The Choral, the Yorkshire-set period drama with a cast of recognisable faces, has landed on subscription-based streaming in the UK following a low-key cinema release which saw it make $10 million at the box office.
Taking place during the First World War, the plot follows a choral group who try to bolster their ranks after most of the men go off to fight. But when their proposed choice of new choirmaster causes controversy, they will learn that music has the power to unite people.
This film is another collaboration between director Nicholas Hytner and screenwriter Alan Bennett, but unlike The History Boys and The Lady in the Van, this work isn’t based on an existing play.
Who is in The Choral?
Sony Pictures
• Ralph Fiennes as Dr Henry Guthrie
• Roger Allam as Alderman Bernard Duxbury
• Mark Addy as Joe Fytton
• Alun Armstrong as Herbert Trickett
• Lyndsey Marshal as Mrs Bishop
• Simon Russell Beale as Edward Elgar
• Jacob Dudman as Clyde
• Emily Fairn as Bella Holmes
• Robert Emms as Robert Horner
What did critics say about The Choral?
Sony Pictures
The period drama was generally praised by critics and viewers alike, with Rotten Tomatoes currently reporting an approval rating of 66% from 103 reviews. The audience score, meanwhile, is markedly higher at 79%.
“This bittersweet British drama plays like a WWI version of Sister Act — and that’s a good thing”, wrote The Boston Globe, while The Guardian dubbed it “impressively unsentimental” and a “quiet and consistent pleasure”.
“The Choral may not be exceptional but it is beautifully crafted and performed. The music is glorious. What more could one ask for?” wrote legendary film critic and historian Leonard Maltin, while The New York Times called it “moving”.
RogerEbert.com was also full of praise, opining: “We need the gift of new narratives to help us imagine beyond present circumstances. While The Choral may be riddled with a few too many false notes for comfort, the purity of its song and message make it a hard tune to disregard.”
Where can I watch The Choral?
Sony Pictures
The Choral has just been added to Sky Cinema and NOW, both of which require subscriptions. Sky Cinema currently costs £10 a month on top of an existing TV package, while the Cinema membership with NOW is £9.99 a month.
Other Roger Allam movies and shows you can stream now
Sony Pictures
If you want to watch Allam in his beloved role of DI Fred Thursday in Endeavour, then all nine seasons are available on ITVX. Vicious political satire The Thick of It, meanwhile, can be streamed in full on BBC iPlayer.
If you want to watch some of the actor’s big screen roles, then comic book adaptation V for Vendetta is available on Prime Video. Steve and The Wind That Shakes the Barley, both of which feature Cillian Murphy, are on Netflix and BFI Player respectively.
The Choral is streaming on Sky Cinema and NOW.
Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.
The new edition of Living Legends, a collector’s edition exploring the royal family, is here! Buy The Royals in newsagents or online.
Joe Anderton is a freelance news writer at Digital Spy, having worked there since 2016. In his time, he’s covered a host of live events and interviewed celebrities big and small. A big fan of TV and movies both mainstream and obscure, Joe also enjoys video games and in particular PlayStation. Joe currently does not use Twitter, but he only ever used it to tell people to watch the film Help! I’m a Fish.