The Choral

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. As Dr. Guthrie pushes these young voices toward a performance of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius, the teenagers wrestle with impending conscription, growing up in the shadow of loss, love, and national tension.

Directed by BAFTA, Olivier and Tony Award winner Nicholas Hytner (The Crucible) and written by BAFTA, Olivier and Tony Award winner Alan Bennett, The Choral marks their fourth writer-director collaboration following the acclaimed films The Madness of King George, The History Boys, and The Lady in The Van.

With original screenplay by Alan Bennett, his first new film script in decades, alongside Fiennes the film stars Roger Allam and Mark Addy. With sweeping landscapes, choral harmonies, and intimate moments of transformation, the film explores the power of community, music, and art to heal in the darkest times. The Choral stands as both dedication and celebration delivering a story of voices raised together, even when separated by war.

Movie Information

Release Date

5 November 2025

Duration

113 MIN

Rating

M

Director

Nicholas Hytner

Cast

Ralph Fiennes, Mark Addy, Roger Allam, Simon Russell Beale

Genre

Drama, History, Music, Romance, War