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[[File:Dunkirk_Movie.jpg|300px400px|thumbnail|left|<i>Dunkirk</i>]]Dunkirk is a 2017 war film scripted, produced , and directed by the Christopher Nolan about the evacuation of British troops ' evacuation from Dunkirk at the start of 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 primarily shot on location in Dunkirk, France. Nolan’s motion picture has been a critical and box-office success of the summer of 2017.

The film is based on the Battle of Dunkirk and Operation Dynamo in May 1940. Operation Dynamo was the all -out effort 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 German 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 Dunkirk's port of Dunkirk. The British and the French, numbering over 300,000 were , 're surrounded and under constant aerial bombardment.

However, the British Royal Navy with the assistance of many merchant navy and civilian craft , the British Royal 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>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 have not been able to evacuate their forces from Dunkirk that the country would have been defenseless in the face of Germany and could have lost the war. The Dunkirk's evacuation of Dunkirk was a major boost for British morale at a time when they had effectively failed to fight the Nazis Germans and their allies on their owneffectively. 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 Dunkirk's 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.{{Mediawiki:TabletAd1}}==== The aerial battle over Dunkirk====

The movie begins began when the British were surrounded in an enclave around the port of Dunkirk. It shows them under constant aerial attack from the Luftwaffe and losing many men to the German air force. The movie does not accurately show the reality of the Luftwaffe attacks on the British units assembled at Dunkirk. In the film, many of the attacks are carried out by Meschershmidt ME fighters, who which are shown strafing the beaches at Dunkirk. This is true , but the movie does not show that many Stukas’ were also involved in the German air raids and these dive-bombers wreaked havoc on the British units in May 1940.<ref>Freiser, p 117</ref> This is a glaring omission. Moreover, the movie fails to show that while the Luftwaffe was very effective against troops and vehicles , they were very ineffective against the British ships. In the movie, the Luftwaffe are is showing as sinking many Royal Navy and other vessels. This was not the case as the German air force was could not able to sink many of British ships and this , which was to be one of the primary reason Operation Dynamo succeeded.

The movie does also did show the role of the British Spitfire in the evacuation. As shown in the movie, Spitfires provided much -needed air cover to the British and the other troops on the beaches. Churchill had previously held the Spitfires back from the action in France. He knew that the French were defeated and that after Hitler had conquered Paris that , he would turn his sights on Britain. The Spitfire was needed to protect the United Kingdom against the onslaught of the Luftwaffe. However, given the situation at Dunkirk, Churchill ordered the RAF to the area to offer the British forces some protection. These air planes airplanes played a crucial role in the successful evacuation of Dunkirk. In the movie, the pivotal role of the Spitfire is shown very accurately.

In one scene, the troops on the beach are showing show clapping and cheering as the they see one of the planes in the sky , and this actually happened.<ref> Lord, Walter. The Miracle of Dunkirk. New York: The Viking Press, 1982 / London: Allen Lane, 1983, p. 156</ref> In total, the RAF flew some 3500 sorties over Dunkirk and they lost 150 planes. <ref> MacDonald, John. Great Battles of World War II (Toronto, Canada: Strathearn Books Limited, 1986) </ref> However, there were some who believed that the RAF could have done more. There was some animosity at the time between the soldiers on the ground and the RAF. The movie does not show this animosity very accurately. In one scene, a pilot played by Jack Lowden is rescued from his downed plane by a boat, and is greeted warmly. However, on at least one occasion, RAF pilots had to fight their way onto rescue boats, with more than a few of those on board shouting to let them downdrown.

====The Maritime aspect of Dunkirk====

Operation Dynamo sought to get as many troops off the beaches and back to England. In 1940, the British Royal Navy and merchant fleet were the biggest in the world. In the movie , the German navy is not shown and this was the case. The Nazi German battle fleet, would not have stood a chance against the might of the Royal Navyavoided battle. The bravery of the Royal Navy is very well-shown in the movie as well as and their crucial role in the success of the evacuation. 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.

