In the world of streaming movies, there is a principle that stands out among the rest: Make It Repetitive. This principle is essential for keeping viewers engaged and focused, especially in a world full of distractions like dogs, doorbells, and Instagram.
One movie that exemplifies this principle is “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” a thrilling adaptation of the nonfiction book by Damien Lewis. The film follows a band of rogues led by Gus March-Phillipps, played by the mustachioed Henry Cavill, as they embark on a dangerous mission to disrupt supply lines to U-boats during World War II.
Throughout the movie, the screenplay follows the time-honored principle of repetition: tell them what you’re going to tell them, then tell them, then tell them what you told them. British intelligence leaders, including Churchill and Ian Fleming, repeatedly explain the mission to March-Phillipps and his team, ensuring that viewers are always in the loop.
Even in the final act of the movie, March-Phillipps is seen standing around narrating the progress of the mission, reiterating key points for those who may have missed them earlier. This repetitive storytelling technique may seem exasperating to some, but it ensures that no viewer is left behind.
Despite the high stakes of World War II, “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” takes a lighthearted approach to the conflict. The characters’ hatred of the Nazis is linked to personal tragedies, but the film’s most detailed conversation about the stakes revolves around the prospect of having to eat sausages, cabbage, and brown bread forever if the Germans were to win.
In a world full of distractions and competing streaming options, “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” proves that repetition is key to keeping viewers engaged and invested in the story. So next time you find yourself reaching for a snack during a movie, don’t worry – they’ll probably say it again later.
