Dunkirk's evacuation was a major boost for British ships. In morale when they had failed to fight the movie, the Luftwaffe are showing as sinking many Royal Navy and other vesselsGermans and their allies on their own effectively. This was It is widely believed that Hitler did not the case as the German air force order a final and all-out attack on Dunkirk because he was not able overconfident. He ordered his Panzers to sink a great number of British ships and this was to be one of the main reasons for the success of Operation Dynamohalt their advance.<ref>Frieser, Karl-Heinz. The movie does show the role of the British Spitfire Blitzkrieg Legend: The 1940 Campaign in the evacuationWest. As in the movie it provided much needed air cover to Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. 2005), p. 145</ref> He probably did not think that the British and the other troops on the beachescould evacuate Dunkirk's forces. Churchill had previously held There has been some controversy regarding the Spitfires back from accuracy of the action in Francemovie. He knew that the French were defeated and that after Hitler had conquered Paris that he would turn his sights on BritainThis article will discuss how historically accurate is Christopher Nolan’s movie. {{Mediawiki:TabletAd1}}====The Spitfire was needed to protect the United Kingdom against the onslaught of the Luftwaffe. However, given the situation at aerial battle over Dunkirk, Churchill ordered the RAF to the area to offer ====[[File:British_gunner_beach_dunkirk.png|left|350px|thumbnail|British gunner taking cover at Dunkirk Beach 1940]]The movie began when the British forces some protection. These air planes played a crucial role in were surrounded in an enclave around the successful evacuation port of Dunkirk. In It shows them under constant aerial attack from the movie, Luftwaffe and losing many men to the German air force. The movie does not accurately show the pivotal role reality of the Spitfire is shown very accuratelyLuftwaffe attacks on the British units assembled at Dunkirk. In one scenethe film, many of the troops on the beach attacks are carried out by Meschershmidt ME fighters, which are showing clapping and cheering as shown strafing the see one of beaches at Dunkirk. This is true, but the planes movie does not show that many Stukas’ were also involved in the sky German air raids and this actually happened<these dive-bombers wreaked havoc on the British units in May 1940.<ref> LordFreiser, Walterp 117</ref> This is a glaring omission. The Miracle of Dunkirk. New York: The Viking PressMoreover, the movie fails to show that while the Luftwaffe was very effective against troops and vehicles, 1982 / London: Allen Lane, 1983, p. 156</ref>they were very ineffective against the British ships. In totalthe movie, the RAF flew some 3500 sorties over Dunkirk Luftwaffe is showing as sinking many Royal Navy and they lost some 150 planes <ref> MacDonald, Johnother vessels. Great Battles of World War II (TorontoThis was not the case as the German air force could not sink many British ships, Canada: Strathearn Books Limited, 1986) </ref>which was the primary reason Operation Dynamo succeeded. However, there were some who believed that The movie also did show the RAF could have done more. There was some animosity at role of the time between British Spitfire in the soldiers on evacuation. As shown in the movie, Spitfires provided much-needed air cover to the ground British and the RAFother troops on the beaches. The movie does not show this animosity very accuratelyChurchill had previously held the Spitfires back from the action in France. In one sceneHe knew that the French were defeated and that after Hitler had conquered Paris, a pilot played by Jack Lowden is rescued from he would turn his downed plane by a boat, and is greeted warmlysights on Britain. However, The Spitfire was needed to protect the United Kingdom against the onslaught of the Luftwaffe. However, given the situation at least one occasionDunkirk, Churchill ordered the RAF pilots had to fight their way onto rescue boats, with more than the area to offer the British forces some protection. These airplanes played a few crucial role in the successful evacuation of those on board shouting to let them downDunkirk. In the movie, the pivotal role of the Spitfire is shown very accurately. [[File: Dunkirk-Teaser-Poster-640x949In one scene, the troops on the beach show clapping and cheering as they see one of the planes in the sky, and this actually happened.