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Churchill: When Britain Said No

Documentary covering Winston Churchill's failure to be re-elected following the Second World War, with input from first-hand witnesses and historians.

Just weeks after VE day, Britain's great war leader Winston Churchill found himself in another battle - to be elected prime minister. He was confident of victory - a just reward for his leadership of the country through the dark days of World War II - but what happened next many still can't understand.

In one of the greatest election defeats of all time, Churchill was humiliated at the polls, his Conservative party almost annihilated. Why did his countrymen turn so vehemently on their great British bulldog? Was the rejection of Churchill a disgraceful mark of ingratitude or the most mature electoral decision ever made by a democracy?

With surprising revelations from first-hand witnesses, as well as historians including Sir Max Hastings, Juliet Gardiner, Anthony Beevor and writer Dave Douglass, this programme looks at his controversial legacy, and debates the weaknesses as well as the strengths of the man.

59 minutes

Last on

Wed 24 Apr 2019 23:00

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Credits

Role Contributor
Winston Churchill Christian Rodska
Clemmie Victoria Lennox
Mary Imogen Rose
Lord Moran Stephen Churchett
Alanbrooke Valentine Pelka
Clement Attlee Roy Weskin
Executive Producer Susan Jones
Executive Producer Nicolas Kent
Producer Christopher Spencer
Director Christopher Spencer
Production Company Oxford Film and TV

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