“England’s fathers coming to the rescue of England’s sons”. For some reason, the music of that scene coupled with the destroyer blaring out 3 cheers from her horn brings a tear to my eye. Not sure that we will ever have a time where people possess this type of character again.
You only say that because we've lived through decades of good times. People are soft, selfish, and look for small things to offend them. Now that they've brought on the hard times, we'll soon see men of character again. A lot of them will be KIA, but we'll soon see men of character again.
During the 9/11 attack in NYC, many people who owned boats in both New York and New Jersey sailed over to evacuate people. It looked very similar to what happened at Dunkirk. Despite how different we may be today from 80 years ago, we are still human and we will always come together in times of crisis
we did. the doctors and nurses during Covid. all our troops fighting in Afghanistan e Falklands. I was a Police officer. retired now. loads of character in our young, dont you worry about that.
@@mariahoulihan9483 Not amongst the women getting snippy about English's use of the plural masculine to refer to both genders. I'm sorry language isn't "inclusive" enough for you. Might I suggest you pick a different one and stop bothering those of us who couldn't care less about your feelings?
Tarantino saw this in a British cinema and found the audience crying at this scene incredibly moving. That second viewing was a whole different experience for him from his first US screening.
@@toddkes5890 my grandad was there. Royal Scots Fusiliers. my mum still has the medal on her wall. update: actually found out recently that not only was he there but he was also a member of the garrision at Le Paradis. the garrison told to stand and fight in the face of the german advance. they held for three days, buying enough time for operation dynamo to come into effect. if i could even be half the man he was i would be more than content
There is something incredibly moving and wonderful about the quiet, silent bravery and courage that the most common of people have, in that they will step up to help in a time of need. They aren't soldiers, sailors, or trained emergency responders, but they step forward selflessly anyway, because they know it's the right thing to do, and they want to help.
My late grandad was one of those boys rescued from Dunkirk. This scene always brings a lump in my throat and a tear to my eye when I see this. For all those heroes, British, French, and Belgian, who participated in the evacuation, from a later generation, thank you. RIP Grandad, always in my thoughts
I hear you. My grandfather was liberated from Bergen Belsen concentration camp, he was a POW there. I didn’t know him. I feel a deep gratitude for the liberating troops and feel emotional if I hear references to it. I wouldn’t be here.
What's really cool is that many of those civilian boats had been a part of the actual Dunkirk evacuation. If those boats could talk, reliving their finest moment.
They're also the only vessels permitted to fly a certain version of the St George's cross flag, indicating they took part in the the evacuation process.
I went on a boat tour around the Docks in Portsmouth a few years ago, after a few minutes i noticed a plaque on the cabin door of this little boat, it said this tiny boat had taken part in the Dunkirk evacuations, this little boat had about twenty people onboard and it was crowded, and yet it went over to help out, i was stunned, and then i cried.
@@scrubsrc4084 That's easy to say when you live at peace 80 years after the facts. 100K French soldiers died in 1940 trying to fight the Germans, that's 1/3 of the American casualties throughout all the War, just for a month of fighting. Please don't make strategies from the bottom of your couch, war is not only mere attack, defensive strategies are known since the Greek and Romans, & don't forget that they knew in 1940 what blind attacks meant, and it reminded them of Verdun and all the butcheries of WW1. You also don't know what would have happened if the French army had fought until the end (and here "end" is synonym of "death"). It's also probable that the entire army would have been destroyed, the whole country invaded, possibly no back up for the English flight across the Channel, and it would have changed all the events of 44-45. Many more people would have died for probably the same results.
I can not imagine what those soldiers felt when they saw those boats approach. I mean; those were ordinary people coming to their rescue. Their fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters and sons and daughters sailing into hell to rescue them. And then those men on the ships, many of them veterans of the first war, knowing full well what horrors lay ahead of them. And yet, they sailed willingly into hell. It goes to prove: in the darkest of times you may find the worst of men but you may also find the best of men.
That is why those men and all those people you listen to me did what they did. Those were their sons their brothers their husbands their nephews and they knew they HAD to do it.
The character of Mr. Dawson, played by Mark Rylance, was based on real-life Charles Lightoller, former second officer on the Titanic. He crossed the channel with his son and a young sea scout. In a boat licensed to carry 21 souls, he brought home 127 men.
thanks for the information, it gives a powerful new light to the story. Imagine how they must have been terrified all the civilians.... this is the same Sea that sunk the Imperial Spanish Fleet on its way to invade England...(the biggest fleet ever assembled until WW2 Day)
to be fair this scene is kinda bs since almost all the boats were commissioned and piloted by the navy there were hardly any civilians involved in this operation
@@logana1999 What the F**K are you talking about - that was the entire British Army. Saving them was vital to the survival of Britain and to taking the war back to Germany in the future. The navy was going to be occupied keeping food supplies coming in, the air force to keeping the enemy air force and bombers at bay. If the British army had been lost then pressure in parliament and abroad means we would have had to surrender. The miracle of Dunkirk mean't we stayed in the war - we also rescued over a hundred thousand French soldiers as well
@@logana1999 yeah, it is patriotic to be cornered and let the Germans slaughter or capture the only hope for Europe at the time. You are an idiot and thankfully not a military strategist.
The feeling of pride those soldiers must have felt when they saw their own citizens come to rescue them must have been overwhelming. The fact this is true and really happen is incredible.
Most of the Little Ships were actually crewed by Royal Navy sailors during Operation Dynamo. Some, such as fishing vessels, were crewed by their owners, but most were not.
@@brycepatties this was one part of the film where I wish it would have been more accurate. Almost all of the vessels were crewed by Royal Navy sailors or Royal Fleet Auxiliary sailors. Even the fishing boats that participated the crews were immediately sworn in as RFA sailors.
Because it was. The man who planned the Dunkirk evacuation back in Dover Castle was an Royal Navy by the name of Bertram Ramsey.... Ironically he had retired a couple years earlier but Churchill called him back and installed him at that headquarters. He and his staff ran that evacuation I believe for 9 days and 9 nights without with very little rest or sleep. If I remember the story correctly after they completed everything and got everyone back he went to report to the prime Minister and the King. King George VI himself said to Admiral Ramsey that he had delivered a miracle to England. Sadly Admiral Ramsey did not live to see the end of the war he died in a plane crash about 8 months before the end just after D-Day.
I was impressed at the fact Christopher Nolan used very little dialogue. With the superb actors, there was no need for lots of dialogue. Kenneth Brannagh was superb
You can see tears in his eyes, i don't believe they were there because he was acting, i think his emotions kicked in, as they would for many of us Britons. And for many of us it wasn't just Mr Brannagh saying, "Home". Up until then you could hear a few notes from Nimrod, It was when he said Home it became unmistakable. Nimrod. That is when i lost it in the cinema, i admit, i cried.
The soundtrack transition at 0:50 is one of the most glorious and touching in cinematic history. From complete despair, terror and utter hopelessness to relief , peace and calm, sheer optimism and hope.
@@dwisetyogustiarilaksono1160 It's Elgar, not Hans Zimmer. Go listen to the actual piece by Edward Elgar and you'll hear how incredible the actual piece really is. (Nimrod - Enigma Variations)!
I am an Indian.... Our history teacher took us to watch this movie in cinemas to teach us about the Dunkirk evacuation...... Our entire batch was teary eyed after watching this.... Humanity is the greatest gift we are given
If it weren’t for the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers I wouldn’t live a free life thank you. You fought for freedom as well as us despite the fact we occupied your country. We owe India a huge debt
@@sapm9368 though our forefathers hated british rule. They admired Britan and it's culture a lot. Our freedom fighters Gandhi, Nehru and Ambedkar are huge anglophiles.
