Ralph Fiennes and Roger Allam’s “poignant” Yorkshire-set drama is now available to watch at home

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I just finished watching The Choral, and it’s really stuck with me! It’s a beautiful, moving drama with Ralph Fiennes and Roger Allam. The story is set in Yorkshire back in 1916, and it follows Fiennes’ character as he takes on the job of leading the local Ramsden Choral Society. It was in cinemas recently, but now you can finally watch it from the comfort of your own home!

Okay, so the story starts with basically the entire male section of this really enthusiastic local choir signing up to fight in the war. That leaves their director, this super strict and determined guy named Dr. Guthrie (played by Fiennes), scrambling to rebuild the choir with a bunch of teenagers – boys and girls – to keep things going.

As the young men learn to sing and experience first love, they also face the looming reality of being drafted into military service.

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Directed by Nicholas Hytner and written by Alan Bennett, the film features a strong British cast including Mark Addy, Emily Fairn, Alun Armstrong, Fenella Woolgar, Robert Emms, Ron Cook, and Simon Russell Beale.

I was so excited when The Choral finally hit theaters last November, and now it’s even better – you can finally watch it at home! It’s available to buy or rent on Prime Video, Apple TV, and other platforms.

The film has received generally mixed reviews since its release. It currently holds a 66% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 44 reviews, and The Sun praised it as “poignant and heart-warming.”

According to The Observer, Ralph Fiennes gives a nuanced and compelling performance, standing out as a highlight in a film that occasionally feels overly theatrical.

According to Time Out, the film is well-made, featuring a strong performance by Ralph Fiennes as the complex choir leader. However, it doesn’t quite deliver a satisfying conclusion.

According to The Guardian, this film offers a subtle and consistently enjoyable experience. While not overly emotional, it’s a moving story that relies on Elgar’s music to convey its deeper feelings, leaving the audience with a sense of warmth, gentle sadness, and realistic understanding.

According to The Wrap, the film, while attempting to explore profound themes of life, death, and music, feels rigid and surprisingly dull. Even the strong vocal performances don’t manage to make a significant impact.

The Choral is now available to buy or rent on Prime Video, AppleTV and more.

As a total TV fan, I’m so excited about the Good Housekeeping Christmas TV Guide! It’s got listings for a full 14 days of Christmas shows, so I can plan all my festive viewing. And at just £4.75, it’s a steal! I’m grabbing a copy from Morrisons (or any good magazine shop) right away!

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2025-12-22 23:49