==Introduction==__NOTOC__[[File: Dunkirk-Teaser-Poster-640x949.jpg|300px| Poster for Dunkirk Movie|left|alt text]]Dunkirk is a 2017 war film scripted, produced and directed by the Englishman Christopher Nolanabout the evacuation of British troops from Dunkirk at the start of 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 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 the British surrounded in an enclave around film is based on 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. The movie does not accurately show Hitler’s army had launched its Blitzkrieg across western Europe and had conquered the reality of Low Countries and France. The Nazi army and especially its Panzer tanks had proven too strong for the Luftwaffe attacks on the British units assembled at allies. They have managed to drive a large force of British and French troops into an area around the port of Dunkirk. In The British and the filmFrench, many of the attacks are carried out by Meschershmidt ME fightersnumbering over 300,000 were surrounded and under constant aerial bombardment. However, who are show strafing the beaches at Dunkirk. This is true but British Royal Navy with the movie does not show that assistance of many Stukas’ were also involved in merchant navy and civilian craft evacuated most of the German air raids and these diveAnglo-bombers wreaked havoc on French army, in a plan codenamed Operation Dynamo. The British hailed this as a major success and Churchill described it as the British units in May 1940‘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, It was widely believed that if the movie fails British has 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. The evacuation of Dunkirk was a major boost for British ships. In morale at a time when they had effectively to fight the movie, the Luftwaffe are showing as sinking many Royal Navy and other vesselsNazis and their allies on their own. 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 their forces from Dunkirk. 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. ==== 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 begins when the British forces some protection. These air planes played a crucial role in surrounded in an enclave around the successful evacuation port of Dunkirk. In It shows them under constant aerial attack from the movie, the pivotal role of Luftwaffe and losing many men to the Spitfire is shown very German air force. The movie does not accurately. In one scene, show the reality of the troops Luftwaffe attacks on the beach are showing clapping and cheering as British units assembled at Dunkirk. In the see one film, many of the planes in the sky and this actually happened<ref> Lordattacks are carried out by Meschershmidt ME fighters, Walter. The Miracle of who are shown strafing the beaches at Dunkirk. New York: The Viking Press, 1982 / London: Allen Lane, 1983, p. 156</ref>. In total, This is true but the movie does not show that many Stukas’ were also involved in the RAF flew some 3500 sorties over Dunkirk German air raids and they lost some 150 planes these dive-bombers wreaked havoc on the British units in May 1940.<ref> MacDonaldFreiser, John. Great Battles of World War II (Toronto, Canada: Strathearn Books Limited, 1986) p 117</ref>This is a glaring omission. HoweverMoreover, there were some who believed the movie fails to show that while the RAF could have done more. There Luftwaffe was some animosity at very effective against troops and vehicles they were very ineffective against the time between British ships. In the soldiers on movie, the ground Luftwaffe are showing as sinking many Royal Navy and the RAFother vessels. The movie does This was not show the case as the German air force was not able to sink many of British ships and this animosity very accuratelywas to be one of the primary Operation Dynamo succeeded. In one scene, a pilot played by Jack Lowden is rescued from his downed plane by a boat The movie does 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 is greeted warmlythe other troops on the beaches. However, at least one occasion, RAF pilots Churchill had previously held the Spitfires back from the action in France. He knew that the French were defeated and that after Hitler had to fight their way onto rescue boats, with more than a few of those conquered Paris that he would turn his sights on board shouting Britain. The Spitfire was needed to let them down. [[File: Dunkirk-Teaser-Poster-640x949protect the United Kingdom against the onslaught of the Luftwaffe.jpg|200px| Poster for However, given the situation at Dunkirk Movie|left|alt text]]==The Maritime aspect of Dunkirk==The , Churchill ordered the RAF to the area to offer the British plan was simpleforces some protection. It sought to get as many troops off These air planes played a crucial role in the beaches and back to Englandsuccessful evacuation of Dunkirk. In 1940the movie, the British Royal Navy and merchant fleet were pivotal role of the biggest in the worldSpitfire is shown very accurately. In one scene, the movie troops on the German navy is not shown beach are showing clapping and this was cheering as the case. The Nazi battle fleet, would not have stood a chance against see one of the might of planes in the Royal Navy sky and the German’s attacked the British mainly by air and landthis actually happened. This is all depicted very well in the movie<ref> Lord, Walter. The bravery Miracle of the Royal Navy is very well-shown in the movie as well as their crucial role in the success of the evacuation. Dunkirk. New York: The film also correctly shows how Viking Press, 1982 / London: Allen Lane, 1983, p. 156</ref> In total, the Royal Navy commandeered civilian ships for use in the operation to rescue the members of the British Expeditionary ForceRAF flew some 3500 sorties over Dunkirk and they lost 150 planes. <ref> MacDonald, John. This was necessary because not even the powerful Royal Navy had enough suitable ships and indeed many Great Battles of its ships were too large to approach the beaches and if they had they would World War II (Toronto, Canada: