Jeremy Irons is the spitting image of former Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in new images from his upcoming Netflix thriller Munich: The Edge Of War.

Based on Robert Harris’ 2017 book, the film sees Harris play the part of the politician during a famous trip to Munich, Germany. This was just months before Europe fell into war. 

New photos from the film reveal that Jeremy was under extreme scrutiny throughout his visit to Canada. Most Cabinet members are convinced it is a recipe disaster.

Dark: Jeremy Irons is the spitting image of former Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in new images from his upcoming Netflix thriller Munich: The Edge Of War

Dark: Jeremy Irons is the spitting image of former Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in new images from his upcoming Netflix thriller Munich: The Edge Of War

The photographs show Jeremy wearing one of Chamberlain’s unique handlebar moustaches as he converses with fellow politicians.

These include Sir Nevile Henderson (Robert Bathurst) and Sir Horace Wilson (Alex Jennings), as well as civil servant Hugh Legat (George MacKay).

Chamberlain can be also been seen on radio broadcast reiterating hope to Britons, even as war still has not begun.

Dark: The film sees the actor take on the role of the politician during a notorious trip to meet Adolf Hitler

Tense: Chamberlain is pictured in 1939

Dark: The film sees the actor (left) take on the role of the politician (right in 1939) in the midst of a notorious trip to meet Adolf Hitler in Munich in German

Heart-stopping: The film focuses on British civil servant Hugh Legat (right played by George MacKay) and diplomat Paul von Hartmann (left played by Jannis Niewohner)

Heart-stopping: The film focuses on British civil servant Hugh Legat (right played by George MacKay) and diplomat Paul von Hartmann (left played by Jannis Niewohner)

Danger? One image shows Jeremy speaking to his fellow MPs in Parliament, ahead of a trip which was supposed to bring 'peace in our time.' only for Germany to begin war months later

Danger? A danger? Only for Germany to start war several months later

Another photo shows him speaking with his peers in Parliament. This is possibly the famous moment when he declared “peace in our times” after having allegedly signed an agreement to help Hitler.

The upcoming movie is adapted from Robert Harris’ critically-acclaimed 2017 spy thriller of the same name and is set to be released on Netflix in January 2022.

Harris’ 12th thriller novel documents former British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s notorious ‘peace for our time’ trip to Munich, Germany, in September 1938 to meet Adolf Hitler. 

This portrays him in an even more positive light than his opponents who favor appeasement. It casts him as a powerful, almost heroic figure.

At odds: Civil servant Legat was tasked with acquring a secret document revealing Hitler's true plans for his country, during Chamberlain's trip to Germany

A strange task: Legat, civil servant, was assigned to acquire a secret document about Hitler’s real plans for Germany. This happened during Chamberlain’s trip.

Chamberlain, while Jeremy is undoubtedly the movie’s most prominent star isn’t the main point.

Munich follows Hugh Legat, a private secretary to Chamberlain, and Paul von Hartmann, who works at the German Foreign Ministry and is a secret member of a resistance group against Hitler. 

The two men were close friends at Oxford and haven’t spoken in years, but with Europe on the brink of a second war and an emergency meeting in Munich, Hugh and Paul’s paths cross once again as they navigate political subterfuge.  

Dramatic: Chamberlain's Germany trip ultimately proved pointless, as Hitler invaded Poland just one year later, kick-starting the Second World War

Dramatic: Chamberlain’s Germany trip was ultimately futile as Hitler invaded Poland one year later. This triggered the Second World War.

Speaking out: Chamberlain can also be seen delivering a radio broadcast, reassuring Britons there is always 'hope' while the war is yet to begin

Speaking out: Chamberlain can also be seen delivering a radio broadcast, reassuring Britons there is always ‘hope’ while the war is yet to begin

1917 actor George MacKay will play the role of Hugh Legat with Inglourious Basterds actor Martin Wuttke playing Adolf Hitler.

Other stars involved in the project include The Crown’s Erin Doherty and Allied’s August Diehl.    

What happened in Munich 1938? 

Neville Chamberlain was a former British prime minister who traveled to Munich in September 1938 in order to meet Adolf Hitler on a peace for all’ trip. 

They met at the famous Munich conference, a meeting between Britain, Germany and Italy. During this conference, the European powers decided that Germany could de facto take control of Czechoslovakia.

