Is The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare based on a true story?

As a film enthusiast with a deep appreciation for both historical and action cinema, I was intrigued when I heard about Guy Ritchie’s latest offering, “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” now streaming on Prime Video. With his signature stylized violence and eclectic cast, I was eager to see how he would tackle the backdrop of World War II for the first time.


Guy Ritchie’s action films are known for their distinctive style rather than realism. The director often prefers to showcase exaggerated violence instead of sticking to a more serious narrative, whether it’s through iconic characters like Sherlock Holmes or modern-day gangsters in movies such as Snatch and The Gentlemen.

In a fresh departure for Ritchie, his newest production titled “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” is now available on Prime Video. This marks his first foray into filmmaking during the second world war era.

At the peak of the battle against Nazi Germany, Henry Cavill, Alan Ritchson, and Eiza González are cast as an unconventional team of agents assembled by the British government for a clandestine operation named Operation Postmaster.

Though this movie maintains all the characteristic flair of a Richardson production, you may ponder whether it’s adapted from a true account. Keep reading to uncover the details.

Is The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare based on a true story?

1. The Operation Postmaster portrayed in the film is indeed based on real events, albeit it may have been dramatized for cinematic purposes. The characters like Gus March-Phillipps (Henry Cavill), Anders Lassen (Alan Ritchson), Geoffrey Appleyard (Alex Pettyfer), and Brigadier Gubbins (Cary Elwes) were all genuine historical figures.

1) The movie draws inspiration from Churchill’s Secret Warriors: The Thrilling True Account of World War II’s Unofficial Special Forces, which recounts several authentic tales about an elite group of undercover agents, likened to rogue pirates, who secretly carried out numerous missions against the Germans.

1. The operation codenamed “Operation Postmaster” was declassified not too long ago, and its main outline closely resembles the depiction in the movie. This mission involved a diverse, unconventional team of agents tasked with eliminating ships providing supplies to U-boats in Germany.

In the movie adaptation, the mission’s details vary from actual events. For instance, contrary to the film, the real-life group was not assigned to sink and destroy the ships. Instead, their objective was to seize them and sail them beyond Nazi territory – later alleging they found them in international waters.

In reality, the mission was surprisingly peaceful and devoid of explosions. The team effectively drew the attention of Nazi forces by organizing two parties as a distraction, which allowed them to make off with the ships with minimal opposition.

After completing this task, they set sail for Lagos, Nigeria. Once they arrived, British naval forces retrieved the vessels from there.

Simultaneously, certain aspects about specific characters are adjusted to enhance the overall cinematic feel. For instance, while Marjorie Stewart, portrayed by González, was indeed a real spy, her role in this particular mission was fictionalized. There’s scant evidence to support that she ever worked as a field agent.

Well, as a devoted cinephile, I’d advise you to savor the scenes from this movie with a touch of skepticism – it’s a dramatized adaptation of a true event, not an overly realistic portrayal of the actual mission.

What is the James Bond connection in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare?

One aspect of the film that is based on reality is that there is a James Bond connection.

1. Ian Fleming, portrayed by Freddie Fox in the movie, actually had connections with the British government. As mentioned by Cavill, Fleming drew inspiration from his character Gus March-Phillipps, among others, to create his renowned spy character.

During an interview on The Rich Eisen Show, he expressed his belief that Ian Fleming had numerous stories and characters in mind while creating James Bond. However, as he explained, Gus March-Phillipps was one of the most significant influencers according to available information.

Based on my experience working as a spy, I can tell you that having a code number was an essential part of our operations. Each agent, including Gus with his code W01, was assigned a unique identifier to maintain secrecy and ensure efficient communication within our network. These codes allowed us to refer to each other without revealing our real names, making our missions deniable and less traceable. It was a crucial aspect of the espionage world that I had the privilege to be a part of.

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is now streaming on Prime Video.

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2024-07-30 16:35