<ref> Lord, Walter.jpg|200px| Poster for Dunkirk Movie|left|alt text]]==The Maritime aspect Miracle of Dunkirk==. New York: The British plan was simple. It sought to get as many troops off the beaches and back to EnglandViking Press, 1982 / London: Allen Lane, 1983, p. 156</ref> In 1940total, the British Royal Navy RAF flew some 3500 sorties over Dunkirk and merchant fleet were the biggest in the worldlost 150 planes. <ref> MacDonald, John. In the movie the German navy is not shown and this was the case. The Nazi battle fleetGreat Battles of World War II (Toronto, would not have stood a chance against the might of Canada: Strathearn Books Limited, 1986) </ref> However, some believed that the Royal Navy and RAF could have done more. There was some animosity at the German’s attacked time between the soldiers on the British mainly by air ground and land. This is all depicted very well in the movieRAF. The bravery of the Royal Navy is movie does not show this animosity very well-shown in the movie as well as their crucial role in the success of the evacuationaccurately. The film also correctly shows how the Royal Navy commandeered civilian ships for use in the operation to rescue the members of the British Expeditionary Force In one scene, a pilot played by Jack Lowden is rescued from his downed plane by a boat and is greeted warmly. This was necessary because not even the powerful Royal Navy However, on at least one occasion, RAF pilots had enough suitable ships and indeed many to fight their way onto rescue boats, with more than a few of its ships were too large those on board shouting to approach the beaches and if they had they would have run agroundlet them drown. ====The Maritime aspect of Dunkirk====[[File: DUNKIRK1940. This led them jpg|300px|left|thumbnail|British soldiers being evacuated from Dunkirk]]Operation Dynamo sought to commandeer every suitable private ship, these became known get as the ‘Little Boats’ of Dunkirk. Many private individuals sailed many troops off the beaches and back to what was effectively a battle-zoneEngland. In 1940, the movie Mr DawsonBritish Royal Navy and merchant fleet were the biggest in the world. In the movie, played by Mark Rylance the German navy is ordered to give his boat to not shown. The German battle fleet would not have stood a chance against the Royal Navy he agrees to this request but only if he can sail it himself to Dunkirkavoided battle. This was common during The bravery of the Royal Navy is very well shown in the operation at Dunkirk movie and a small armada their crucial role in the success of private boats, including yachts and fishing boats helped the evacuation. The film also correctly shows how the Royal Navy commandeered civilian ships for use to evacuate many soldiers from rescue the beaches members of Dunkirk and saved them from capture or possible death the British Expeditionary Force. This was necessary because not even the powerful Royal Navy had enough suitable ships to land at the hands Dunkirk. Most of the GermansRoyal Navy's ships were too large to approach the beaches. One of the most significant inaccuracies of the movie is that it overstates the role of If they had tried, they would have run aground. This led them to commandeer every suitable private ship. These became known as the ‘Little Ships Boats’ of Dunkirk’ <ref> MacDonald, pDunkirk. 156</ref> Many private individuals sailed to what was effectively a battle-zone. The role of In the private ships in Operation Dynamo has been overstated at movie, Mr. Dawson, played by Mark Rylance, is ordered to give his boat to the time and sinceRoyal Navy. Historians has proven that He agrees to this request, but only one in twenty of if he can sail it himself to Dunkirk. This was common during the soldiers rescued operation at Dunkirk was taken onboard one . A small armada of the ‘Little Ships’. The clear majority of those private boats, including yachts and fishing boats, helped to evacuate many soldiers from Dunkirk's beaches and saved them from capture or possible death at the Nazis on the French beaches were taken to safety by the Royal NavyGermans' hands. Nolan’s movie does overstate <dh-ad/> One of the role most significant inaccuracies of the ‘Little Ships’ and in this sense the movie is inaccurate. The movie shows that it overstates the evacuation as a great success and shows many thousands role of troops being taken to Englandthe ‘Little Ships of Dunkirk. This is factually correct’<ref> MacDonald, p. 156</ref> The British had been taken aback by role of the collapse private ships in France Operation Dynamo was overstated at the time and they had no plans to evacuate their troopshas been since. They had to improvise to save This does not discount the British Expeditionary Force and their allies. In the planning stages bravery of the evacuation they Royal Navy had believed civilian sailors who ferried troops back from Dunkirk. Historians have proven that they could only save about one tenth in twenty of the soldiers rescued at Dunkirk was taken onboard one of the men, approximately 30,000‘Little Ships. Thanks to the efforts ’ The clear majority of those saved from the Royal Navy, Merchant fleet and private ships some 