Chamberlain returned to Britain the next day to receive rapturous applause as he landed at Heston Airport, West London. He waved the agreement and walked away.

He said that the document represented the desire of both our peoples not to be at war again.

Just one year later, in words that would be haunting him, he said: “My good friends. For the second time ever in our history, an British Prime Minister has returned to Germany bringing peace and honor. It is peace for our times, I think it.

Chamberlain mistakenly thought that the agreement would end Germany’s plans to expand across Europe.

Hitler didn’t keep his promises and rejected the agreement a year later.

On September 1, 1939, he invaded Poland. Two days later, France and Britain declared war against Nazi Germany and the Second World War was launched.

Winston Churchill was elected to succeed Mr Chamberlain, who was then forced to resign. His death occurred in November 1940.

 

Talking about Irons taking on the role of Chamberlain, author Harris said in a statement: ‘It’s great to see an actor of Jeremy Irons’ stature playing Neville Chamberlain. 

“This movie will mark the first major film to go beyond Winston Churchill’s cult and show Chamberlain in an even more sympathetic light.” 

Harris was a BBC journalist and wrote about politics. He then created his first novel Fatherland (1992), which was turned into a film. 

Kate Winslet starred in the next episode, Enigma. The television series about the next book, Archangel was starring Daniel Craig. It focused on modern Russia. 

Harris’ stories have been set in London, Rome, France, and 19th century France. He also wrote a Trilogy centered around Cicero, an ancient Roman politician.  

Neville Chamberlain was a former British prime minister who traveled to Munich in September 1938 in order to meet Adolf Hitler on a peace for all’ trip. 

These two leaders met at Munich Conference – a conference between Britain and Germany, Italy, France, and France. It was during this meeting that the European powers concluded Germany could assume de facto control over Czechoslovakia.

Chamberlain returned to Britain the next day to receive rapturous applause as he landed at Heston Airport, West London. He waved the agreement and walked away.

He explained that the document symbolized the wish of both our countries not to be at war with each other again.

Just one year later, in words that would be haunting him, he said: “My good friends. For the second-time in our history, a British Prime minister has returned to Germany bringing peace and honor. It is peace for our times, I think it. 

Chamberlain mistakenly thought that the agreement would end Germany’s plans to expand across Europe.

Hitler broke the promise and referred to the agreement as a “scrap of papers” a year later.

On September 1, 1939, he invaded Poland. Two days later, France and Britain declared war against Nazi Germany and the Second World War was launched.

Chamberlain had to quit in May 1940, and Winston Churchill succeeded him. His death occurred in November 1940. 

Munich will release in select theaters in the United States of America in December, and via Netflix beginning January 21. 

EXCLUSIVE – ‘The stupid old man with an umbrella who saved Britain’: Robert Harris, author of the new Netflix movie Munich claims that Neville Chamberlain was a convenient scapegoat in WWII… however his appeasement deal to Hitler gave UK time and energy to prepare for war.

Harry Howard is the History Correspondent for MailOnline. 

  • Hitler was given the Sudetenland area of Czechoslovakia by the Munich Agreement. 
  • It was hoped that this concession would allow Europe to be free from armed conflict, after many months of tensions 
  • Hitler made a mess of the deal by annexeing Czechoslovakia to his empire and then invading Poland the next year. 
  • Chamberlain, who tried to appease Hitler with a deal that failed spectacularly, was mocked domestically 
  • Exclusively speaking to MailOnline Mr Harris stated that Chamberlain’s policies were’shrewd’, and that they bought Britain time

Right up until he shot himself on April 30, 1945, the defeated Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler regretted the deal he struck with British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in September 1938.

The famous Munich Agreement, which was also signed by France and Italy, ceded the Sudetenland region of what was then Czechoslovakia to Hitler in the hope that the concession would be enough to avoid Europe-wide armed conflict after months of tensions caused by Germany’s territorial ambitions. 

But the deal also destroyed Hitler’s plans, because he had been preparing to use the issue of the Sudetenland – which had been taken from Germany in the Treaty of Versailles after the First World War –  as a justification for war. 

Instead, the pact forced him to hold back and he was left so furious that it is claimed he said soon after Chamberlain had returned to Britain: ‘If ever that silly old man comes interfering here again with his umbrella, I’ll kick him downstairs and jump on his stomach in front of the photographers.’

