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The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Wafare (UHD Blu-ray) Review



Studio: Lionsgate 
Release Date: June 25, 2024
Rating: R
Film: 3/5

Plot
Based upon recently declassified files of the British War Department and inspired by true events. It tells the story of the first-ever special forces organization formed during WWII by UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill and a small group of military officials including author Ian Fleming. The top-secret combat unit, composed of a motley crew of rogues and mavericks, goes on a daring mission against the Nazis using entirely unconventional and utterly "ungentlemanly" fighting techniques. Ultimately their audacious approach changed the course of the war and laid the foundation for the British SAS and modern Black Ops warfare.

My Thoughts
I generally like Guy Ritchie films and in this case he both directed and co-wrote the story. The film is very loosely based on the true story of the British Army’s Small Scale Raiding Forse (SSRF), which was founded by the real Major Guys march-Phillips (portrayed by Henry Cavill). The operation depicted in the film, Postmaster, was their first of many during WWII although the films retelling of the mission the Damien Lewis book of the same title is heavily fictionalized.

Ritchie’s film always have a certain dramatic flair and arty component to them, and that’s the case here. Unfortunately, this style doesn’t necessarily fit the subject matter. For most of the film I felt like I was watching something more akin to Inglorious Basterds than Saving Private Ryan. Personally, I feel the subject matter could have been portrayed more seriously for greater dramatic effect versus the video game aspect of what I witnessed. Our heroes never feel like they are in danger despite the seemingly insurmountable odds they face. Fortunately, the Nazi’s shoot like a bunch of Stormtroopers while the heroes hit every target they barely aim at.

While the overall film falls into the middling category, the presentation is top shelf. Principal photography was captured on 8K digital cameras and finished with a 4K DI and this is readily apparent from the first scene. Detail is off the charts and the HDR color grading is about as good as it gets. Close-ups are teeming with detail and you can see every intricate detail of the actors, which is especially pleasing when Eiza Gonzalez is gracing the scene. Just wait until you see her in her green dress and I’ll never hear “Mack the Knife” and not think of her at the same time ever again.

The Atmos track doesn’t quite match the video presentation, but it certainly has its moments. Discrete effects move throughout the room and make decent use of the overhead speakers and the action scenes are definitely demo-worthy. And yes, the LFE channel gets quite a robust workout with plenty of gunfire and room-shaking explosions.

Video 10/10
Audio 9.5/10 (Dolby Atmos)

Special Features:
  • The Ministry of Filmmaking Featurette
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • UHD + Blu-ray + Digital Copy



Conclusion
I don’t consider this one of Ritchie’s better films due to him missing the mark on telling a serious story about one of the more compelling missions in WWII. Maybe my expectations were off when sitting down to watch it and I’ll enjoy it better the second time through at some point in the future. If one treats the film as a work of fiction versus something based on a true story, maybe they’ll enjoy it more since there’s certainly a lot more fiction versus fact. Thankfully, the presentation is off the charts which makes it very easy to recommend for action junkies.


Reference Review System:
 
JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
 Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
 ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
 Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
 System Controller: URC MX-990
 M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
 M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
 Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner
Blu-ray Reviewer / Technical Writer
Sound & Vision Magazine

AVSCraig

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Re: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Wafare (UHD Blu-ray) Review
« Reply #1 on: June 23, 2024, 12:47:33 PM »
This is certainly on my list to pick up as soon as the price drops. Ritchie just made a somewhat serious war movie in The Covenant, so maybe he wanted this film to be a little more fun? Who knows. I'll chime back in after I've seen it.
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Re: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Wafare (UHD Blu-ray) Review
« Reply #2 on: June 25, 2024, 09:26:43 AM »
I felt much the same, David. I was really looking forward to this one and saw it in the theater. It was entertaining but felt like Guy Ritchie's superhero movie. The breezy near invulnerability of the protagonist crew really blunted the tension.

I hadn't read about the real op beforehand but did so afterwards and this feels like a big missed opportunity to make a better movie about an actual and important event from WWII.

Re: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Wafare (UHD Blu-ray) Review
« Reply #3 on: June 25, 2024, 02:41:12 PM »
I felt much the same, David. I was really looking forward to this one and saw it in the theater. It was entertaining but felt like Guy Ritchie's superhero movie. The breezy near invulnerability of the protagonist crew really blunted the tension.

