The Falklands Play

Watch The Falklands Play

  • 2002
  • 1 Season

The Falklands Play is a television movie that was first aired in 2002. It was produced by BBC Television and is based on the events that led up to the Falklands War in 1982. The movie was directed by Michael Samuels and written by Ian Curteis. The Falklands War was a conflict between Argentina and the United Kingdom in April 1982 over the disputed Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands. The war lasted for 74 days and resulted in the victory of British forces, but not without incredible sacrifice.

The Falklands Play is a dramatization of the political and military events leading up to the war. It follows the story of two Prime Ministers, Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom, and Leopoldo Galtieri of Argentina. The movie uses real archival footage, news clips, and interviews with key figures of the time to create drama, suspense and an overall realistic portrayal of the events that took place.

The portrayal of Thatcher in this movie is exceptional, and she is played by Patricia Hodge. Hodge captures Thatcher's steely determination, her deep love for her country, and the unwavering leadership qualities that came to define Thatcher's career as a politician.

The movie does not shy away from showing Thatcher's battles with her own cabinet members, in particular, the Foreign Secretary at the time, Francis Pym. The movie portrays Thatcher's decision to go to war as being polarizing – with some in her government not agreeing – and highlights the tough decisions that leaders have to make.

On the other side of the conflict is Leopoldo Galtieri, played by Alex Ferns. Galtieri is shown as being a military dictator who is determined to assert his country's claim to the Falkland Islands. He is a character that is portrayed with all the complexity and humanity that is often lacking in villains.

The movie runs for almost two hours and is divided into three parts. The first part sets up the story and introduces the key players, while the second part focuses on the events that led up to the conflict. The final part brings us up to the end of the war and its aftermath.

One of the strengths of The Falklands Play is the attention to detail – both in the script and the production. The movie does a fantastic job of recreating the atmosphere and setting of the time, and the use of real footage adds authenticity to the storytelling.

The Falklands Play is a must-watch for anyone who has an interest in politics, history, and warfare. The movie takes us behind the scenes of one of the most significant conflicts of the twentieth century and gives us insight into the decisions and motivations that shaped the outcome.

The movie is a masterful portrayal of human conflict and the extraordinary measures that people can undertake to protect what they hold dear. It is a nuanced, well-crafted drama that is both educational and entertaining – and is an excellent example of British television at its best.

Overall, The Falklands Play is a must-watch for anyone interested in history, politics, or drama. The movie is a reminder of the human cost of war and the sacrifices made by countless people to ensure their way of life. It is an emotional and powerful tribute to the people who fought in the Falklands War and a reminder that although conflict is costly and divisive, it is sometimes necessary to preserve the freedoms that we take for granted.

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The Falklands Play
1. The Falklands Play
April 10, 2002
Patricia Hodge, James Fox, and John Standing star in this gripping docudrama about Margaret Thatcher and the British government's actions leading up to and during the conflict over the Falkland Islands in 1982.
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  • Premiere Date
    April 10, 2002