Review of “Choral”: Alan Bennett’s Heartbreaking War Elegy
Posted in Sydney 07 November 2025
Critical Review by John Synnott
“Choral”: Alan Bennett’s Heartbreaking War Elegy has delivered another masterwork, a worthy addition to a filmography that includes “The History Boys,” “The Lady in the Van,” and “The Madness of King George.”
“Choral” stands as a magnificent tragicomedy set against the backdrop of the First World War, weaving together threads of theology, music, and human frailty with Bennett’s characteristic wit and compassion.
Elgar’s “The Dream of Gerontius” provides the film’s spiritual and structural backbone—a soul’s journey through death and judgment that mirrors the characters’ own moral reckonings. The oratorio’s themes of faith, doubt, and redemption suffuse every frame, while Bach’s St. Matthew Passion offers counterpoint, culminating in a stunning choral performance that transforms the narrative into something approaching the sublime.
The film explores Anglican-Catholic sectarianism with surprising depth, staging theological debates worthy of “The History Boys”‘ classroom intensity.
Bennett even sketches an amusing portrait of Elgar himself as an insufferable snob—a character study recalling the eccentrics of “The Lady in the Van.” Ralph Fiennes leads an exceptional ensemble through Bennett’s incisive examination of wartime England.
The script deftly addresses anti-German racism and jingoistic fervor while maintaining its anti-war stance—material that proves heartbreaking in execution.
Bennett depicts sexuality frankly, portraying artistic gay characters facing societal contempt with the unflinching honesty that has become his signature.
Class tensions simmer throughout, particularly contrasting mill owners with workers, while impeccable locations ground the period detail in tangible reality.
What elevates “Choral” is Bennett’s ability to balance tragedy with comedy, never allowing either to overwhelm. The result feels both epic in scope and intimately human—precisely the intelligent, emotionally resonant cinema that justifies the British Film Festival at Palace Cinemas, where it serves as a sterling lead attraction.
Check the British Film Festival Programme here :
-British Film Festival/Palace Cinema
