07/17/2025
Six Minutes to Midnight is a British wartime drama released in 2020 and directed by Andy Goddard. The screenplay, written by Goddard along with Celyn Jones and Eddie Izzard, is loosely inspired by real historical events. Set shortly before the outbreak of World War II, the film combines espionage, political tension, and moral conflict during a volatile period in British history.
The story takes place in a coastal town in England, where a finishing school for daughters of high-ranking German officials operates under the surface of increasing international unrest. A teacher arrives under suspicious circumstances, uncovering secrets that hint at a larger political conspiracy. As tensions mount, the line between loyalty and deception becomes increasingly blurred.
Eddie Izzard leads the cast in a central role that involves both intrigue and physical danger. Supporting performances are delivered by Judi Dench, who plays the headmistress of the school, along with Carla Juri, James D'Arcy, and Jim Broadbent, each contributing to the film’s atmosphere of suspicion and urgency.
The film premiered in the United Kingdom on March 26, 2021, through Sky Cinema. Upon release, it garnered a mixed response from critics, with praise for its performances and historical setting but criticism aimed at elements of the plot and pacing. With its blend of suspense and period detail, Six Minutes to Midnight offers a fictionalized look at a lesser-known chapter of pre-war Britain.