The smallest boat to make the journey was a father and his teenage son who roads across the channel in a row boat Then the soldiers they picked up rowed then back because they were so exhausted
The smallest recorded of the "Little Ships" was the fishing boat *Tamzine* at fourteen feet, seven and a half inches; she looks like a stereotypical rowboat, but did in fact have a sail. She is preserved in the Imperial War Museum at Duxford to this day.
Folks, whatever the size of the little ship - it was an awesome moment, one we can all admire and the Brits can be proud to have done. I knew the history, but seeing this brought me to tears. This was real.
@@lunabobles4526 it is true there was an evacuation of 26,000 men a day (1/3 of them French) from the port of Dunkirk, but this film is almost entirely fictional.
@@lunabobles4526 150 German bombers bombed the beach every 20 minutes from drawn to dusk weather permitting every day.. where was that? Over 5,000 ships were fighting a naval battle, including anti submarine warfare from aircraft. The complete town of Dunkirk was on fire with only the town hall still standing.. Do you see where I'm going with this?? The film called Dunkirk has the dates and the name of the post correct almost everything else is fictional.
@@lunabobles4526 no French soldiers were dressing up as British to escape, 1/3 of the men taken off the beach were French so the story of the French guy.. fictional. Germans snipping soldiers.. fictional, the Germans never got close enough to have direct fire onto the beach, so that little story was fictional.. Spitfire landing on a clean beach, No wire or anti landing craft obstacles.. What part of the west coast of fortress Europe was that little bit of fiction supposed to have happened?
@@julieenslow5915 Yes and almost certainly that's genuine, the ladies of Britain at the time were a hard breed, many had lost brothers, fathers, or husbands just 20 years before and the great depression had hit Britain as hard as anywhere. The line I used however is a quote, from a biography on Churchill call "The Last Lion" that I read a long time ago
My Grandfather, on my mother's side, was in Coastal Command, stationed at Hastings in 1940. He went across 8 times during Operation Dynamo. He was straffed and shelled on at least 5 occasions yet came home with many men. I never had the privilege of meeting him as he died of cancer in 1955. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
The composition just amazes me: Zimmer used a British classic: Elgar: Nimrod, and modernised it but kept that beautiful and sombre melody to create this tear-jerking scene. That guy doesn't get enough credit for his references and nuance
I quite agree even though I was a little underwhelmed by the film in general, an opportunity missed to tell this story. The soundtrack held the film together for me.
The movie was "dislocated" and jerked from place to place. Until this scene. When Zimmer used Elgar...with the chords stretched out, he captured the moment. The use of Nimrod was perfect. Most people who watched the movie probably never heard that magnificent music. It belongs there. Elgar would have approved. Sanjosemike (no longer in CA)
????? You want to give him credit for a transposition of a masterpiece of classical music??!! I'll grant you it works well in the scene - but for the same reason it has always worked - merely fiddling about with the tempo or key of such a thing is no great achievement, that goes to Elgar. Not to mention the "reference" you speak of is done on every Remembrance Day in Britain - so he hardly takes credit for pulling those particular heart strings when such a precedent has been well laid down for many years now. That's not to say that the rest of the soundtrack is not well done, but you are really stretching hero worship beyond the pale to credit him with something he clearly did not write.
The fact that they used some of the actual little ships that are still surviving to this day makes this scene that much more powerful, in terms of a movie scene its like the actors are saluting the ships themselves for what they did all those years ago.
I love how this scene was done, with the ominous music turning into hopeful. The salute by the destroyer's general quarters siren is a nice touch as well.
The transition from the depths of despair to the greatest ray of hope...a flawless transition. No wonder why this scene was the signature scene of the movie.
Years ago I went to Dover castle and you can visit the war rooms where Admiral Ramsay coordinated the efforts to save the men at Dunkirk. In one of the rooms there is a table above which hung lots of phone receivers. A crew of ladies worked night and day there taking information and updating the map that lay on the table, which disappeared after the war. English Heritage managed to get their hands on the original table that was used during the evacuation. A group of old ladies visited Dover castle and told our guide that they used to work at that very table.
Looking back, it seems incredible that this war happened without computers. Yes, there were clunky lever and pulley adding machines and more sophisticated versions based on the same lever and pulley design ... but no digital computers. I was born in 1952. WW II was still "THE WAR". It might, just barely, have been fought with the same soldiers of the Normandy Invasion by William the Conqueror. Updating weapons, and train, no substantial difference. No more.
My family emigrated from England in 1964 when I was 7. I have considered myself to be an Aussie but, after watching "Dunkirk" and this scene in particular, I am proud of my English heritage. Little people being great heroes. We may never see their like again.
This makes me cry with so much emotion. Mr grandfather was at Dunkirk as part of the expeditionary force, he survived and then fought in Burma for 4 years, including the Battle of Kohima. When he came home eventually in 1945 - he weighed 6 stone and was riddled with malaria, he lived to the age of 89 and I am very proud of him.
Bloody onions ... How Zimmer's variation on Nimrod just drifts into your consciousness as the small boats become larger just gets me every time. My late Father in Law was shot and badly injured at Dunkirk, was rescued by these insanely brave people and never forgot it. He went back on D Day +1 and went all the way to Hamburg repaying old scores for lost mates. Lovely Yorkshire gent, scarred by war but full of stories, daft humour and sadly died too young. Loved him to bits. Without Dunkirk I would never have had a huge part of my life ...
When some of those he rescued found his claim to fame there was an amount of negative muttering. THe majority reply being .- "Well you're always welcome to swim back to Blighty!"
How in the hell, going through this, then going through the air raids, and after all that, how in the world did England not sink into the ocean with the size of balls the people had there?
@@thesedreamsarefree well considering that the british soldiers shoot at the french one because they needed to win some time, I don t thinks this is disrespecting, just someone who is pissed off that this part has been forgoten
No, it's misleading and very confusing: It switches from day to night and back without rhyme or reason and one character appears to be in two places at once. Plus apparently the RAF consisted of two spitfires.
Try the scene of the mother in Saving Private Ryan. I was in the service and we were watching that and I can tell you right now I saw men that served in Iraq and Afghanistan weep at that scene.
@@navblue20 I made it though that whole movie stone faced, but then at the very end when Matt Damon says "tell me i'm a good man" i became a blubbering mess
My great uncle Griffith Pierce Owen joined the army in 1937 to get away from the poverty of slate mining, he served at Dunkerque and north Africa, he was MIA for months, he was a kind warm and very funny man full of fun, our family and village knew what he had been through and loved him deeply. Thank you lads.
When you look back on history, you cannot help but be amazed at the dedication and honor of the British people. While the United States certainly deserves credit, more important is to remember how the British stood alone against Germany and won the Battle of Britain - their stand gave the Allies hope to win the war, the invasion would have been inexorably more difficult if the UK were in German hands. Its also important to call out the Soviet Union. Many historians have said that, had Hitler not attacked the Soviet Union and thus opened the Eastern Front any invasion into Europe would have been repulsed.
If Britain had fallen America could not have invaded mainland Europe. They would also not have been able to adequately supply the USSR with vital war material. The two acts that lost Germany the war were failing capitalise in May 1940 and the USSR winning the battle of khalkhin gol.
Most historians agree than the US would have won the war with Germany even without the Russians, but it would have taken a lot more years and a lot more soldiers would have died. The US was just an industry juggernault. They would have probably used atomic bombs in Europe too. Now. If Russia stayed neutral in WW2, would the americans won the Cold War? The Russians lost a lot of men power during WW2, Moscow was burned down, etc. History would have been VERY different lol
As an American this touch my heart deeply that civilians on small boats had gone into a blazing hell to get their men back theyre true heros if i was in that situation i would've done the same thing i wouldn't have waited my kid needs and many needed to be rescued.
