Ministry of Dirty War: This Crazy Anecdote Revealed by One of the Film’s Actors

Ministry of Dirty War is the evil film of the moment that should be exclusively on Prime Video. Directed by Guy Ritchie, it tells the story of the first special forces organization created during World War II by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and a small group of military officials, including author Ian Fleming.

This secret warfare unit, made up of a motley crew of thugs and snipers, completes a daring mission against the Nazis using highly unconventional and thoroughly “ungentlemanly” combat techniques.

Unexpected link!

If Henry Cavilla is the headliner, the film also features famous actors and actresses. Among them, Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride, Twister…), who lends his qualities to Brigadier “M” Gubbins, better known as Sir Colin Gubbins.

The latter would be headed by the SEO (Special Operations Executive or Ungentlemanly Ministry of War), an elite group mentioned in the film, at the behest of Churchill himself. When we caught up with him last March, the 63-year-old actor revealed quite a bit to us: He’s in close contact with the former SOE member…

“My grandfather was part of this ultra-secret unit. It was picked up by the person I play on screen. He landed in Albania in 1943. He created a sort of resistance brigade to fight the Italians and Germans. This is a film that I am particularly interested in and that is connected to my history.”

His grandfather is none other than Neil “Billy” McLean, who was decorated on March 23, 1944 for his mission in Albania. Although he did not participate in Operation Postmaster mentioned in the Ministry of Dirty War, he helped the Allies win the war.

A famous actor was part of this elite group!

But Cary Elvis’s grandfather isn’t the only person he knows who was recruited by the SOE, as he explained:

“I was working Christopher Lee A few years ago and he explained to me that he was also doing missions within this special elite. We were shooting a film about the Pope in Rome, and he was telling me how they were taught to kill people with a knife… but without noise.”

Indeed, Lee (Lord of the Rings) would take part in various operations, including in Yugoslavia. It is in this country that he will meet Josip Broz, known as “Tito”, the future leader of the country, then at the head of the communist resistance. They later became friends.

Ministry of Dirty War, watch on Prime Video.