Whilst Chamberlain told the British public afterwards that he believed it was ‘peace in our time’, Hitler rode roughshod over the deal the following year by annexing all of Czechoslovakia in March and invading Poland on September 1.

Right up until he shot himself on April 30, 1945, the defeated Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler regretted the deal he struck with British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in September 1938. The famous Munich Agreement, which was also signed by France and Italy, ceded the Sudetenland region of what was then Czechoslovakia to Hitler in the hope that the concession would be enough to avoid Europe-wide armed conflict. Above: Chamberlain holds his umbrella as he stands next to Hitler whilst meeting German general Wilhelm Keitel in Munich

The deal Adolf Hitler made with Neville Chamberlain, British Prime Minister in September 1938 was a regrettable one. Hitler shot himself April 30, 1945. France and Italy signed the Munich Agreement. It gave Hitler the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia, then Czechoslovakia, as a concession to stop Europe from becoming a world-wide conflict. Chamberlain, holding his umbrella while he meets Hitler in Munich

The last act of aggression was what finally broke the resolve even for peace-loving Chamberlain who, on September 3, declared war against Germany.

Chamberlain, who tried to appease Hitler by negotiating a deal with him that failed spectacularly, was mocked domestically and his name remains synonymous with toxic appeasement policies. 

Now, upcoming Netflix drama Munich – The Edge of War, which is an adaptation of a novel by English historical fiction writer Robert Harris, paints Chamberlain in a more sympathetic light.

Exclusively speaking to MailOnline Thursday, ahead of the film’s January release, Harris stated that while it’s a convenient way to make fun of Chamberlain’s actions, Britain was able to rearm because his Munich Agreement gave him a delay in war. 

He stated that Chamberlain had left Britain with “hundreds” of Spitfires, and support of Radar’s air defense system after he was resigned from his post as Prime Minister in May 1939.

Hitler was left so furious that it is claimed he said soon after Chamberlain had returned to Britain: 'If ever that silly old man comes interfering here again with his umbrella, I'll kick him downstairs and jump on his stomach in front of the photographers'. Above: Hitler and Chamberlain pose for a photograph in September 1938

Hitler became so angry that he claimed that Chamberlain told him, shortly after Chamberlain returned to Britain, that if Chamberlain came back with an umbrella again, he would kick Chamberlain downstairs and get on the photographer’s stomach. Above: Chamberlain posing for a picture in September 1938

Now, upcoming Netflix drama Munich ¿ The Edge of War, which is an adaptation of a novel by English historical fiction writer Robert Harris, paints Chamberlain in a more sympathetic light. Above: English actor Jeremy Irons is seen in character as Chamberlain next to Hitler, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and French PM Daladier

Now, upcoming Netflix drama Munich – The Edge of War, which is an adaptation of a novel by English historical fiction writer Robert Harris, paints Chamberlain in a more sympathetic light. Above: Jeremy Irons plays Chamberlain alongside Hitler, Benito Mussolini (Italian dictator) and the French PM Daladier 

The drama was set in the days leading up to the Munich Agreement signing. It stars Jeremy Irons playing Chamberlain, and George Mackay portraying Hugh Legat, his fictional civil servant aide.

Legat (and his former friend Paul von Hartman, a German diplomat) travel to Munich for this conference. However, they end up becoming entangled in a web full of political subterfuge.

Hitler, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and the then French prime minister Édouard Daladier are all depicted in both the novel – which is just called Munich – and the new Netflix drama.

Trailer released earlier this month shows von Hartman confronting Hitler. Hitler demands “Where are your going?” He tries to walk out of the dining hall at formal dinner.

Also, the film recreates key moments at the conference including when Hitler, Chamberlain Mussolini, and Daladier are posed together in a photo.

Harris stated that his opinion on the agreement was that Hitler was lying and that he got all he wanted without firing a gun from an appeasing prime minister.

“In fact, history strongly suggests that Hitler wanted Czechoslovakia to be invaded. He didn’t want just the Sudetenland; he wanted Czechoslovakia to end.

