Author Robert Harris blended history and fiction for his novel Munich, and now that story comes to life in Netflix's new espionage drama, Munich: The Edge of War. Though the film isn't positioned as one of the streamer's Oscar contenders this awards season (its January release makes it ineligible for the Academy Awards), its prestigious subject matter is certainly along the lines of what appeals to voters. Set against the backdrop of the 1938 Munich Agreement that preceded World War II, the movie features a desperate group of characters hoping to prevent the inevitable conflict that is to come. Munich: The Edge of War is a well-made period piece able to stage necessary tension despite its real-life story being so well-known.
At the heart of Munich: The Edge of War are Hugh Legat (George MacKay) and Paul von Hartmann (Jannis Niewöhner), two Oxford classmates whose paths drastically diverged after school. The former works as a secretary for British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain (Jeremy Irons), while the latter is a German diplomat who is a part of a secret opposition to Adolf Hitler (Ulrich Matthes). Hugh and Paul cross paths again at the Munich Conference, where Chamberlain and Hitler are among the world leaders negotiating a peace agreement. Knowing what Hitler's true intentions are, Paul tries to get Hugh's help to prevent Chamberlain from signing the agreement.
While the Munich Conference was a real-life event, Hugh and Paul - the film's two leads - are fictitious characters. This gives the film a small boost with regards to dramatic stakes, giving audiences a through-line to get invested in. Though it doesn't completely offset history spoiling the overall narrative, the focus on Hugh and Paul allows for some tense sequences, especially as the two go deeper into the realm of espionage and launch a dangerous plan. The script, written by Ben Power, paints the two old friends as well-intentioned individuals caught in a difficult situation. Paul especially has a meaty arc, with flashbacks illustrating his devotion to Hitler before a change of heart. The screenplay doesn't exactly break new ground (particularly in this genre), but it works well as a mixture of facts and fiction.
Munich: The Edge of War is directed by The Crown's Christian Schwochow, who proves to be a solid fit for the project. With the story taking place prior to the wide-scale conflict of World War II, there isn't a need to stage grand set pieces. Instead, Munich: The Edge of War is very performance and dialogue driven, banking on the strength of the cast to make an impact. Schwochow's approach isn't all that cinematic in the traditional sense, which works perfectly since the film will be seen by most at home on streaming. In some ways, it could pass for a British TV dramatic miniseries if it wasn't already a feature film. Schwochow's understated handling of the material gels with the serious tone the movie is going for and never calls attention to itself. Other technical aspects such as the production design and costumes help further immerse audiences in the time period.
The performances are what elevate Munich: The Edge of War. MacKay and Niewöhner make for a pair of appealing leads, selling the duo's camaraderie in flashbacks and inner turmoil in the main story. MacKay brings an everyman quality to Hugh, but Niewöhner has a bit more to do as a native German plotting against Hitler. He's responsible for some of the film's most tense and emotional moments - particularly when he finds himself in the presence of the Führer. Many of the supporting roles are largely one-dimensional, but Irons makes for an excellent Chamberlain, conveying the Prime Minister's desire to maintain peace in Europe. Matthes is also suitably chilling as Hitler, making the most of his limited screen time.
Munich: The Edge of War may not go down as one of the best Netflix original films, but it's still worth watching for history buffs with an interest in World War II. Streaming is probably the best home for a movie such as this. Even before the pandemic, Munich: The Edge of War would have gotten lost in the shuffle of higher-profile titles looking to make a splash at the box office or on the awards circuit. Going to Netflix will hopefully allow it to find its audience, even if it doesn't have the makings of being a crossover hit.
Munich: The Edge of War is streaming on Netflix beginning January 21, 2022. The film is 123 minutes long and is rated PG-13 for some strong language, thematic elements, smoking, and brief violence.