I am not even a British,But I am amazed so many non Britishers feeling moved by this moment and writing in comment sections so strongly for it .In this quarantine have watched this scene like 15 odd times,honestly it makes eyes teary every time.A real gem of the scene captured here.Also felt surprised to know about the connection between titanic survivor and dinkirk rescuer in this corona phase while staying at home. Truly a master price presented in this scene.
@Heather Stephens mixed bag of history we have...but a horrible last 1000 years...any case ,,how are things at your end in these times?things pretty bad in my nation due to coronavirus
*"You have no idea what Dunkirk is, right? You're a stranger to history. You're a stranger to war. You just wave your hand and it all goes away. Well, it's not so easy for those who died and it was not so easy for those who were left behind."* _Admiral Jean Luc Picard_ _(retired)_
1:50 When Commander Bolton teared up knowing his mission was hopeless until his countryman came to the rescue really got to me. What an amazing moment to watch.
The best scene in the entire movie as well as the best line. I sat in the theater with tears streaming down my face. Nimrod is one of my favorite pieces of music. I don't understand anyone who knows an inkling of what went on that day who isn't moved by that scene.
It's so lovely seeing this parade of restored ships, many of them real Little Ships, with their crews. I have friends who had a ship in this fleet for the movie. Many Dutch entries as well. Just wonderful to watch
As a Canadian, I have always felt pride in the the history of my British "cousins". Dignity in defeat. This too was one of those "the few for the many" times! I WILL REMEMBER THEM 🌺🇬🇧🇨🇦🌺
David Carr The people of the United Kingdom will never forget the contribution of the Canadian Armed Forces, and civilians that helped us out in those terrible times, Canada is a true friend.
The idea of civilians showing up to rescue soldiers, with the beautiful score in the background, for me is one of the most beautiful moments In cinematography history. And it gives me goosebumps everytime I watch it. Well done Christopher Nolan, well done!
The truth is that most of the civilian boats used to transport more than 350,000 British, French, Dutch, Belgians as well as other nationalities soldiers to England are crewed by the Royal Navy servicemen and experienced volunteers after the boats are requisitioned by the British government. Some boats are crewed by their owners.
One of the best and heart warming scene ever to be shown in the world of Movies. Awesome Background score, Acting, Expressions, Visual pleasure, Beautiful Cinematography and the most toughest part to bring this all together at the same time is Direction by none another than the master artist - Christopher Nolan! Hats off to him and his team. A thrilling, goosebumps and emotional experience all at same time. Emotions feel you up when the Commander says "Home".. A true Masterpiece!
As an American, I never tire of watching this movie. The portrayal of yeoman and grizzled old sea dogs crossing the channel is just inspiring beyond belief.
Love the hints of Elgar's "Enigma Variations (Nimrod)" in the background music. A quintessential British piece for one of the most quintessential British moments.
Love how the soldiers are waving and celebrating while the old brigade on the little boat fleet are standing stoic and resolute; unwavering in their commitment as they sail into the hell in front of them…
New Britannic (the wooden ship seen at 1:01) was one of twelve original "Little Ships" that took part in Operation Dynamo that were used in the filming. She was saved after Daily Mail readers donated enough money to get her sea worthy again.
This is something that I find extraordinary in the British character, when the country has faced total ruin and destruction by a foreign enemy the British people have found the courage to unite and fight as one, no matter what. Really moving.
0:29 The Commanders face expression, he looked clearly worried thinking that the small little dots were enemies. But to a shock when it was British Citizens answering the call.
Patay, Austerlitz, Verdun we do thank the French. But then the French act like they are completely responsible for the evacuation taking place ignoring the British rear guard,royal navy and RAF.
"Despite our overwhelming numerical and material superiority, French troops counter-attacked in several places. I can't understand how such brave soldiers, fighting in various places at one against ten (sometimes even one against thirty), still manage to find enough strength to go on the assault: it's simply amazing! I find among the French soldiers of Dunkirk the same ardour as that of the poilus of Verdun in 1916. For several days hundreds of bombers and guns have been pounding the French defences. However, it is still the same thing, our infantry and tanks cannot break through, despite some ephemeral local successes. The French command has very skilfully installed its troop and artillery. I fear that Dunkirk will be a failure for us: almost the entire British expeditionary force and most of the 1st French army will escape us, because a few thousand brave people are blocking our access to the sea. It's appalling, but that's the way it is." "Dunkirk proves to me that the French soldier is one of the best in the world. The French artillery, so feared in 14-18, once again demonstrated its dreaded effectiveness. Our losses are terrifying: many battalions have lost 60% of their strength, sometimes even more! “ "By resisting about ten days to our forces, which were significantly superior in terms of numbers and resources, the French army achieved a superb feat in Dunkirk that is to be commended. It certainly saved Britain from defeat, by allowing its professional army to reach the English coast." General Von Küchler commandant of the XVIII army during the last stand of the french army to cover the british at Dunkirk.
@@commando4481 the British promised to Engage 30,000 soldiers to defend the Dunkirk perimeter until all non-combatants are completely evacuated. The goal was to delay the Wehrmacht as long as possible to give the French as much time as possible to organize their defensive front line further south. The British will not honour their commitment. Only 2,500 to 6,000 soldiers will fight, and they will fight less and less until they definitively abandon their combat position on the night of May 30, 1940. The French found themselves alone with 30,000 against 130,000 Germans and had to hold a frontline that was planned for 60,000.
@@nightmare22c16 See I understand and respect that but the talk of greatest generation is just annoying and stupid, in my generation we haven't had a world war but we still face other things, My og comment was kinda stupid but still my point stands ig.
Texans aren't supposed to cry, so I'm breaking a few rules. Wonderful scene, feels my heart with joy to see civilians do something like this to save their boys.
I cruised down the Thames for a river party last year on a boat called Viscount. I saw below her bridge a small plaque saying "Dunkirk 1940". I asked one of the crew if Viscount was one of the little ships, and he confirmed it. So I have had the privilege of sailing on one of these heroic vessels.
They are all over 100 years old now for the most part.....DDay 80th anniversary this year....never forget..remember their sacrifice...celebrate their lives.
It's been a while and tears still flow. Here's to all the Little Ships who brought soldiers safe home and for those 236 Little Ships who were sunk (approximately 1 in 4 didn't make it back). "Nimrod" is the perfect music to accompany this scene.
A great film, my own father was at Dunkirk and this particular scene always makes me cry a bit in memory of my dad and the brave man and woman who want to rescue their sons and daughter off the beaches of Dunkirk.
My Great Great Grandfather went there on his boat to rescue people. He ran away from his home on the outer Hebrides when he was young to become a master mariner. He later sailed his boat into hell for all of us. He did his bit, even being from such an isolated Scottish island. So proud of my country. I have blood from every corner of these isles, and I couldn’t be prouder to call myself British
The fact of the story of the Dunkirk rescue is amazing. That many of the little civilian fishing boats used in the movie actually had been part of the real event is such a great homage to all of those involved that day. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The immense amount of pride I have for my country is only strengthened by this act of pure courage. Patriotism at its finest. The very definition of "never leave a man behind."
This scene makes me emotional every time. I'm not even British, but I can only imagine the sense of pride and hope those soldiers must have felt. This is a scene of humanity at its best at a moment when the worst is there. ❤
I teared up when this scene kicked in the cinema back in August 2017. Doesn’t matter what race or ethnicity you are, such a unity touches human feelings beyond borders
This scene never fails to make me cry, my great-grandfather was on one of those little ships, one of the last to leave Dunkirk, after being wounded in the fighting at St-Valery. My Grandmother was born 10 months later. God bless the soldiers of the 51st, the French and the Belgians who all sacrificed themselves to make it possible.
It's really sad when watching this film my great grandfathers name is on a memorial at Dunkirk he was only 31 when he died he got blown up the proudest thing is I have his medals makes me so proud of him
I have the diary my grandfather kept as an infantryman in Europe during the war. He came home for X-mas, left the diary, then went back to war. He didn't make it home again. It's one of my most prized possessions, and my young nephew, who just joined the US Marines will be the eventual inheritor.
