Glorious 39

In the idyllic British countryside, the period before the start of World War II was a time of high tension between those wanting appeasement and those wanting war with Nazi Germany. Anne Keyes (Romola Garai, Emma, Atonement) is a budding young actress whose seemingly perfect life begins to unravel dramatically when she discovers a web of dark secrets and betrayals—personal as well as political. Bill Nighy, Julie Christie, David Tennant, Hugh Bonneville, Jenny Agutter and Jeremy Northam co-star in this stunning drama from acclaimed writer and director Stephen Poliakoff.

In present-day London, Michael Walton (Toby Regbo) visits his cousins, Walter and Oliver Page (Christopher Lee and Corin Redgrave). Michael, interested in family history, asks them about his great aunt, Anne Keyes (Romola Garai), the sister of his grandmother, Celia (Juno Temple). Anne, an actress, was the eldest of the three Keyes children; desperate for children, her father, Member of the House of Commons, Alexander (Bill Nighy) and mother, Maud (Jenny Agutter) had adopted her, however, Maud then gave birth to Ralph (Eddie Redmayne) and Celia. Michael is curious to learn what happened to Anne, which leads Walter to reminisce of the summer of 1939, at the Keyes estate in Norfolk.

On the day of Alexander's birthday, Anne has prepared a table in the garden to celebrate. Anne's friend, the outspoken MP Hector (David Tennant) and lover, the reserved Lawrence (Charlie Cox) are present for the festivities. When Alexander arrives that night, he also brings a guest, the quiet government employee, Joseph Balcombe, (Jeremy Northam). During dinner, Hector rants about Britain's lack of action against Nazi Germany, noting that while his view is unpopular, he feels that it needs to be said. It is later revealed that he has been one of those calling out for a new prime minister.

The next day, while looking for the family's missing cat, Anne finds her in one of the property's sheds, which had been off-limits due to them containing Alexander's manuscript papers. She finds gramaphone records labeled "Foxtrot," which upon listening, actually contain recorded meetings and telephone conversations. Alexander reveals that he has allowed Balcombe to store government documents in the shed.

Two weeks later, Anne is notified that Hector has been found dead, of an apparent suicide. Anne wonders if Balcombe had anything to do with Hector's death. Alexander brushes off the idea, but does offer to ask Balcombe to remove the records from the shed, something he promises to do the next day during a picnic. While there, the picnic-goers take off for a walk, including Aunt Elizabeth (Julie Christie), leaving Anne to watch over baby Oliver. Anne awakens to find Oliver and his pushchair missing. She follows his cries to no avail, and when the family returns, they search, too, until they find him in his pushchair on a lane. Anne vehemently denies moving the baby, but the incident plants roots of doubt about Anne's word.

Balcombe removes the records that night, but Anne has secretly kept several of them. The family then returns to London because Parliament has been recalled. While there, Anne listens to the records. One contains a recording of a distressed Hector pleading with Balcombe to cease calling him and also his parents. However, the maid bursts into the room, which causes the gramophone to fall, and the record to break into pieces. On September 1, Anne gives a second record to her fellow actor and friend, Gilbert (Hugh Bonneville), who is subsequently found dead from an apparent suicide.

Anne travels back to Norfolk to keep Aunt Elizabeth company, where she listens to the second recording all of the way through. On it, she recognizes Balcombe's voice, along with another, her brother, Ralph. At a party in London, Anne attempts to tell Lawrence of Ralph's involvement, but he already knows. Lawrence convinces Anne to send him the recording. After Anne later finds Lawrence's dead body, she is taken to Aunt Elizabeth's house to recover. Balcombe pays her a visit, and brings with him the second recording, which was sent to him instead of Lawrence. Balcombe informs her that the recording had been made for her father, and that was why they were stored at the house in Norfolk. He also informs her that their house in London is being used for series of meetings, which her father is chairing.

Alexander later admits to her that he believes that Britain will be completely destroyed unless it makes peace, and that nothing should disturb that. Alexander tells her that she is the only member of the family that does not share his beliefs, which is why they are keeping her locked away and sedated. After some time, Maud unlocks the door to release her while the rest of the family is at the park. She goes past them, and when they act as though nothing wrong had happened, Anne runs away.

Back in the present, Walter tells Michael that Anne died in Canada 20 years ago, and that he was just doing what his family and Balcombe had wanted. It is then revealed that Balcombe convinced Walter to move Oliver's pushchair into the lane. Michael asks Oliver and Walter to accompany him to meet his mother. They travel to the same park where Anne had last seen her family. A woman, Michael's mother, wheels an elderly woman towards them. That elderly woman is revealed to be Anne, and Michael tells them that Anne is actually his grandmother, and that he knew the truth all along.

Directed by Stephen Poliakoff
Written by Stephen Poliakoff
Produced by Barney Reisz
Executive Produced by James Atherton, Sheryl Crown, Sara Geater, Laurie Hayward
Original Music by Adrian Johnston
Cinematography by Danny Cohen
Film Editing by Jason Krasucki