PRESSURE
(director/writer: Anthony Maras; screenwriter: David Haig/Play by Haig; cinematographer: Jamie Ramsay; editor: Anthony Maras; music: Volker Bertelmann; cast: Andrew Scott (James Stagg), Brendan Fraser (President Eisenhower), Kerry Condon (Kay Sommersby), Chris Messina (Irving Crick), Damian Lewis (‘Monty’ Montgomery), Conn O’Neill (Trafford-Leigh Mallory), Robert Portal (Bertram Ramsay), Tamsin Topolski (Liz Stagg), Jojo Macari (Andrew Carter, weather officer); Runtime: 100; MPAA Rating: PG-13; producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Cass Marks, Lucas Webb; Focus Features; 2026-UK/France)
“Tedious history drama.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
Anthony Maras (“Hotel Mumba!”) directs this tedious history drama based on the 2014 stage play by David Haig. Maras and Haig are co-writers. The story revolves around how in WW2 the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944 was planned and then carried out the liberation of occupied Western Europe by the Allies.
“Pressure” focuses on all the human chaos and the different weather reports of two meteorologists: the American, Colonel Irving Krick (Chris Messina), who pushes for a delay, and, the soft-spoken Scotsman, Captain James Stagg (Andrew Scott), of the Royal Air Force, who wants to invade as planned for. The American supreme commander of the Allies, Gen. Dwight Eisenhower (Brendan Fraser), implores the chief meteorologist James Stagg (Andrew Scott) that “I need a forecast” of the weather on the day of the invasion. And they work around the clock at the Allied Headquarters in the Southwick House to make sure they get it right.
It also tells us of the risk facing Stagg’s pregnant wife (Tamsin Topolski), who is in a hospital that’s being bombed.
Kerry Condon warmly plays Kay Sommersby, the loyal British aide to Ike and friend of Stagg.
The British General Montgomery is played by Damian Lewis, as someone resentful the less experienced Ike got the command over him.
Conn O’Neill plays Trafford -Leigh Mallory. the head of the Ally air support. Robert Portal plays Bertram Ramsay the naval commander.
The story keeps repeating itself and there’s no action, and its weather story is as exciting as watching a weather report on TV.
REVIEWED ON 5/30/2026 GRADE: C+
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