300,000 men Germans on the French beaches were taken back to Britain<ref> MacDonald, psafety by the Royal Navy. 213</ref>. This in effect meant that Nolan’s movie does overstate the core role of the British army had been saved‘Little Ships. This' Still, the movie it makes sense why Nolan would want to focus on this part of the Dunkirk evacuation because it is an incredibly compelling story that civilians risked their lives to save their countrymen and allies. The movie shows very accurately and how what was essentially the evacuation as a defeat was turned into a triumphgreat success, and this is factually correct. [[File: DUNKIRK1940.jpg|200px| The British soldiers being evacuated from Dunkirk |left|alt text]]== Historical Characters==The movie has a great many charactershad been taken aback by France's collapse and had no plans to evacuate their troops. However, none of them are based on historical characters. None of They had to improvise to save the British soldiers shown in the movie are based on real-life individualsExpeditionary Force and their allies. Not even the leading figures in In the evacuation are portrayed in planning stages, the motion picture. The best example Royal Navy had believed that they could only save about one-tenth of this is Kenneth Branagh's Commander Bolton. In Nolan’s moviethe men, he is shown as one of the leading figures during the operation and key approximately 30,000. Thanks to the success of Operation Dynamo. In factRoyal Navy's efforts, Merchant fleet, there was no commander Bolton and he is rather a composite characterprivate ships, some 300,000 men were taken back to Britain. He is loosely based on several important Royal Navy figures who played crucial roles <ref> MacDonald, p. 213</ref> This in effect meant that the evacuation, such as Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, who oversaw the evacuation. BoltonBritish army's duties in the film include the role of pier master, who organizes the boarding soldiers onto the ships, but, this core had been saved. The movie shows very accurately and how what was essentially a defeat was all overseen by James Campbell Clouston<ref> Atkinturned into a triumph. ==== Historical Characters====The movie has several characters, Ronald. Pillar but none of Fire: Dunkirk 1940them are based on historical figures. Edinburgh: Birlinn LimitedIn reality, 1990</ref>. Nolan has been widely criticized for none of the creation of composite characters. In this sense, British soldiers shown in the movie is very inaccurate and it does not recognize are based on real-life individuals. Not even the role of leading figures in the many brave individuals who helped to save evacuation are portrayed in the British armymotion picture. == What about the other countries==The movie was criticized for focusing too much on the British involvementbest example of this is Kenneth Branagh's, Commander Bolton. Dunkirk has a special place in British history In Nolan’s movie, he is shown as one of the leading figures during the operation and key to the success of Operation Dynamo helped to save the country from a Nazi invasion. HoweverIn fact, while the British were the main protagonists in Operation Dynamo other countries were also involved. In factthere was no commander Bolton, there were many nationalities who were also present at the fighting and the evacuation of Dunkirkhe is a composite character. There were tens of thousands of French and Belgian soldiers He is loosely based on several important Royal Navy figures who had retreated with played crucial roles in the British to evacuation, such as Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, who oversaw the areaevacuation. They also wanted to be evacuated and they wanted to avoid capture by Bolton's duties in the film include the role of pier master, who organizes the Nazis. Many of these wanted to escape to England to continue boarding soldiers onto the fight for their nation’s freedomships, but this was all overseen by James Campbell Clouston. None of the French and Belgium contingents at Dunkirk are shown<ref> MacDonaldAtkin, pRonald. 213<Pillar of Fire: Dunkirk 1940. Edinburgh: Birlinn Limited, 1990</ref>Nolan has been widely criticized for creating composite characters. There are also no Canadians soldiers shown in In this sense, the movie, there was also a sizeable contingent of men from is very inaccurate and does not recognize the Royal Canadian Army serving with many brave individuals who helped save the British Expeditionary Forcearmy. Another criticism of Nolan’s movie is that all the servicemen Granted, Nolan's approach gives Nolan more flexibility in the film are whiteportrayal of these characters. The confines of historical accuracy don't bound him. This was not the case at the time, ==== What about the other countries?