Brendan Fraser, left, as Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Andrew Scott as Capt. James Stagg and Kerry Condon as Capt. Kay Summersby in director Anthony Maras’ “Pressure.” (Alex Bailey/Focus Features/Studio Canal)
Andrew Scott as meteorologist Captain James Stagg goes head-to-head with Brendan Fraser’s Dwight D. Eisenhower in Focus Features’ new film, “Pressure.”
The movie details the hours leading up to D-Day through the eyes of Stagg, a Scottish scientist attached to the British Royal Air Force during World War II. Unlike most films set in that era, “Pressure” focuses on the data and the decision to proceed with the largest seaborne invasion in history, rather than the battle itself.
Originally written for the stage by David Haig, screenwriter and director Anthony Maras turned “Pressure” into a gripping war drama that manages to keep the audience on the edge of their seats, eyes glued to the screen.
Andrew Scott stars as Capt. James Stagg in director Anthony Maras’ “Pressure,” a Focus Features release. (Alex Bailey/Focus Features/Studio Canal)
Production still from director Anthony Maras’ “Pressure,” depicting the landing on Utah Beach on D-Day in 1944. (Alex Bailey/Focus Features/Studio Canal)
Brendan Fraser, left as Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower and Andrew Scott as Capt. James Stagg. (Alex Bailey/Focus Features/Studio Canal)
History buffs know that D-Day was originally planned for June 5, 1944, but an uncharacteristic system of storms threatened the operation and potentially the outcome of the war itself. Weather forecasting in 1944 was an educated guess at best, and not reliable more than 24 hours ahead.
With the clock to Operation Overlord counting down the minutes, Stagg faces the impossible task of drumming up a confidant weather report while he himself knew that in northern Europe the weather is never certain.
Contrasting with Scott’s relatively stoic portrayal of Stagg is Fraser’s Eisenhower; but this is not the Fraser audiences know and love, nor the reputable warm and smiling Ike. In “Pressure,” Fraser manages to dig into something larger than himself in his depiction of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, coming across as haunted, demanding and at times abrasive.
Brendan Fraser stars as Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower in director Anthony Maras’ “Pressure.” (Courtesy of Focus Features/Studio Canal)
Damian Lewis of “Band of Brothers” fame stars as Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery in “Pressure.” (Courtesy of Focus Features/Studio Canal)
Brendan Fraser stars as Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower in director Anthony Maras’ “Pressure,” a Focus Features release. (Alex Bailey/Focus Features/Studio Canal)
“Do you know weathermen are traditionally a little boring?” asks Kerry Condon’s Capt. Kay Summbersby of Britain’s Mechanised Transport Corps, as well as aide to Eisenhower.
“Weathermen, maybe, but how can the weather be boring?” Stagg replies.
An entire theatrical release about a weather report may not seem like a summer blockbuster, but Maras uses score and scenery to keep the audience suspended in a way that is best experienced only in a theater.
“Pressure” releases in theaters May 29.
Andrew Scott, left, as Captain James Stagg and Kerry Condon as Capt. Kay Summersby in director Anthony Maras’ “Pressure.” (Alex Bailey/Focus Features/Studio Canal)
Actor Andrew Scott, left, and director Anthony Maras during production of “Pressure.” (Alex Bailey/Focus Features/Studio Canal)
“Pressure” releases Friday, May 29, only in theaters. (Courtesy of Focus Features)