Strathearn Books Limited, 1986) </ref> However, there were some who believed that the RAF could have run agrounddone more. This led them to commandeer every suitable private ship, these became known as There was some animosity at the time between the ‘Little Boats’ of Dunkirk. Many private individuals sailed to what was effectively a battle-zonesoldiers on the ground and the RAF. In the The movie Mr Dawson, played by Mark Rylance does not show this animosity very accurately. In one scene, a pilot played by Jack Lowden is ordered to give rescued from his downed plane by a boat to the Royal Navy he agrees to this request but only if he can sail it himself to Dunkirk, and is greeted warmly. This was common during the operation However, at Dunkirk and a small armada of private least one occasion, RAF pilots had to fight their way onto rescue boats, including yachts and fishing boats helped with more than a few of those on board shouting to evacuate many soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk and saved let them from capture or possible death at the hands of the Germansdown. One ===The Maritime aspect of the most significant inaccuracies of the movie is that it overstates the role of the ‘Little Ships of Dunkirk’ <ref> MacDonald, p. 156</ref>Dunkirk===[[File: DUNKIRK1940.jpg|300px|left|thumbnail|British soldiers being evacuated from Dunkirk]]Operation Dynamo sought to get as many troops off the beaches and back to England. The role of In 1940, the British Royal Navy and merchant fleet were the private ships biggest in Operation Dynamo has been overstated at the time and sinceworld. Historians has proven that only one in twenty of In the movie the soldiers rescued at Dunkirk German navy is not shown and this was taken onboard one of the ‘Little Ships’case. The clear majority Nazi battle fleet, would not have stood a chance against the might of those saved from the Nazis on Royal Navy. The bravery of the French beaches were taken to safety by Royal Navy is very well-shown in the Royal Navy. Nolan’s movie does overstate as well as their crucial role in the role success of the ‘Little Ships’ and in this sense the movie is inaccurate. evacuation. The movie film also correctly shows how the evacuation as a great success and shows many thousands Royal Navy commandeered civilian ships for use in the operation to rescue the members of troops being taken to Englandthe British Expeditionary Force. This is factually correct. The British was necessary because not even the powerful Royal Navy had been taken aback by the collapse in France and they had no plans enough suitable ships to evacuate their troopsland at Dunkirk. They had to improvise to save Most of the British Expeditionary Force and their alliesRoyal Navy's ships were too large to approach the beaches. In the planning stages of the evacuation If they Royal Navy had believed that tried, they could only save about one tenth of the men, approximately 30,000would have run aground. Thanks This led them to commandeer every suitable private ship, these became known as the efforts ‘Little Boats’ of Dunkirk. Many private individuals sailed to what was effectively a battle-zone. In the Royal Navymovie Mr Dawson, Merchant fleet and private ships some 300,000 men were taken back played by Mark Rylance is ordered to give his boat to Britain<ref> MacDonald, p. 213</ref>the Royal Navy he agrees to this request but only if he can sail it himself to Dunkirk. This in effect meant that was common during the core of the British army had been saved. Thisoperation at Dunkirk and a small armada of private boats, the movie shows very accurately including yachts and how what was essentially a defeat was turned into a triumph. [[File: DUNKIRK1940.jpg|200px| British fishing boats helped to evacuate many soldiers being evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk |left|alt text]]and saved them from capture or possible death at the hands of the Germans. == Historical Characters==The One of the most significant inaccuracies of the movie has a great many charactersis that it overstates the role of the ‘Little Ships of Dunkirk. However’ <ref> MacDonald, none of them are based on historical charactersp. None 156</ref> The role of the British soldiers shown private ships in Operation Dynamo was overstated at the movie are based on real-life individualstime and has been since. Not even This does not discount the leading figures in bravery of the evacuation are portrayed civilian sailors who ferried troops back from Dunkirk. Historians has proven that only one in twenty of the motion picture. The best example of this is Kenneth Branagh's Commander Bolton. In Nolan’s movie, he is shown as soldiers rescued at Dunkirk was taken onboard one of the leading figures during ‘Little Ships’. The clear majority of those saved from the Nazis on the operation and key French beaches were taken to safety by the success of Operation DynamoRoyal Navy. In factNolan’s movie does overstate the role of the ‘Little Ships.' Still, there was no commander Bolton and he it makes sense why Nolan would want to focus on this part of the Dunkirk evacuation because it is rather a composite characteran incredibly compelling story that civilians risked their lives to save their countrymen and allies. He is loosely based on several important Royal Navy figures who played crucial roles in The movie shows the evacuation, such as Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, who oversaw the evacuationa great success and this is factually correct. Bolton's duties in The British had been taken aback by the film include collapse of France and they had no plans to evacuate their troops. They had to improvise to save the British Expeditionary Force and their allies. In the role planning stages of the evacuation they Royal Navy had believed that they could only save about one tenth of pier master, who organizes the boarding soldiers onto the shipsmen, butapproximately 30, this was all overseen by James Campbell Clouston<ref> Atkin, Ronald000. Pillar Thanks to the efforts of Fire: Dunkirk 1940. Edinburgh: Birlinn Limitedthe Royal Navy, 1990Merchant fleet and private ships some 300,000 men were taken back to Britain.