I can't begin to imagine the incredible relief those brave men felt seeing those tugs, yachts, motorboats, and every other kind of ship coming to get them. Lord, what a bunch of in brave civilians they were!
Of 323,226 men recorded as being brought back to Britain as part of the evacuation, 6,029 came in small boats, around 190,000 in warships ( 102,843 in destroyers) and just over 100,000 in civilian ships. The little ships ferried troops from the beaches to the ships lying offshore. Those scenes in the movie, like much of the movie itself, were utterly inaccurate.
Kenneth Branagh did an amazing bit of acting...all with his face so realistically changing from total distress, to heightened attention towards something on the horizon, to being somewhat stunned, and then to pure joy. His face captured the momentous moment perfectly and was probably on the faces of every soldier who really was on that beach so many years ago.
My grandfather was pulled off the beaches at Dunkirk. Lost his favorite pipe when his backpack was dropped by accident into the Channel. Cannot watch this film without crying - such heroism and bravery across the board. Brilliant.
My grandfather was as well. I for one am extremely grateful for the civilians who willingly went unarmed into combat. I am also grateful to all of the soldiers (irrespective of nationality) who gave up their lives so that he had the chance to come home.
The Music is the most important metaphor here, The tension theme reflects the fear and pain where as the nimrod part reflects the the relief. Love the scene
Always chokes me up thinking about how the feeling of being abandoned and forgotten about must’ve melted away for those men when those boats came into view. Also the determination and bravery from all those ordinary citizens who stopped waiting for a solution that might not come and took action themselves. They couldn’t get home so home came for them… pretty moving moment
Interesting story, at the movie theatre i used to work at in Calgary Alberta, at the premiere of this movie, there was a Dunkirk veteran in attendance. He was one of the Navy men crewing the small boats. He gave a really interesting interview about the movie and his wartime experiences.
"When 400,000 men couldn't get home, home came for them." I loved that line in the trailers.
My favorite scene!! Watch it over and over.
Me too and the poster.
This scene is THE moment of the film. I sincerely wish Nolan would do a sequal about the Air Battle of Britain.
@@alnu8355 me too with tom hardy after escaping the germans in a short film released during the build up to the film .
Not on your own NeilPower!
“England’s fathers coming to the rescue of England’s sons”. For some reason, the music of that scene coupled with the destroyer blaring out 3 cheers from her horn brings a tear to my eye.
Not sure that we will ever have a time where people possess this type of character again.
You only say that because we've lived through decades of good times. People are soft, selfish, and look for small things to offend them.
Now that they've brought on the hard times, we'll soon see men of character again. A lot of them will be KIA, but we'll soon see men of character again.
During the 9/11 attack in NYC, many people who owned boats in both New York and New Jersey sailed over to evacuate people. It looked very similar to what happened at Dunkirk. Despite how different we may be today from 80 years ago, we are still human and we will always come together in times of crisis
we did. the doctors and nurses during Covid. all our troops fighting in Afghanistan e Falklands. I was a Police officer. retired now. loads of character in our young, dont you worry about that.
@@stevenschnepp576 no women of character then? I beg to differ.
@@mariahoulihan9483 Not amongst the women getting snippy about English's use of the plural masculine to refer to both genders.
I'm sorry language isn't "inclusive" enough for you. Might I suggest you pick a different one and stop bothering those of us who couldn't care less about your feelings?
Tarantino saw this in a British cinema and found the audience crying at this scene incredibly moving. That second viewing was a whole different experience for him from his first US screening.
I wonder how many in that audience could say that their grandparent took part?
@@toddkes5890 my grandad was there. Royal Scots Fusiliers. my mum still has the medal on her wall. update: actually found out recently that not only was he there but he was also a member of the garrision at Le Paradis. the garrison told to stand and fight in the face of the german advance. they held for three days, buying enough time for operation dynamo to come into effect. if i could even be half the man he was i would be more than content
There is something incredibly moving and wonderful about the quiet, silent bravery and courage that the most common of people have, in that they will step up to help in a time of need. They aren't soldiers, sailors, or trained emergency responders, but they step forward selflessly anyway, because they know it's the right thing to do, and they want to help.
I´m a German and it allways brings tears to my Eyes to see how brave those civillians were. Thank God that the Allies won the war!
@@thomasdietz6954 Now we may have to fight a new one...and this time America will be the enemy emerging. At least I hope not.
My late grandad was one of those boys rescued from Dunkirk. This scene always brings a lump in my throat and a tear to my eye when I see this. For all those heroes, British, French, and Belgian, who participated in the evacuation, from a later generation, thank you. RIP Grandad, always in my thoughts
Mine to mister
I hear you. My grandfather was liberated from Bergen Belsen concentration camp, he was a POW there. I didn’t know him. I feel a deep gratitude for the liberating troops and feel emotional if I hear references to it. I wouldn’t be here.
My great great grandfather survived as well, he helped the wounded get out, after he came back he didn’t speak much of it
Same mate 🇬🇧
Some of his surviving compatriots attended the premiere. They said it was louder than the real thing.
What's really cool is that many of those civilian boats had been a part of the actual Dunkirk evacuation. If those boats could talk, reliving their finest moment.
You can still take a boat ride on one of them, the Yorkshire Belle
I believe. that the New Britainic is also available for rides....
This movie was that chance for them 😭
They're also the only vessels permitted to fly a certain version of the St George's cross flag, indicating they took part in the the evacuation process.
I went on a boat tour around the Docks in Portsmouth a few years ago, after a few minutes i noticed a plaque on the cabin door of this little boat, it said this tiny boat had taken part in the Dunkirk evacuations, this little boat had about twenty people onboard and it was crowded, and yet it went over to help out, i was stunned, and then i cried.
Big thanks to all the French and Belgian soldiers who sacrified their lives, fighting like lions, to make this rescue possible.
Well said.
It wasn't just French and German.
The irony being that if large portions of France hadn't refused to fight or been awaiting the germans arrival it would never have got that bad
@@scrubsrc4084 That's easy to say when you live at peace 80 years after the facts. 100K French soldiers died in 1940 trying to fight the Germans, that's 1/3 of the American casualties throughout all the War, just for a month of fighting. Please don't make strategies from the bottom of your couch, war is not only mere attack, defensive strategies are known since the Greek and Romans, & don't forget that they knew in 1940 what blind attacks meant, and it reminded them of Verdun and all the butcheries of WW1.
You also don't know what would have happened if the French army had fought until the end (and here "end" is synonym of "death"). It's also probable that the entire army would have been destroyed, the whole country invaded, possibly no back up for the English flight across the Channel, and it would have changed all the events of 44-45. Many more people would have died for probably the same results.
@@d_y4998 having 30% more available troops would make a hell of a difference. I'm making statements from a few of education not my arm chair
I can not imagine what those soldiers felt when they saw those boats approach. I mean; those were ordinary people coming to their rescue. Their fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters and sons and daughters sailing into hell to rescue them.
And then those men on the ships, many of them veterans of the first war, knowing full well what horrors lay ahead of them. And yet, they sailed willingly into hell.
It goes to prove: in the darkest of times you may find the worst of men but you may also find the best of men.
it takes a special kind of courage for a civilian to sail towards danger and horror while everyone else is sailing away
Absolutely brilliant and true words, Kim.
Most of the little ships of Dunkirk were crewed by Royal Navy sailors, though some were piloted by civilians.
@@AnikaJarlsdottr if I were one of the soldiers, there is nothing that would boost my morale more than seeing literally what I'm fighting to protect
That is why those men and all those people you listen to me did what they did. Those were their sons their brothers their husbands their nephews and they knew they HAD to do it.
