War Book

– In a contemporary Commons briefing room, a government minister and several aids enact the ‘war boo..

Type:
Movie
Rating:
6.80 / 10
Duration:
One Hour and 32 Minutes
Release Year:
2014
War Book (2014)

In a contemporary Commons briefing room, a government minister and several aids enact the ‘war book’ exercise: a protocol written in the 1950s which is periodically played out to test post-nuclear scenarios. Low-budget but high-concept, War Book is a terse drama of interpersonal politics with rat-a-tat-tat dialogue and sharp performances. (12 Angry Men, Sleuth and The Deal all feel like reference points.) Created by some of the UK’s most promising talents in down time between other projects, director/producer Tom Harper (Scouting Book for Boys, Woman in Black 2), screenwriter Jack Thorne (Skins, Scouting Book) and producer Lauren Dark bring together a top notch cast (including Sophie Okonedo, Ben Chaplin and Kerry Fox). Cold war anxiety is given contemporary relevance in this exploration of government arrogance and lack of accountability, and the terrifying fragility of world order when faced with the abyss of mutual destruction.

Story Timeline:
Producing Country:
UK
Filming Locations:
Genre:

War Book (2014) - Trailer

Release Date:

07 Aug 2015

Language:

English

Director:

Tom Harper

Writer:

Jack Thorne

Main Actors:

Sophie Okonedo, Phoebe Fox, Ben Chaplin, Adeel Akhtar

Plot:

Eight UK government officials act out their potential response and decisions in a simulated war game scenario in which escalation of nuclear threat between India and Pakistan leads to nuclear war and quite likely the end of the world.

Awards:

1 nomination.

Ratings:
Internet Movie Database:
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes:
71%