I hadn't read about the real op beforehand but did so afterwards and this feels like a big missed opportunity to make a better movie about an actual and important event from WWII.
Couldn't agree more. If they avoided the words "Based on a true story" at the beginning, I would have probably enjoyed it a lot more. 
Blu-ray Reviewer / Technical Writer
Sound & Vision Magazine

Re: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Wafare (UHD Blu-ray) Review
« Reply #4 on: June 25, 2024, 09:24:15 PM »
I've got this on our library rental list.  I guess it's time to drop down the expectation level; thought it would be one of the better movies of the year. :-\
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Re: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Wafare (UHD Blu-ray) Review
« Reply #5 on: June 25, 2024, 09:54:02 PM »
I've got this on our library rental list.  I guess it's time to drop down the expectation level; thought it would be one of the better movies of the year. :-\
Scott,

I'm curious to see what you think of it with lower expectations. Definitely report back!


David
Blu-ray Reviewer / Technical Writer
Sound & Vision Magazine

AVSMike

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Re: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Wafare (UHD Blu-ray) Review
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2024, 09:22:31 PM »
Watched this with my son a couple weeks ago. Liked it.
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bmoney

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Re: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Wafare (UHD Blu-ray) Review
« Reply #7 on: July 12, 2024, 08:26:05 AM »
Finally got the server and theater rebuilt and running!  Watched Thai last night

Loved it! Not a guy Ritchie movie I don’t enjoy. 

Atmos was outstanding when they are on the fishing boat. Woah sounded like my whole room was creaking lol. 

Thanks for the review!
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Re: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Wafare (UHD Blu-ray) Review
« Reply #8 on: July 12, 2024, 10:56:48 AM »
Finally got the server and theater rebuilt and running!  Watched Thai last night

Loved it! Not a guy Ritchie movie I don’t enjoy.

Atmos was outstanding when they are on the fishing boat. Woah sounded like my whole room was creaking lol.

Thanks for the review!
Walmart lost my copy in transit, but then Amazon dropped the price, so I might finally get my 4K Blu-ray next week.
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bmoney

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Re: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Wafare (UHD Blu-ray) Review
« Reply #9 on: July 12, 2024, 06:09:10 PM »
Walmart lost my copy in transit, but then Amazon dropped the price, so I might finally get my 4K Blu-ray next week.
Nice. I enjoyed it 
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Re: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Wafare (UHD Blu-ray) Review
« Reply #10 on: July 12, 2024, 06:15:31 PM »
Nice. I enjoyed it
We just watched " Guy Ritchie's The Covenant " and my wife absolutely loved it, as did my guests. Been enjoying his films since " The Gentleman ".
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Re: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Wafare (UHD Blu-ray) Review
« Reply #11 on: July 12, 2024, 06:29:09 PM »
We just watched " Guy Ritchie's The Covenant " and my wife absolutely loved it, as did my guests. Been enjoying his films since " The Gentleman ".
Wait what? That's from 2019. Have you seen any of his older work like Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, or Snatch? Those are SO MUCH FUN.

The Covenant was very very good, so we agree on that one!

AVSCraig

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Re: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Wafare (UHD Blu-ray) Review
« Reply #12 on: July 12, 2024, 08:29:26 PM »
Wait what? That's from 2019. Have you seen any of his older work like Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, or Snatch? Those are SO MUCH FUN.

The Covenant was very very good, so we agree on that one!
Guy Ritchie's the Covenant / Release date Apr 21, 2023,  Not 2019! 

I'd seen it once but my wife and friends hadn't. I didn't much care for Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, but I do like Snatch and finally bought it on 4K Blu-ray. 
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Re: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Wafare (UHD Blu-ray) Review
« Reply #13 on: July 13, 2024, 12:19:08 AM »
Sorry, didn't reply to that clearly. You said you'd been watching Ritchie's movies since "The Gentlemen", which is from 2019. I was just a bit surprised at putting at that since there's 20 years of prior history.
« Last Edit: July 13, 2024, 12:24:36 AM by Paul Heroy »

bmoney

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Re: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Wafare (UHD Blu-ray) Review
« Reply #14 on: July 13, 2024, 05:35:59 PM »
I haven’t seen lock stock. I’ll have to pick it up!
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