The character of Mr. Dawson, played by Mark Rylance, was based on real-life Charles Lightoller, former second officer on the Titanic. He crossed the channel with his son and a young sea scout. In a boat licensed to carry 21 souls, he brought home 127 men.
That story always makes me quite tearful, particularly as a sailor. What Lightoller did, I can think of no greater example of an act of atonement.
thanks for the information, it gives a powerful new light to the story. Imagine how they must have been terrified all the civilians.... this is the same Sea that sunk the Imperial Spanish Fleet on its way to invade England...(the biggest fleet ever assembled until WW2 Day)
“Let it never be said that I do not know how to fill a boat.”
@@Dan3million I believe he also did a little spying before war broke out.
@@anthonybanchero3072 Correct, he used the Sundowner for espionage operations
One of the greatest acts of patriotism of any country or any time in history
Also just the community, caring about the guys
to be fair this scene is kinda bs since almost all the boats were commissioned and piloted by the navy there were hardly any civilians involved in this operation
so patriotic they ran away from the germans and endangered all of England
@@logana1999 What the F**K are you talking about - that was the entire British Army. Saving them was vital to the survival of Britain and to taking the war back to Germany in the future. The navy was going to be occupied keeping food supplies coming in, the air force to keeping the enemy air force and bombers at bay. If the British army had been lost then pressure in parliament and abroad means we would have had to surrender. The miracle of Dunkirk mean't we stayed in the war - we also rescued over a hundred thousand French soldiers as well
@@logana1999 yeah, it is patriotic to be cornered and let the Germans slaughter or capture the only hope for Europe at the time.
You are an idiot and thankfully not a military strategist.
The feeling of pride those soldiers must have felt when they saw their own citizens come to rescue them must have been overwhelming. The fact this is true and really happen is incredible.
And the fact that many of these amateurs sacrificed their lives in the effort makes the whole thing heroic.
I expect relief was the most important feeling at that point - pride would come later.
Hell 3 Luxury liners even participated
Most of the Little Ships were actually crewed by Royal Navy sailors during Operation Dynamo. Some, such as fishing vessels, were crewed by their owners, but most were not.
@@brycepatties this was one part of the film where I wish it would have been more accurate. Almost all of the vessels were crewed by Royal Navy sailors or Royal Fleet Auxiliary sailors. Even the fishing boats that participated the crews were immediately sworn in as RFA sailors.
Anyone else just love the way the Commander just says "home" sounds like he's about to burst into tears out of pure joy
Because it was.
The man who planned the Dunkirk evacuation back in Dover Castle was an Royal Navy by the name of Bertram Ramsey.... Ironically he had retired a couple years earlier but Churchill called him back and installed him at that headquarters. He and his staff ran that evacuation I believe for 9 days and 9 nights without with very little rest or sleep.
If I remember the story correctly after they completed everything and got everyone back he went to report to the prime Minister and the King.
King George VI himself said to Admiral Ramsey that he had delivered a miracle to England.
Sadly Admiral Ramsey did not live to see the end of the war he died in a plane crash about 8 months before the end just after D-Day.
I was impressed at the fact Christopher Nolan used very little dialogue. With the superb actors, there was no need for lots of dialogue. Kenneth Brannagh was superb
You can see tears in his eyes, i don't believe they were there because he was acting, i think his emotions kicked in, as they would for many of us Britons.
And for many of us it wasn't just Mr Brannagh saying, "Home". Up until then you could hear a few notes from Nimrod, It was when he said Home it became unmistakable. Nimrod.
That is when i lost it in the cinema, i admit, i cried.
The soundtrack transition at 0:50 is one of the most glorious and touching in cinematic history. From complete despair, terror and utter hopelessness to relief , peace and calm, sheer optimism and hope.
Its Hans Zimmer. Did you expect any less? 😁😁
@@dwisetyogustiarilaksono1160 Elgar probably deserves some thanks also?
@@dwisetyogustiarilaksono1160 It's NIMROD from Elgar's Enigma variations :)
@@jodaandjedi And just about destroyed as it's SO slow.
@@dwisetyogustiarilaksono1160 It's Elgar, not Hans Zimmer. Go listen to the actual piece by Edward Elgar and you'll hear how incredible the actual piece really is. (Nimrod - Enigma Variations)!
I am an Indian.... Our history teacher took us to watch this movie in cinemas to teach us about the Dunkirk evacuation...... Our entire batch was teary eyed after watching this.... Humanity is the greatest gift we are given
I would rather support the germans than these brits
Humans also start world wars like this.
If it weren’t for the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers I wouldn’t live a free life thank you. You fought for freedom as well as us despite the fact we occupied your country. We owe India a huge debt
@@sapm9368
Ye, i wish there were a film about the Burma campaign, the Indians fought very well there
@@sapm9368 though our forefathers hated british rule. They admired Britan and it's culture a lot. Our freedom fighters Gandhi, Nehru and Ambedkar are huge anglophiles.
The smallest boat to make the journey was a father and his teenage son who roads across the channel in a row boat
Then the soldiers they picked up rowed then back because they were so exhausted
The smallest recorded of the "Little Ships" was the fishing boat *Tamzine* at fourteen feet, seven and a half inches; she looks like a stereotypical rowboat, but did in fact have a sail. She is preserved in the Imperial War Museum at Duxford to this day.
Desiree Arceneaux debunked
The West is the Best it shows you the determination us Brits we’re willing to go to bring our men home
The West is the Best Damn, that shows how dedicated they were to get their men home, the Brits are amazing
Folks, whatever the size of the little ship - it was an awesome moment, one we can all admire and the Brits can be proud to have done. I knew the history, but seeing this brought me to tears. This was real.
incredibly moving. makes you feel good
Proud to be British 😊
Late to the party eh?
@@TheLastBoyScout1991 What party? I don’t understand
@@Bandstand " Late to the Party " , a British under statement for the hell of battle .
@@shane-irish You silly twisted boy, you. Have a gorilla?
I'm Norwegian, not British, but this brings tears to my eyes. This whole movie was a masterpiece.
Fictional though, what a shame
@@peterdemkiw3280 what do you mean fictional Dunkirk happened during ww2 or are you referring to something else
@@lunabobles4526 it is true there was an evacuation of 26,000 men a day (1/3 of them French) from the port of Dunkirk, but this film is almost entirely fictional.
@@lunabobles4526 150 German bombers bombed the beach every 20 minutes from drawn to dusk weather permitting every day.. where was that?
Over 5,000 ships were fighting a naval battle, including anti submarine warfare from aircraft.
The complete town of Dunkirk was on fire with only the town hall still standing..
Do you see where I'm going with this??
The film called Dunkirk has the dates and the name of the post correct almost everything else is fictional.
@@lunabobles4526 no French soldiers were dressing up as British to escape, 1/3 of the men taken off the beach were French so the story of the French guy.. fictional.
Germans snipping soldiers.. fictional, the Germans never got close enough to have direct fire onto the beach, so that little story was fictional..
Spitfire landing on a clean beach, No wire or anti landing craft obstacles.. What part of the west coast of fortress Europe was that little bit of fiction supposed to have happened?
Britain's Fathers taking to the sea to rescue Britain's Sons
I saw some Mothers on those little ships. Awesome.
@@julieenslow5915 Yes and almost certainly that's genuine, the ladies of Britain at the time were a hard breed, many had lost brothers, fathers, or husbands just 20 years before and the great depression had hit Britain as hard as anywhere. The line I used however is a quote, from a biography on Churchill call "The Last Lion" that I read a long time ago
@@Gabryal77
It did sound like a quote and a beautiful one. Thanks for the information I will add that book to my list.
For the children. No higher duty.
