“The weather can destroy us. It controls our daily life.”

- Meteorologist James Stagg,

“Pressure”

The weather nearly destroyed D-Day.

On the screen at the conclusion of the film, “Pressure,” the reason for the successful D-Day invasion of Normandy is stated thusly:

“We had better meteorologists than the Germans,” President Dwight D. Eisenhower told President-elect John F. Kennedy.

Meteorology and meteorologists are at the center of the movie, “Pressure,” which recounts the intense strategic debate depicted as taking place 72 hours before D-Day, June 6, 1944.

The decision for the Allies to invade Normandy, France (code name, Operation Overlord), was made by General Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower (a superb Brendan Fraser), supreme commander of the Allied forces in Europe.

It was a matter of when to best launch the D-Day invasion.

Eisenhower depended on the forecasts of chief Britain meteorologist Group Captain James Stagg (terrific Andrew Scott).

Stagg’s forecasts were at odds with those of Colonel Irving P. Krick (Chris Messina), an American meteorologist.

Eisenhower was caught between dueling weathermen.

Talk about an Occluded Front.

The “pressure” of the movie’s title is atmospheric and psychological.

“Get me the data. That’s what counts,” Stagg insisted.

On June 6, 1944, approximately 160,000 Allied troops landed on Normandy beaches, backed by 23,400 airborne troops, 1,200 warships and 12,000 aircraft.

By the end of June 1944, more than 850,000 Allied troops had gone ashore. The Allies retook Paris in August 1944. They reached Berlin in May 1945. The war in Europe ended May 8, 1945.

The movie “Pressure” is based on a play written by David Haig that premiered in May 2014, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh; had its West End premiere in June 2018, Ambassadors Theatre, London, and its North American premiere in January 2023, Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto.

Haig co-wrote the screenplay with Anthony Maras (director, “Hotel Mumbai,” 2018), who directed “Pressure.”

“Pressure” is a taut thriller, surprising for a film about meteorological patterns.

The cinematography (Jamie Ramsay), editing (Maras), acting and soundtrack (Volker Bertelmann, Oscar winner, score, “All Quiet on the Western Front,” 2023; Oscar nominee, score: “Conclave,” 2025; “Lion,” 2016) is impressive.

Kerry Condon (Oscar nominee, supporting actress, “The Banshees of Inisherin”) is intense yet compassionate as Kay Summersby, General Eisenhower’s assistant.

Damian Lewis is memorable as General Bernard “Monty” Montgomery.

Chris Messina is excellent as meteorologist Irving P. Krick.

Tamsin Topolski is wonderful as Liz Stagg, wife of James Stagg.

Brendan Fraser (Oscar, actor, “The Whale,” 2023) is indelible as General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Look for an Oscar actor nomination.

Andrew Scott (three Primetime Emmy nominations: “Ripley,” actor, series, 2024; “Black Mirror,” actor, 2020; “Blue Moon,” 2025) is riveting as James Stagg. Look for an Oscar actor nomination.

“Pressure” is a good film for these conflicted times. The film demonstrates that disagreement among earnest and dedicated men and women of good intent can yield great victories.

“Pressure” will be enjoyed by fans of traditional film-making, solid acting, and history and World II buffs. It’s a film that veterans and their families will especially admire.

“Pressure,” MPA rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned: Content inappropriate for children under 13) for war violence, bloody images, some strong language and smoking; Genre: War Drama: Run time: 1 hr., 40 mins. Distributed by Focus Features.

Credit Readers Anonymous: The soundtrack for “Pressure“ includes “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “Hi De Ho Man” (performed by Cab Calloway) and “All Creatures of Our God and King” (arranged by Vaughan Williams).

At The Movies: “Pressure” was seen in the standard format at the AMC Center Valley 16.

Theatrical Movies Domestic Weekend Box Office, June 12-14: “Disclosure Day,” directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Emily Blunt, opened at No. 1 with $44 million in 3,824 theaters.

2. “Obsession” moved up two places, $19 million in 3,068 theaters, $188.3 million, five weeks. 3. “Scary Movie” dropped two places from its one week at No. 1 with $14.5 million in 3,504 theaters, $84.5 million, two weeks. 4. “Backrooms” dropped one place, $11.2 million in 3,404 theaters, $160 million, three weeks. 5. “Masters of the Universe” dropped three places, $8.6 million in 3,677 theaters, $46.7 million, two weeks. 6. “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” stayed in place, $4.7 million in 2,680 theaters, $165 million, four weeks. 7. “Michael” stayed in place, $4.1 million in 2,256 theaters, $362.7 million, eight weeks. 8. “The Furious,” a Hong Kong action film, $2.7 million in 1,251 theaters, opening. 9. “Stop! That! Train!,” an action comedy starring RuPaul, $2 million in 1,161 theaters, opening. 10. “The Breadwinner” dropped two places, $1.5 million in 2,006 theaters, $17.5 million, three weeks.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of June 14 may be subject to change.

Unreel, June 19:

“Toy Story 5,” MPA rated PG (Parental Guidance Suggested: Some material may not be suitable for children) for some thematic elements and rude humor; 1 hour, 42 mins. McKenna Harris and Andrew Stanton direct the voice talents of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Conan O’Brien, Greta Lee, Bonnie Hunt, Kristen Schaal, Tony Hale, Wallace Shawn, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, John Ratzenberger, Keanu Reeves and Alan Cumming and the animation in the Adventure Comedy. Synopsis: Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the gang’s jobs are challenged when they’re introduced to electronics, a new threat to playtime.

Movie opening information from Internet Movie Database as of June 14 may be subject to change.

Four Popcorn Boxes Out of Five Popcorn Boxes