Nicholas Hytner and Alan Bennett reunite for The Choral, a WWI drama arriving December 25, 2025. Set in Yorkshire’s Ramsden in 1916, Ralph Fiennes leads an ensemble cast through music’s power to unite communities.
The Choral: Film Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| US Release | December 25, 2025 (Limited) |
| Director | Nicholas Hytner |
| Writer | Alan Bennett (original screenplay) |
| Runtime | 1 hour 53 minutes |
| Rating | R |
| Distributor | Sony Pictures Classics |
Ralph Fiennes as Dr. Henry Guthrie
Two-time Oscar nominee Ralph Fiennes (The English Patient, Schindler’s List, Harry Potter) plays Dr. Henry Guthrie, a demanding choirmaster recently returned from Germany. Film enthusiasts will recognize his understated performance. Guthrie faces suspicion due to his time abroad, atheism, and implied homosexuality—three strikes in 1916 Yorkshire. He recruits teenagers and older residents to perform Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius.
The Choral Society Leaders
Roger Allam (Endeavour) plays Duxbury, the mill owner hiring Guthrie. Mark Addy (Game of Thrones) portrays Joe, a committee member. Alun Armstrong is Trickett, the undertaker whose business thrives tragically during wartime.
Simon Russell Beale as Edward Elgar
Acclaimed actor Simon Russell Beale appears as composer Edward Elgar. The Sony Pictures Classics production marks his fourth Hytner-Bennett collaboration.
The Young Choir & Supporting Cast
Jacob Dudman delivers a standout as Clyde, a wounded soldier. Reuben Bainbridge plays Black Bright, facing conscription. Emily Fairn portrays Bella. The ensemble includes Robert Emms (Chernobyl), Thomas Howes, Fenella Woolgar, and Amara Okereke. For period drama lovers, the cast chemistry elevates Bennett’s screenplay.
The Story
With most men enlisted, Ramsden’s society faces extinction. The committee hires controversial Guthrie. A brick labeled “Hun muck” gets thrown through a window. Drawing inspiration from real societies like Huddersfield, the film shows how Elgar’s English music offers respite from war’s chaos.
Reception
After UK release November 7, 2025, critics praised performances. Some note predictable structures, but audiences appreciate its meditation on war’s futility. Screened at São Paulo and AFI Fest.
FAQs
Is The Choral based on a true story?
No, it’s an original Alan Bennett screenplay—his first in decades. However, it draws loose inspiration from real WWI choral societies like Huddersfield that performed despite losing men to war. The fictional Ramsden and Dr. Guthrie reflect authentic 1916 Yorkshire circumstances and prejudices.