Grace Skerp Perfect
My Grandfather, on my mother's side, was in Coastal Command, stationed at Hastings in 1940. He went across 8 times during Operation Dynamo. He was straffed and shelled on at least 5 occasions yet came home with many men. I never had the privilege of meeting him as he died of cancer in 1955. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
An absolute legend, definitely not an ordinary person
Get them home. Get them safe. My Grandfather was one of them.
Respect!
@tincho He was one of the soldiers on the beach. He knew that as long as they got to Dunkirk the Royal Navy would get them home to safety.
That is beautiful.
@oneraceonedestiny you live in denial. Your soldiers died so your country could be handed away to foreigners. Pathetic.
Respect
Let us also remember the over 236 "Little Ships"that never made it home.
What happened_
@@bradywilliams9924 They were sunk by bombers, minefields, German Army long range artillery, etc....
Brave civilians, God rest their souls.
@@geoffreymowbray6789 dam.
Amazing acts of bravery....
The composition just amazes me: Zimmer used a British classic: Elgar: Nimrod, and modernised it but kept that beautiful and sombre melody to create this tear-jerking scene. That guy doesn't get enough credit for his references and nuance
I quite agree even though I was a little underwhelmed by the film in general, an opportunity missed to tell this story. The soundtrack held the film together for me.
The movie was "dislocated" and jerked from place to place. Until this scene. When Zimmer used Elgar...with the chords stretched out, he captured the moment. The use of Nimrod was perfect. Most people who watched the movie probably never heard that magnificent music. It belongs there. Elgar would have approved.
Sanjosemike (no longer in CA)
Hans Zimmer is the greatest
Exactly. When I recognized Nimrod at first viewing it ripped me apart.
?????
You want to give him credit for a transposition of a masterpiece of classical music??!!
I'll grant you it works well in the scene - but for the same reason it has always worked - merely fiddling about with the tempo or key of such a thing is no great achievement, that goes to Elgar.
Not to mention the "reference" you speak of is done on every Remembrance Day in Britain - so he hardly takes credit for pulling those particular heart strings when such a precedent has been well laid down for many years now.
That's not to say that the rest of the soundtrack is not well done, but you are really stretching hero worship beyond the pale to credit him with something he clearly did not write.
The fact that they used some of the actual little ships that are still surviving to this day makes this scene that much more powerful, in terms of a movie scene its like the actors are saluting the ships themselves for what they did all those years ago.
Sadly it takes a tragedy to bring out the best in humanity.
You're right. That's the beauty of being a human. We make mistakes and something beautiful comes from them.
Not sad. Hopeful. When times are darkest, people will still light a candle.
The best and worst of humanity was on display for the world to see during the Second World War.
always
It needs to be night for stars to shine
I love how this scene was done, with the ominous music turning into hopeful. The salute by the destroyer's general quarters siren is a nice touch as well.
The transition from the depths of despair to the greatest ray of hope...a flawless transition. No wonder why this scene was the signature scene of the movie.
Years ago I went to Dover castle and you can visit the war rooms where Admiral Ramsay coordinated the efforts to save the men at Dunkirk. In one of the rooms there is a table above which hung lots of phone receivers. A crew of ladies worked night and day there taking information and updating the map that lay on the table, which disappeared after the war. English Heritage managed to get their hands on the original table that was used during the evacuation. A group of old ladies visited Dover castle and told our guide that they used to work at that very table.
That is legendary.
Lovley place aswell
Looks over all of dover
Looking back, it seems incredible that this war happened without computers. Yes, there were clunky lever and pulley adding machines and more sophisticated versions based on the same lever and pulley design ...
but no digital computers.
I was born in 1952. WW II was still "THE WAR". It might, just barely, have been fought with the same soldiers of the Normandy Invasion by William the Conqueror. Updating weapons, and train, no substantial difference.
No more.
If that don't bring tears to your eyes, your not human.
No, you mean you're not English.
@@davidhumphrey2593 i'm ukrainian. And that did
As a German I only shread a tear about Hitlers naivety to stop the tanks before Dunkirk
No, he is a German lol
@@davidhumphrey2593 I'm not english and I cry every time I watch this scene.
My family emigrated from England in 1964 when I was 7. I have considered myself to be an Aussie but, after watching "Dunkirk" and this scene in particular, I am proud of my English heritage. Little people being great heroes. We may never see their like again.
This makes me cry with so much emotion. Mr grandfather was at Dunkirk as part of the expeditionary force, he survived and then fought in Burma for 4 years, including the Battle of Kohima. When he came home eventually in 1945 - he weighed 6 stone and was riddled with malaria, he lived to the age of 89 and I am very proud of him.
Bloody onions ... How Zimmer's variation on Nimrod just drifts into your consciousness as the small boats become larger just gets me every time.
My late Father in Law was shot and badly injured at Dunkirk, was rescued by these insanely brave people and never forgot it. He went back on D Day +1 and went all the way to Hamburg repaying old scores for lost mates.
Lovely Yorkshire gent, scarred by war but full of stories, daft humour and sadly died too young. Loved him to bits.
Without Dunkirk I would never have had a huge part of my life ...
Charles Lightoller, the second officer of the "Titanic" used his own yacht to save 127 servicemen at Dunkirk.
At least he got to rescue at least some brits from the water in his life
@@randomzville9662 His son, the one on the boat with him, died in 1945, during a German raid from the Channel Islands.
The yacht that the movie follows was inspired by his story interestingly.
Lightoller an often forgotten hero. Man was a legend
When some of those he rescued found his claim to fame there was an amount of negative muttering. THe majority reply being .- "Well you're always welcome to swim back to Blighty!"
How in the hell, going through this, then going through the air raids, and after all that, how in the world did England not sink into the ocean with the size of balls the people had there?
The brass in their balls had to be extracted to help replace all the lost equipment, perfect balance
Cuz the french army saved your a**** it was far lighter then
@@brieuclef calm down. unhistoric boio
Daniel Prado was it a worthy sacrifice? Yes it was
@@thesedreamsarefree well considering that the british soldiers shoot at the french one because they needed to win some time, I don t thinks this is disrespecting, just someone who is pissed off that this part has been forgoten
This film is a cinematic masterpiece.
Agreed my friend agreed.........btw rip to all those 450,000 British and 1,000,000 French soldiers protecting their homeland
No, it's misleading and very confusing: It switches from day to night and back without rhyme or reason and one character appears to be in two places at once. Plus apparently the RAF consisted of two spitfires.
sandra wise directors make movie the way they want to.
sandra wise two spitfires with the unlimited ammo cheat switched on
@@maggiesmith856 cinematic masterpieces don't really appeal to simpletons
Can't remember the last time a movie scene got people around me in the cinema to actually cry.
Try the scene of the mother in Saving Private Ryan.
I was in the service and we were watching that and I can tell you right now I saw men that served in Iraq and Afghanistan weep at that scene.
@@navblue20 I made it though that whole movie stone faced, but then at the very end when Matt Damon says "tell me i'm a good man" i became a blubbering mess
Lord willing when I'm retired
I will be able to vacation in England and visit the history of this wonderful and blessed country.
Respect from America.
Thomas Lawson Shut up
you will be more than welcome I am retired and had the pleasure of visiting your country
And you will be most welcome....
Or just visit it now? Why visit the UK when retired as opposed to now.
I feel you. My ancestry is split pretty evenly with England and Scotland. I would love to visit the UK and learn more about my heritage.
When English moms and dads went to fetch their kids, brings tears to my eyes everytime
Amen
*Sons. Let’s not let the modern times and the PC-era mangle history.
@@drnkinirish
Those sons were still their parents’ kids at the end of the day.
@@drnkinirish Sons are still kids you pleb.
@@drnkinirishwomen of the ATS and nurses were also at Dunkirk. Many evacuated successfully but some not.
