Director Guy Ritchie’s ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare‘ brings World War II commandos to life with a brutal twist, thanks in part to Henry Cavill’s improvisation.
In several delightfully bloody scenes, Cavill’s character, Major Gus March-Phillipps, gleefully massacres Nazis while wagging his tongue in a manic grin. Surprisingly, Cavill improvised this iconic moment, adding an extra layer of intensity to the action-packed film’s first trailer.
“It was a co-improvisation between Guy and myself,” Cavill revealed at the film’s New York premiere. “Guy said, ‘I want you to have more fun with it. Stick your tongue out or something.’ And so we did, and it stuck, as featured quite well in the trailer.
That was the first moment where we decided Gus was going to be slightly unhinged in these moments, and that makes it more fun.”
Writer Arash Amel, adapting Damien Lewis’ book, acknowledged the creative liberties taken while ensuring authenticity. He noted that Cavill’s improvised tongue-wagging perfectly captured the essence of Major Gus March-Phillipps, a character deeply driven by his disdain for Nazis.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare chronicles the first special forces organization formed during WWII by Winston Churchill and Ian Fleming. Alongside Cavill, the ensemble cast includes Eiza González, Alan Ritchson, and more.
González, portraying Marjorie Stewart, emphasized her character’s toughness, forged through rigorous preparation, including learning languages and embodying women’s roles in the WWII era.
Reflecting on the collaborative process, Cavill praised Ritchie’s openness to spur-of-the-moment ideas, fostering a familial atmosphere on set. Despite occasional rejection, the creative freedom allowed for memorable moments that enhanced the film’s dynamic narrative.