<ref> MacDonald, p. 213</ref>. Nolan has been widely criticized for This in effect meant that the creation core of composite charactersthe British army had been saved. In this senseThis, the movie is shows very inaccurate accurately and it does not recognize the role of the many brave individuals who helped to save the British armyhow what was essentially a defeat was turned into a triumph. === What about the other countries?Historical Characters===The movie was criticized for focusing too much has several characters, but none of them are based on historical figures. In reality, none of the British involvement. Dunkirk has a special place soldiers shown in the movie are based on real-life individuals. Not even the leading figures in British history and the success of Operation Dynamo helped to save the country from a Nazi invasion. However, while evacuation are portrayed in the British were the main protagonists in Operation Dynamo other countries were also involvedmotion picture. The best example of this is Kenneth Branagh's Commander Bolton. In factNolan’s movie, there were many nationalities who were also present at he is shown as one of the fighting and leading figures during the evacuation of Dunkirk. There were tens of thousands of French operation and Belgian soldiers who had retreated with the British key to the areasuccess of Operation Dynamo. They also wanted to be evacuated In fact, there was no commander Bolton and they wanted to avoid capture by the Nazishe is a composite character. Many of these wanted to escape to England to continue He is loosely based on several important Royal Navy figures who played crucial roles in the fight for their nation’s freedom. None of evacuation, such as Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, who oversaw the French and Belgium contingents at Dunkirk are shown<ref> MacDonald, pevacuation. 213</ref>. There are also no Canadians Bolton's duties in the film include the role of pier master, who organizes the boarding soldiers shown in onto the movieships, but, there this was also a sizeable contingent of men from the Royal Canadian Army serving with the British Expeditionary Forceall overseen by James Campbell Clouston.<ref> Atkin, Ronald. Another criticism Pillar of Nolan’s movie is that all the servicemen in the film are whiteFire: Dunkirk 1940. This was not the case at the timeEdinburgh: Birlinn Limited, 1990</ref> Nolan has been widely criticized for the British and the French had vast colonial Empires in Asia and Africacreation of composite characters. The British has Indian units and In this sense, the French several African units at Dunkirk <ref> Atkin, p. 115</ref>. The film has caused some controversy in India as movie is very inaccurate and it failed to show does not recognize the role of the many Indian soldiers brave individuals who served with helped to save the British at Dunkirk or the very many French colonial troopsarmy. Granted, mainly African who were among those present at Nolan's approach gives Nolan more flexibility in the portrayal of these characters. He isn't bound by the battleconfines of historical accuracy. [[File=== What about the other countries?===[[File: Dunkirksoldier1.jpg|200px300px|left|thumbnail| British soldiers fighting at Dunkirk |left|alt text]]==How accurate was Dunkirk==The movie is primarily focused has been criticized for focusing too much on action and by the British involvement. Dunkirk has a special place in British history and large it shows the events that unfolded during success of Operation Dynamo very accuratelyhelped to save the country from a Nazi invasion. It shows However, while the courage of British were the participants and how the operation main protagonists in Operation Dynamo other countries were also involved. In fact, there were many nationalities who were also present at Dunkirk achieved the unthinkable fighting and saved almost an entire armythe evacuation of Dunkirk. Nolan’s movie also shows the importance There were tens of thousands of the RAF French and Belgian soldiers who had retreated with the Royal Navy British to the success of the evacuationarea. However, there are inaccuracies They also wanted to be evacuated and they wanted to avoid capture by the Nazis. Many of these include wanted to escape to England to continue the fact that the Luftwaffe was not as effective as shown and it did not really deal with the issue fight for their nation’s freedom, none of why the Germans did not try French and press home their advantage Belgium contingents at Dunkirk much more forcefullyare shown.<ref> MacDonald, p. Another significant inaccuracy was that none 213</ref> Thousands of the historical characters involved in Operation Dynamo are shown and that the movie used composite charactersFrench soldiers also sacrificed their lives in an effort to protect the British troops in Dunkirk. There are also no Canadians soldiers shown in the movie. There was also a sizable contingent of men from the Royal Canadian Army serving with the British Expeditionary Force. Nolan’s movie is that all the servicemen in the film are white. This was not the case at the time, the British and the French had vast colonial Empires in Asia and Africa. The British has Indian units and the French several African units at Dunkirk.<ref> Atkin, p. 115</ref> The film has caused some controversy in India as it failed to show the many Indian soldiers who served with the British at Dunkirk or the very many French colonial troops, mainly African who were among those present at the battle. ==How accurate was Dunkirk?==The movie is primarily focused on action and by and large it shows how the events that unfolded during Operation Dynamo. It also focuses on the courage of the participants 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 success of the evacuation. 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. HoweverInstead, 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 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 1940.