As an American, this scene made me tear up. God bless Great Britain
Every time i see this it’s brings tears to my eyes, my grandfather was on one of those boats. I’m so proud to be British 🇬🇧
I'm not British, but this is awesome
My great uncle Griffith Pierce Owen joined the army in 1937 to get away from the poverty of slate mining, he served at Dunkerque and north Africa, he was MIA for months, he was a kind warm and very funny man full of fun, our family and village knew what he had been through and loved him deeply. Thank you lads.
When you look back on history, you cannot help but be amazed at the dedication and honor of the British people. While the United States certainly deserves credit, more important is to remember how the British stood alone against Germany and won the Battle of Britain - their stand gave the Allies hope to win the war, the invasion would have been inexorably more difficult if the UK were in German hands.
Its also important to call out the Soviet Union. Many historians have said that, had Hitler not attacked the Soviet Union and thus opened the Eastern Front any invasion into Europe would have been repulsed.
If Britain had fallen America could not have invaded mainland Europe. They would also not have been able to adequately supply the USSR with vital war material.
The two acts that lost Germany the war were failing capitalise in May 1940 and the USSR winning the battle of khalkhin gol.
Amen to that.
Most historians agree than the US would have won the war with Germany even without the Russians, but it would have taken a lot more years and a lot more soldiers would have died. The US was just an industry juggernault. They would have probably used atomic bombs in Europe too. Now. If Russia stayed neutral in WW2, would the americans won the Cold War? The Russians lost a lot of men power during WW2, Moscow was burned down, etc. History would have been VERY different lol
@@KingZercules Moscow was burned down during WW2?
@@stevenguild2707 No you're right, I got mixed up with Napoleon when the russians burned down Moscow instead of surrendering it.
This scene gets me every damn time.
Watch the funeral planning scene in Tunes of Glory for a tear jerker.
As an American this touch my heart deeply that civilians on small boats had gone into a blazing hell to get their men back theyre true heros if i was in that situation i would've done the same thing i wouldn't have waited my kid needs and many needed to be rescued.
Dunkirk is probably one of the least understood epic turning points of WWII. I'm so glad they made this movie to highlight it.
I am not even a British,But I am amazed so many non Britishers feeling moved by this moment and writing in comment sections so strongly for it .In this quarantine have watched this scene like 15 odd times,honestly it makes eyes teary every time.A real gem of the scene captured here.Also felt surprised to know about the connection between titanic survivor and dinkirk rescuer in this corona phase while staying at home.
Truly a master price presented in this scene.
@Heather Stephens mixed bag of history we have...but a horrible last 1000 years...any case ,,how are things at your end in these times?things pretty bad in my nation due to coronavirus
*"You have no idea what Dunkirk is, right? You're a stranger to history. You're a stranger to war. You just wave your hand and it all goes away. Well, it's not so easy for those who died and it was not so easy for those who were left behind."*
_Admiral Jean Luc Picard_ _(retired)_
Many left behind were the British also.
@@Anglo-Brit Correct RIP the Royal Yorkshire regiments to a man, massacred by the SS at La Paradis.
Well . This is the story of those who were rescued .
1:50 When Commander Bolton teared up knowing his mission was hopeless until his countryman came to the rescue really got to me. What an amazing moment to watch.
The best scene in the entire movie as well as the best line. I sat in the theater with tears streaming down my face. Nimrod is one of my favorite pieces of music. I don't understand anyone who knows an inkling of what went on that day who isn't moved by that scene.
I can't listen to Nimrod without tearing up so to hear it incorporated into this beautiful scene..well it's overwhelming to say the least.
@@AlisonBryen there are a few really "perfect'' pieces of music but Nimrod is certainly one of them.
It's so lovely seeing this parade of restored ships, many of them real Little Ships, with their crews. I have friends who had a ship in this fleet for the movie. Many Dutch entries as well. Just wonderful to watch
As a Canadian, I have always felt pride in the the history of my British "cousins".
Dignity in defeat. This too was one of those "the few for the many" times!
I WILL REMEMBER THEM 🌺🇬🇧🇨🇦🌺
David Carr
The people of the United Kingdom will never forget the contribution of the Canadian Armed Forces, and civilians that helped us out in those terrible times, Canada is a true friend.
canada supplied us with our wheat throughout the war, in silence.. brothers will always look out for one and other. glory to canada 🇬🇧🇨🇦
The idea of civilians showing up to rescue soldiers, with the beautiful score in the background, for me is one of the most beautiful moments In cinematography history. And it gives me goosebumps everytime I watch it. Well done Christopher Nolan, well done!
The truth is that most of the civilian boats used to transport more than 350,000 British, French, Dutch, Belgians as well as other nationalities soldiers to England are crewed by the Royal Navy servicemen and experienced volunteers after the boats are requisitioned by the British government. Some boats are crewed by their owners.
Kenneth Branagh is wonderful in this little clip.
One of the best and heart warming scene ever to be shown in the world of Movies. Awesome Background score, Acting, Expressions, Visual pleasure, Beautiful Cinematography and the most toughest part to bring this all together at the same time is Direction by none another than the master artist - Christopher Nolan! Hats off to him and his team. A thrilling, goosebumps and emotional experience all at same time. Emotions feel you up when the Commander says "Home".. A true Masterpiece!
As an American, I never tire of watching this movie. The portrayal of yeoman and grizzled old sea dogs crossing the channel is just inspiring beyond belief.
This scene is so powerful, it brings tears to my eyes just by remembering the first time I saw it. What a magnificent piece of cinema this film is.
The Movie sucked.
The beach was clean, tidy and empty, 4 planes in the air, and one ship at sea .
The movie "Troy" bad a much more crowded beach.
Love the hints of Elgar's "Enigma Variations (Nimrod)" in the background music. A quintessential British piece for one of the most quintessential British moments.
I have no words....simply splendid, what a moment, gives me goosebumps every time
Love how the soldiers are waving and celebrating while the old brigade on the little boat fleet are standing stoic and resolute; unwavering in their commitment as they sail into the hell in front of them…
New Britannic (the wooden ship seen at 1:01) was one of twelve original "Little Ships" that took part in Operation Dynamo that were used in the filming.
She was saved after Daily Mail readers donated enough money to get her sea worthy again.
This is something that I find extraordinary in the British character, when the country has faced total ruin and destruction by a foreign enemy the British people have found the courage to unite and fight as one, no matter what. Really moving.
We will fight them on the beaches......on the landing grounds in the fields and streets....
I think it’s bred within us generations and generations even before ww2 stood to defend this island
The use of an elongated arrangement of Elgar’s stunning orchestration “Nimrod” is so incredibly moving.
When Branagh smiles and says "home" I lost it. My God, I'm getting all misty watching it again for the 15th time.
Same
I can't watch it without tears coming to my eyes.
My American Pit-bull became a British Bull Dog after watching this
0:29 The Commanders face expression, he looked clearly worried thinking that the small little dots were enemies. But to a shock when it was British Citizens answering the call.
Such a moving scene. God bless the brave civilians who risked their lives to bring our lads home
In america: you come home
In great britain: home comes to you
In russia : we come to your home
Dunkirk spirit: face adversity and don’t give up...
And boy, do we need it now.
We need that spirit, now more than ever.
Patay, Austerlitz, Verdun we do thank the French. But then the French act like they are completely responsible for the evacuation taking place ignoring the British rear guard,royal navy and RAF.
"Despite our overwhelming numerical and material superiority, French troops counter-attacked in several places. I can't understand how such brave soldiers, fighting in various places at one against ten (sometimes even one against thirty), still manage to find enough strength to go on the assault: it's simply amazing! I find among the French soldiers of Dunkirk the same ardour as that of the poilus of Verdun in 1916. For several days hundreds of bombers and guns have been pounding the French defences. However, it is still the same thing, our infantry and tanks cannot break through, despite some ephemeral local successes. The French command has very skilfully installed its troop and artillery. I fear that Dunkirk will be a failure for us: almost the entire British expeditionary force and most of the 1st French army will escape us, because a few thousand brave people are blocking our access to the sea. It's appalling, but that's the way it is."