Whilst Chamberlain told the British public after the Munich Agreement was signed that he believed it was 'peace for our time', Hitler rode roughshod over the deal the following year by annexing all of Czechoslovakia in March and invading Poland on September 1

Chamberlain had told the British public that after the Munich Agreement was signed, he thought it was peace for our times. Hitler, on the other hand, was not pleased with the agreement and annexed Czechoslovakia to his territory in March. He invaded Poland on September 1.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline on Thursday ahead of the film's release in January, Mr Harris said that although it is 'convenient' to scapegoat Chamberlain, the delay to war which his 'shrewd' Munich Agreement brought gave Britain vital time to rearm for when conflict did eventually come

The cover of his 2017 novel, which is called Munich

On Thursday, Harris spoke exclusively to MailOnline ahead of the release of his film in January. He stated that, although it was convenient to blame Chamberlain for the situation, Britain had vital time to prepare to fight when war did come. Right: Cover of Harris’ 2017 novel Munich

Chamberlain met his demands, but he found it difficult to comply.

He claimed that Hitler had been left “very angry” by the agreement and continued to insist until his death, weeks later, that Germany should not have entered war with Germany in September 1938.

In Harris’s novel, Hitler makes a desperate statement to Mr Harris in February 1945. He said that, if Hitler had gone to war, it would have been September 1938.

The Sudetenland was a large population of Germans. Many Brits did not have any issues with Germany taking over the territory.

Chamberlain might have struggled to persuade the British population that the decision to strike the Munich agreement that handed Germany the Sudetenland was correct if Britain went to war.

However, overwhelming support was given to Britain’s September 1939 declaration of war after Germany invaded Poland.

“So it isn’t just that.” [the Munich Agreement]Harris stated that the time it took to outfit the air force in spitfires with radar defences saved them, but it also gave us the moral edge.

Adolf Hitler greets British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain at Munich in September 1938. Chamberlain hoped that striking a deal with Hitler would avoid war

In September 1938, Adolf Hitler meets Neville Chamberlain, British Prime Minister at Munich. Chamberlain believed that a peace agreement with Hitler would prevent war.

“And, also, we had in 1939 the support of the empire and Canada, and Australia, and that we wouldn’t have had had we tried to fight September 1938. Britain would be on its own. 

He said, “I understand why everybody has placed so much blame upon Chamberlain. It is very convenient,” he continued.

The policy of Chamberlain was an utter failure. He said that everything he believed was gone. The effort was noble in many aspects and very shrewd.

“What is the use of repeating the same story?” Churchill understood that Chamberlain had to be bad in order to make him look great.

The country was strongly protected by ‘Chamberlain. After guaranteeing Poland, he did declare war upon Hitler.

“It’s important not to repeat comfortable myths, but to see the truth.

Winston Churchill, Chamberlain’s PM replacement, was one the most vocal critics of Chamberlain’s appeasement strategy.

British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, Adolf Hilter and his interpreter Dr. Paul Schmidt meet in Berchtesgaden, Germany

British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and Adolf Hilter meet at Berchtesgaden in Germany.

Churchill advised him after he praised the 1938 Munich Agreement’s success that he could choose between war and dishonour, but he chose the former. Hence, he would have to go to war.

Chamberlain’s demise as PM occurred after failure to win the Allied Campaign against Hitler’s ravaging forces.

Chamberlain, who was still the leader of the Conservative Party when Churchill took control in Downing Street in May 10th, resigned as Lord President of Council and assumed the role of his rival in the War Cabinet’s War Cabinet.

But, Labour and Liberal Party both attacked his continued presence as a member of Government. They wanted him to quit frontline politics.

Fierce criticism came from the press, with a polemic titled Guilty Men –written by a trio of journalists which included future Labour leader Michael Foot – selling more than 200,000 copies.

Chamberlain was and his government were accused by the group of having failed to adequately prepare for possible war with Germany.

Chamberlain was to be removed from the list, along with other ministers, who were responsible for Britain’s missteps during the war’s first month.

But, critics were wrong. In July 1940 surgeons found that Chamberlain had terminal bowel cancer.

Chamberlain left Government in the wake of suffering from severe back pain. His doctors initially kept this information secret.

Although his official resignation from the Council as Lord President was on October 3rd, he told Churchill that he wanted to step down in September.

On November 9, Chamberlain died and Churchill paid tribute in the House of Commons.