====[[File: Dunkirksoldier1.jpg|300px|left|thumbnail| British and the French had vast colonial Empires in Asia and Africa. soldiers fighting at Dunkirk]]The movie has been criticized for focusing too much on British involvement. Dunkirk has Indian units a special place in British history, and the French several African units at Dunkirk <ref> Atkin, psuccess of Operation Dynamo helped to save the country from the German invasion. 115</ref>. The film has caused some controversy in India as it failed to show the many Indian soldiers who served with However, while the British at Dunkirk or were the very main protagonists in Operation Dynamo, other countries were also involved. In fact, many French colonial troops, mainly African who nationalities were among those also present at the battlefighting and Dunkirk's evacuation. [[File: Dunkirksoldier1.jpg|200px| British There were tens of thousands of French and Belgian soldiers fighting at Dunkirk |left|alt text]]==How accurate was Dunkirk==The movie is primarily focused on action and by and large it shows who had retreated with the events that unfolded during Operation Dynamo very accuratelyBritish to the area. It shows the courage of the participants They also wanted to be evacuated, and how they wanted to avoid capture by the operation at Dunkirk achieved the unthinkable and saved almost an entire armyGermans. Nolan’s movie also shows the importance Many of the RAF and the Royal Navy these wanted to the success escape to England to continue fighting for their nation’s freedom. None of the evacuationFrench and Belgium contingents at Dunkirk are shown. However<ref> MacDonald, there are inaccuracies and these include p. 213</ref> Thousands of French soldiers also sacrificed their lives to protect the fact that British troops in Dunkirk. There are also no Canadian soldiers shown in the Luftwaffe movie. There was not as effective as shown and it did not really deal also a sizable contingent of men from the Royal Canadian Army serving with the issue of why the Germans did not try and press home their advantage at British Expeditionary Force. In <i>Dunkirk much more forcefully</i> all the servicemen in the film are white. Another significant inaccuracy This was that none of not the case when the British and the historical characters involved French had vast colonial Empires in Operation Dynamo are shown Asia and that the movie used composite charactersAfrica. HoweverThe British have numerous Indian units, Christopher Nolan was honest and did not claim to be making a historically accurate film he wanted to provide a dramatized version of the events and wanted to give a new generation unfamiliar with WWII an insight into French had several African units at Dunkirk. <ref> Atkin, p. 115</ref> The English director hoped to encourage moviegoers to investigate film has caused some controversy in India. It failed the history further themselves. The movie Dunkirk is overall reliable with regard to Indian soldiers who served alongside the Battle and gives British at Dunkirk or the numerous French colonial troops, mainly African, who was also present at the battle. Nolan should have shown the viewer a good overview sacrifices of Operation Dynamo but it these troops along with the British. ====How accurate was Dunkirk?====The movie is certainly not a documentary of what happened in May 1940primarily focused on action, and by and large, it shows how the events unfolded during Operation Dynamo.It also focuses on the participants' courage and how the evacuation achieved the unthinkable and saved almost an entire army. Nolan’s movie also shows the importance of the RAF and the Royal Navy to the evacuation's success. However, there are a few glaring inaccuracies. These include the fact that the Luftwaffe was not as effective as shown. It also never addressed why the Germans did not try to press their advantage at Dunkirk much more forcefully, but that is a fairly minor quibble. A significant inaccuracy was that none of the historical characters involved in Operation Dynamo are shown in the movies. However, Christopher Nolan was honest and did not claim to be making a historically accurate film. Instead, he wanted to provide a dramatized version of the events and give a new generation unfamiliar with WWII an insight into Dunkirk. The English director hoped to encourage moviegoers to investigate history further themselves. The movie Dunkirk is overall reliable concerning the Battle. It gives the viewer a good overview of Operation Dynamo, but it is certainly not a documentary of May 1940. <youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwdFurGVd9g</youtube> ====References====<references/> [[Category:Historically Accurate]][[Category:World War Two History]][[Category:Military History]][[Category:20th Century History]][[Category:Wikis]]{{Contributors}}Updated Nov. 20, 2020
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