"Dunkirk proves to me that the French soldier is one of the best in the world. The French artillery, so feared in 14-18, once again demonstrated its dreaded effectiveness. Our losses are terrifying: many battalions have lost 60% of their strength, sometimes even more! “
"By resisting about ten days to our forces, which were significantly superior in terms of numbers and resources, the French army achieved a superb feat in Dunkirk that is to be commended. It certainly saved Britain from defeat, by allowing its professional army to reach the English coast."
General Von Küchler commandant of the XVIII army
during the last stand of the french army to cover the british at Dunkirk.
@@commando4481 the British promised to Engage 30,000 soldiers to defend the Dunkirk perimeter until all non-combatants are completely evacuated.
The goal was to delay the Wehrmacht as long as possible to give the French as much time as possible to organize their defensive front line further south.
The British will not honour their commitment.
Only 2,500 to 6,000 soldiers will fight, and they will fight less and less until they definitively abandon their combat position on the night of May 30, 1940.
The French found themselves alone with 30,000 against 130,000 Germans and had to hold a frontline that was planned for 60,000.
Greatest generation ever called upon to do a job simply remarkable
no one cares
@@biscuitbeef4062 well arent you just a lovely person
@@nightmare22c16 Its an inspiring great story but like stop it with the boomerness
@@biscuitbeef4062 its not being a boomer its called having respect for some of the most courageous people of all time
@@nightmare22c16 See I understand and respect that but the talk of greatest generation is just annoying and stupid, in my generation we haven't had a world war but we still face other things, My og comment was kinda stupid but still my point stands ig.
Beautiful story, great directing and heart warming music.
Heart wrenching.
Texans aren't supposed to cry, so I'm breaking a few rules. Wonderful scene, feels my heart with joy to see civilians do something like this to save their boys.
Watching this with my dad in the cinema is one of the best cinema experiences I’ve had
Chilling score + epic editing + tremendous acting + masteful directing
And based on true events
Tears. Tears all over.
I cruised down the Thames for a river party last year on a boat called Viscount. I saw below her bridge a small plaque saying "Dunkirk 1940". I asked one of the crew if Viscount was one of the little ships, and he confirmed it. So I have had the privilege of sailing on one of these heroic vessels.
One of the most moving scenes in modern history and modern cinema. Seeing this in theaters was such an experience.
I dont know anyone who was there, or any of their family, but this scene still had me bawling my eyes out. Thank you, to all of you.
They are all over 100 years old now for the most part.....DDay 80th anniversary this year....never forget..remember their sacrifice...celebrate their lives.
It's been a while and tears still flow. Here's to all the Little Ships who brought soldiers safe home and for those 236 Little Ships who were sunk (approximately 1 in 4 didn't make it back).
"Nimrod" is the perfect music to accompany this scene.
Masterpiece movie and one of the many transcendent scenes in the movie. Moved me to tears at the cinema. Truly beautiful composition
A great film, my own father was at Dunkirk and this particular scene always makes me cry a bit in memory of my dad and the brave man and woman who want to rescue their sons and daughter off the beaches of Dunkirk.
My Great Great Grandfather went there on his boat to rescue people. He ran away from his home on the outer Hebrides when he was young to become a master mariner. He later sailed his boat into hell for all of us. He did his bit, even being from such an isolated Scottish island. So proud of my country. I have blood from every corner of these isles, and I couldn’t be prouder to call myself British
Dinkirk wasn't hell. For civilians it was fairly riskless.
The fact of the story of the Dunkirk rescue is amazing.
That many of the little civilian fishing boats used in the movie actually had been part of the real event is such a great homage to all of those involved that day. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Chills for the scene and a tear in my eye. Sometimes in moments through history, people show the world how amazing they can be.
This scene is, by far, the best in the entire movie. It captures everything about the event and, tied with the score, is just perfection.
1000 years from now, the evacuation of Dunkirk will STILL be one of histories greatest tales.
One of the most emotional stiring scenes from any film and showing the true British sprit
The immense amount of pride I have for my country is only strengthened by this act of pure courage. Patriotism at its finest. The very definition of "never leave a man behind."
Think it was a case of, don't leave your entire army behind. Magnificent scene though
@@ericjackson9496 I'd say more "Don't leave your sons to die."
This scene makes me emotional every time. I'm not even British, but I can only imagine the sense of pride and hope those soldiers must have felt. This is a scene of humanity at its best at a moment when the worst is there. ❤
I teared up when this scene kicked in the cinema back in August 2017. Doesn’t matter what race or ethnicity you are, such a unity touches human feelings beyond borders
This scene bring tears to my eyes it’s so beautiful.
When the small boats appeared, the entire audience in my theater cheered
This scene never fails to make me cry, my great-grandfather was on one of those little ships, one of the last to leave Dunkirk, after being wounded in the fighting at St-Valery. My Grandmother was born 10 months later. God bless the soldiers of the 51st, the French and the Belgians who all sacrificed themselves to make it possible.
It's really sad when watching this film my great grandfathers name is on a memorial at Dunkirk he was only 31 when he died he got blown up the proudest thing is I have his medals makes me so proud of him
I have the diary my grandfather kept as an infantryman in Europe during the war. He came home for X-mas, left the diary, then went back to war. He didn't make it home again. It's one of my most prized possessions, and my young nephew, who just joined the US Marines will be the eventual inheritor.
I can't begin to imagine the incredible relief those brave men felt seeing those tugs, yachts, motorboats, and every other kind of ship coming to get them. Lord, what a bunch of in brave civilians they were!
Of 323,226 men recorded as being brought back to Britain as part of the evacuation, 6,029 came in small boats, around 190,000 in warships ( 102,843 in destroyers) and just over 100,000 in civilian ships.
The little ships ferried troops from the beaches to the ships lying offshore. Those scenes in the movie, like much of the movie itself, were utterly inaccurate.
@@dovetonsturdee7033 It was the worst defeat Britain had ever suffered.
God, I teared up at this part of the movie. Christopher Nolan never disappoints.
The music score is just a masterpiece. Tense, gripping and eerie. What this film was trying to depict but also that of joy, spirit and adventure ❤️
Kenneth Branagh did an amazing bit of acting...all with his face so realistically changing from total distress, to heightened attention towards something on the horizon, to being somewhat stunned, and then to pure joy. His face captured the momentous moment perfectly and was probably on the faces of every soldier who really was on that beach so many years ago.
100% agree
We never knew them... but we WILL NEVER FORGET THEM
My grandfather was pulled off the beaches at Dunkirk. Lost his favorite pipe when his backpack was dropped by accident into the Channel. Cannot watch this film without crying - such heroism and bravery across the board. Brilliant.
My grandfather was as well. I for one am extremely grateful for the civilians who willingly went unarmed into combat. I am also grateful to all of the soldiers (irrespective of nationality) who gave up their lives so that he had the chance to come home.
The Music is the most important metaphor here, The tension theme reflects the fear and pain where as the nimrod part reflects the the relief. Love the scene
Always chokes me up thinking about how the feeling of being abandoned and forgotten about must’ve melted away for those men when those boats came into view. Also the determination and bravery from all those ordinary citizens who stopped waiting for a solution that might not come and took action themselves. They couldn’t get home so home came for them… pretty moving moment
Interesting story, at the movie theatre i used to work at in Calgary Alberta, at the premiere of this movie, there was a Dunkirk veteran in attendance. He was one of the Navy men crewing the small boats. He gave a really interesting interview about the movie and his wartime experiences.
In my profession as a nurse, I've had the privilege of taking care of so many of these heroes. The world is in debt to you. Thank you
Back to when this county had a set and we were PROUD to be British bless them all