EXCLUSIVE: In this, the week marking 80 years since the historic Normandy Landings — when President Biden will arrive for his state visit commemorations — we can share news that European giant Studiocanal and Darkest Hour producer Working Title have come together on an exciting D-Day flick called Pressure.
This film chronicles the incredible true story of what transpired before D-Day – its decision makers being placed under immense strain, their freedom of Europe dependent upon unpredictable weather patterns – while weather played such an instrumental role.
Group Captain James Stagg of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expedition Force was charged with providing General Dwight D. Eisenhower (the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces) with information that would impact their invasion efforts – especially weather forecasts that might threaten it. He reported his findings daily during his daily reports to Eisenhower at his headquarters at Supreme Headquarters Allied Expedition Force headquarters.
Stagg successfully advocated that, despite an intense heat wave and favorable tide/moon conditions, invasion be delayed from June 5 to 6 in order to thwart an impending front and ensure optimal conditions. German meteorologists expected it not to happen then due to forecasted unfavourable conditions but by postponing for one more day they managed to beat off unexpected gales that arrived that very same day and created more time and an opportunity to launch successful invasion operations.
Should they wait any longer, German troops would have noticed the British troop build-up along the British coastline and soon after landing, France experienced some of its harshest storms since decades – giving Stagg and Eisenhower only moments of opportunity for success when planning and carrying out this invasion. Stagg made his decision count, ultimately paying dividends as Eisenhower explained during a powerful CBS interview from 1964.
Anthony Maras of Hotel Mumbai fame will direct this film adaptation of Olivier Award-winner David Haig’s critically-acclaimed West End play of the same name, written with Maras and co-wrote by him and Haig themselves. Production plans call for shooting later this year with high-level cast in place – discussions have started already with potential collaborators on set and behind the camera!
Haig’s play explores Stagg’s personal and military strain as teams struggled with differing weather forecasts to set an appropriate date for D-Day. The film will show this pressure cooker decision making, along with showing its massive scale during landings.
This play first premiered at Edinburgh Festival Fringe before heading West and having its North American premier at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre earlier this year.
D-Day stands as one of the defining moments in Western history and has been depicted numerous times on screen – such as Saving Private Ryan, Band Of Brothers and The Longest Day.
This week marks the 80th Anniversary of Landings events are happening both in Britain and France to commemorate this historic date. President Biden made an official state visit to commemorate this milestone event; King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak all are attending celebrations within both nations to mark this special event.
Biden will spend five days in France to attend D-Day events in Normandy and deliver a high-profile speech contrasting his vision of democracy with that of 2024 political opponent Donald Trump, as well as hosting President Emmanuel Macron for an official state visit.
Studiocanal’s WWII drama The Imitation Game enjoyed both critical and commercial acclaim while Working Title scored both box office success and Oscar recognition with their darkest Hour film.
Barrage balloons and shipping at Omaha Beach during the Allied amphibious assault, prior to Mulberry Harbour being built (Photo by Three Lions/Getty Images)
