Film: The Choral

This is a touching film set against the backdrop of World War I call-ups. When the choirmaster enlists in the war effort, Dr. Henry Guthrie (played by Ralph Fiennes) is recruited to lead a Yorkshire choir. With the able-bodied men called to serve, the choir is filled with older members, those unfit for battle, and a few women.

Dr. Guthrie, an experienced pianist who has lived in Germany, wishes to perform a Bach piece, but his request is denied, partly due to a brick thrown through the window by objectors. During rehearsals for a special performance of Elgar’s music, Mary, the new lead female singer and a Salvation Army nurse, informs a visiting Elgar about the performance with mixed results.

As Dr. Guthrie regularly checks the news for war updates, we learn he is mourning someone in the German army dear to him.

A sweet, uplifting film set against the grim backdrop of doors knocking with bad news for waiting mothers, wives, and sisters, showing how music and community can transcend the darkness of war.

7½/10