This was necessary because not even the powerful Royal Navy had enough suitable ships to land at Dunkirk. Most of the Royal Navy's ships were too large to approach the beaches. If they had tried, they would have run aground. This led them to commandeer every suitable private ship, these . These became known as the ‘Little Boats’ of Dunkirk. Many private individuals sailed to what was effectively a battle-zone. In the movie , Mr . Dawson, played by Mark Rylance , is ordered to give his boat to the Royal Navy he . He agrees to this request , but only if he can sail it himself to Dunkirk. This was common during the operation at Dunkirk and a . A small armada of private boats, including yachts and fishing boats , helped to evacuate many soldiers from the Dunkirk's beaches of Dunkirk and saved them from capture or possible death at the Germans' hands of the Germans.

One of the most significant inaccuracies of the movie is that it overstates the role of the ‘Little Ships of Dunkirk.’ <ref> MacDonald, p. 156<dh-ad/ref> The role of the private ships in Operation Dynamo was overstated at the time and has been since. This does not discount the bravery of the civilian sailors who ferried troops back from Dunkirk. Historians has proven that only one in twenty of the soldiers rescued at Dunkirk was taken onboard one of the ‘Little Ships’. The clear majority of those saved from the Nazis on the French beaches were taken to safety by the Royal Navy. Nolan’s movie does overstate the role of the ‘Little Ships.' Still, 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 One of the most significant inaccuracies of the movie shows is that it overstates the role of the evacuation as a great success and this is factually correct‘Little Ships of Dunkirk.’<ref> MacDonald, p. 156</ref> The British had been taken aback by role of the collapse of France and they had no plans to evacuate their troops. They had to improvise to save private ships in Operation Dynamo was overstated at the British Expeditionary Force time and their allieshas been since. In This does not discount 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 clear majority of those saved from the efforts of Germans on the Royal Navy, Merchant fleet and private ships some 300,000 men French beaches were taken back to Britainsafety by the Royal Navy.<ref> MacDonald, p. 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, it makes sense why Nolan would want to focus on this part of the movie shows very accurately Dunkirk evacuation because it is an incredibly compelling story that civilians risked their lives to save their countrymen and how what was essentially a defeat was turned into a triumphallies.

=== Historical Characters===The movie has several characters, but none of them are based on historical figures. In reality, none of the British soldiers shown in the movie are based on real-life individuals. Not even the leading figures in shows the evacuation are portrayed in the motion pictureas a great success, and this is factually correct. The best example of this is Kenneth BranaghBritish had been taken aback by France's Commander Boltoncollapse and had no plans to evacuate their troops. In Nolan’s movie, he is shown as one of They had to improvise to save the leading figures during the operation British Expeditionary Force and key to the success of Operation Dynamotheir allies. In factthe evacuation planning stages, there was no commander Bolton and he is a composite character. He is loosely based on several important the Royal Navy figures who played crucial roles in had believed that they could only save about one-tenth of the evacuationmen, such as Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsayapproximately 30, who oversaw 000. Thanks to the evacuation. BoltonRoyal Navy's duties in the film include the role of pier masterefforts, Merchant fleet, who organizes the boarding soldiers onto the and private ships, butsome 300, this was all overseen by James Campbell Clouston000 men were taken back to Britain.<ref> AtkinMacDonald, Ronald. Pillar of Fire: Dunkirk 1940p. Edinburgh: Birlinn Limited, 1990213</ref> Nolan has been widely criticized for the creation of composite characters. In this sense, the movie is very inaccurate and it does not recognize the role of the many brave individuals who helped to save This in effect meant that the British army. Granted, Nolan's approach gives Nolan more flexibility in the portrayal of these characterscore had been saved. He isn't bound by the confines of historical accuracyThe movie shows very accurately and how what was essentially a defeat was turned into a triumph.

