The Choral, the "poignant" drama starring Ralph Fiennes and Roger Allam is now available to watch at home following its recent release in cinemas. Set in Yorkshire in 1916, the film follows Fiennes as he is recruited to become the new chorus master of the Ramsden Choral Society.
The synopsis reads: "The chorus master and most of the men of the ambitious local Choral Society have volunteered for the front, so under the direction of the demanding, driven Dr. Guthrie (Fiennes), the Choral recruits a crop of teenage boys and girls.
"Together they discover the joys of singing and the urgency of desire as the new boys come to terms with their imminent conscription into the army."
Directed by Nicholas Hytner and penned by Alan Bennett, the film stars a host of British talent including Mark Addy, Emily Fairn, Alun Armstrong, Fenella Woolgar, Robert Emms, Ron Cook and Simon Russell Beale.
Released in cinemas back in November, The Choral is now available to buy or rent on Prime Video, Apple TV and more.
Related: Best streaming services
What to Read Next
Following its release, the film received mixed reviews from critics and currently has a 66% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 44 reviews, with The Sun calling The Choral "poignant and heart-warming stuff".
"[Ralph Fiennes] does at least deliver a layered performance: he’s a beacon of class in a picture that veers dangerously towards the am-dram end of the spectrum," penned The Observer.
Related: Kristen Stewart and Timothy Spall's "supremely brilliant" drama gets new UK streaming home
Time Out said of the film: "With Ralph Fiennes gravely essaying the controversial choirmaster at its heart, it does a lovely job of swerving the obvious notes but misplaces its stirring crescendo."
"A quiet and consistent pleasure: an unsentimental but deeply felt drama which subcontracts actual passion to the music of Elgar and leaves us with a heartbeat of wit, poignancy and common sense," wrote The Guardian.
The Wrap said: "Despite gesturing towards big questions surrounding life, death and music, it’s a stiff, oddly lifeless film where even its beautiful singing manages to fall flat."
The Choral is now available to buy or rent on Prime Video, Apple TV and more.
Love TV? Get your Christmas viewing sorted with the Good Housekeeping Christmas TV Guide, featuring 14 days of Christmas TV listings, plus everything you need for the ultimate festive viewing experience! Just £4.75 – available now at Morrisons, TG Jones and all other good magazine retailers.
Reporter, Digital Spy
Harriet is a freelance news writer specialising in TV and movies at Digital Spy.
A horror enthusiast, she joined Digital Spy after working on her own horror website, reviewing films and focusing largely on feminism in the genre.
In her spare time, Harriet paints and produces mixed-media art. She graduated from the University of Kingston with a BA in fine art, where she specialised in painting. She also has an MA in journalism from Birkbeck University.
