The Choral

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The Choral

R

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1h 48m

History

Drama

Music

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64%

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75 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

1916. As war rages on the Western Front, the Choral Society in Ramsden, Yorkshire has lost most of its men to the army. The Choral's ambitious committee, determined to press ahead, decides to recruit local young males to swell their ranks. They must also engage a new chorus master, and despite their suspicions that he has something to hide, their best bet seems to be Dr. Henry Guthrie (Ralph Fiennes) -- driven, uncompromising, and recently returned from a career in Germany. As conscription papers start to arrive, the whole community discovers that the best response to the chaos that is laying waste to their lives is to make music together.

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Critics Consensus

Despite sharp dialogue and a stellar turn from Ralph Fiennes, The Choral struggles to harmonize its numerous characters and themes, resulting in a well-meaning but emotionally scattered drama.

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Barry Hertz

Globe and Mail

19h

A period piece of insignificant impact and distressingly drippy intentions, its filmmakers so concerned with their project being considered handsome and respectable that they fail to spark any emotional response beyond the most passive of shoulder shrugs.

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Peter Travers

The Travers Take

6d

3/4

Stodgy? Maybe. But the sincerity of this crowdpleaser starring Ralph Fiennes as wartime choirmaster is a refreshing alternative to the glut of computer-generated junk that crowds our movie houses

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Jake Wilson

Sydney Morning Herald

6d

4/5

The most moving moments in this moving film occur when characters refuse to compromise their principles to smooth the path to a happy ending – indicating that Bennett...has his own clear sense of where to draw the line.

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Liz Braun

Original Cin

1h

B

Though a beautifully made film with a great cast and impeccable production credentials, The Choral, alas, is a bit dull.

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

1d

3/5

The Choral is an old-fashioned diversion about music’s ability to bridge societal gaps, buoyed by a terrific lead performance by Ralph Fiennes.

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Jim Schembri

jimschembri.com

1d

2/5

Things just don’t gel in this try-hard attempt at a feel-good WW1 flag waver...Seems it’s OK to send men off to the killing fields so long as you get the choir right.

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Dec 30

Great story, great characters. both poignant and uplifting. so well acted and directed. cinematography was great. two thumbs up, way up

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Dec 26

Great movie. Wonderful story, acting and directing.

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Marc S

15h

Fun film, touching story, great acting and wonderful music. Better than most critic-acclaimed movies currently playing.

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Bernard M

1d

Really enjoyed every moment of this moving film (could have done without the Elgar scene as I felt it jarred the film). Excellent cast;beautiful music and well written.

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Art S

@Tasman1 5d

One of the most memorable films I have ever seen. It knits the stories of social order, young men going off to fight (and possibly die) and the different aspirations of the main characters. Beautifully written and excellent acting throughout. I was engrossed in the story from first to last !

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Walter W

5d

"The Choral" is a celebration of music led by Ralph Fiennes as German sympathiser "Dr. Henry Guthrie" during the World War One setting for this historical UK drama. This passionate choirmaster is not a popular choice after performing in Germany, but a Yorkshire choral society has no choice after their regular bloke is recruited during wartime. There's some great performances from up and coming actors in this slice of life from the early 1900's in Britain...including budding romances. The cast also features stalwarts of English cinema, Mark Addy, Alun Armstrong and Roger Allum. "The Choral" is a moving British film that tugs on your heartstrings and also plays it for laughs. It’s a cinematic experience that culminates in changing lives and will resonate with you long after you’ve left the multiplex. "The Choral" can't help but move you and remind us of the folly of the so-called Great War and all the others that followed from director Nicholas Hytner ("The Lady In The Van").

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Nicholas Hytner

Director

Ralph Fiennes

Actor

Roger Allam

Actor

Amara Okereke

Actor

Simon Russell Beale

Actor

Thomas Howes

Actor

The Choral: Exclusive Movie Clip - Not Bad

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Synopsis

1916. As war rages on the Western Front, the Choral Society in Ramsden, Yorkshire has lost most of its men to the army. The Choral's ambitious committee, determined to press ahead, decides to recruit local young males to swell their ranks. They must also engage a new chorus master, and despite their suspicions that he has something to hide, their best bet seems to be Dr. Henry Guthrie (Ralph Fiennes) -- driven, uncompromising, and recently returned from a career in Germany. As conscription papers start to arrive, the whole community discovers that the best response to the chaos that is laying waste to their lives is to make music together.

Director: Nicholas Hytner
Producer: Kevin Loader, Nicholas Hytner, Damian Jones
Screenwriter: Alan Bennett
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Sony Pictures Classics, BBC Film, Screen Yorkshire, Head Gear Films, Metro Technology
Rating: R (Sexual Content|Some Language)
Genre: History, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2025, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $60.6K
Runtime: 1h 48m