==== Historical Characters====The movie has several characters, but none of them are based on historical figures. In reality, none of the British soldiers shown in the movie are based on real-life individuals. Not even the leading figures in the evacuation are portrayed in the motion picture. The best example of this is Kenneth Branagh's, Commander Bolton. In Nolan’s movie, he is shown as one of the leading figures during the operation and key to the success of Operation Dynamo. In fact, there was no commander Bolton, and he is a composite character. He is loosely based on several important Royal Navy figures who played crucial roles in the evacuation, such as Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, who oversaw the evacuation. Bolton's duties in the film include the role of pier master, who organizes the boarding soldiers onto the ships, but this was all overseen by James Campbell Clouston.<ref> Atkin, Ronald. Pillar of Fire: Dunkirk 1940. Edinburgh: Birlinn Limited, 1990</ref> Nolan has been widely criticized for creating composite characters. In this sense, the movie is very inaccurate and does not recognize the many brave individuals who helped save the British army. Granted, Nolan's approach gives Nolan more flexibility in the portrayal of these characters. The confines of historical accuracy don't bound him. ==== What about the other countries?====

The movie has been criticized for focusing too much on the British involvement. Dunkirk has a special place in British history , and the success of Operation Dynamo helped to save the country from a Nazi the German invasion. However, while the British were the main protagonists in Operation Dynamo , other countries were also involved. In fact, there were many nationalities who were also present at the fighting and the Dunkirk's evacuation of Dunkirk. There were tens of thousands of French and Belgian soldiers who had retreated with the British to the area. They also wanted to be evacuated , and they wanted to avoid capture by the NazisGermans. Many of these wanted to escape to England to continue the fight fighting for their nation’s freedom, none . None of the French and Belgium contingents at Dunkirk are shown.<ref> MacDonald, p. 213</ref> Thousands of French soldiers also sacrificed their lives in an effort to protect the British troops in Dunkirk. There are also no Canadians Canadian soldiers shown in the movie. There was also a sizable contingent of men from the Royal Canadian Army serving with the British Expeditionary Force.  In <i>Dunkirk</i> all the servicemen in the film are white. This was not the case when the British and the French had vast colonial Empires in Asia and Africa. The British have numerous Indian units, and the French had several African units at Dunkirk.<ref> Atkin, p. 115</ref> The film has caused some controversy in India. It failed the Indian soldiers who served alongside the British at Dunkirk or the numerous French colonial troops, mainly African, who was also present at the battle. Nolan should have shown the sacrifices of these troops along with the British.

In <i>====How accurate was Dunkirk</i> all the servicemen in the film are white. This was not the case at the time?====The movie is primarily focused on action, the British and the French had vast colonial Empires in Asia and Africa. The British has numerous Indian units by and the French had several African units at Dunkirk.<ref> Atkinlarge, p. 115</ref> The film has caused some controversy in India as it failed shows how the Indian soldiers who served alongside events unfolded during Operation Dynamo. It also focuses on the British at Dunkirk or participants' courage and how the numerous French colonial troops, mainly African, who were also present at evacuation achieved the battleunthinkable and saved almost an entire army. Nolan should have shown Nolan’s movie also shows the sacrifices importance of these troops along with the BritishRAF and the Royal Navy to the evacuation's success. However, there are a few glaring inaccuracies.

===How accurate was Dunkirk?===The movie is primarily focused on action and by and large it shows how These include the events fact that unfolded during Operation Dynamothe Luftwaffe was not as effective as shown. It also focuses on never addressed why the courage 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 participants historical characters involved in Operation Dynamo are shown in the movies. However, Christopher Nolan was honest and how did not claim to be making a historically accurate film. Instead, he wanted to provide a dramatized version of the evacuation achieved the unthinkable events and saved almost give a new generation unfamiliar with WWII an entire armyinsight into Dunkirk. Nolan’s The English director hoped to encourage moviegoers to investigate history further themselves. The movie also shows Dunkirk is overall reliable concerning the importance of Battle. It gives the RAF and the Royal Navy to the success viewer a good overview of the evacuation. HoweverOperation Dynamo, there are but it is certainly not a few glaring inaccuraciesdocumentary of May 1940.

These include the fact that the Luftwaffe was not as effective as shown<youtube>https://www. 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 wanted to give a new generation unfamiliar with WWII an insight into Dunkirk. The English director hoped to encourage moviegoers to investigate the history further themselves. The movie Dunkirk is overall reliable with regard to the Battle and gives the viewer a good overview of Operation Dynamo but it is certainly not a documentary of what happened in May 1940youtube.com/watch?v=FwdFurGVd9g</youtube>