🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Peter Cattaneo
- Genre: Drama, Comedy, Music
- Release year: 2020
- Runtime (length): 1h 52min
- IMDb rating: 6.5/10 (6.2K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 74%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Two very different women on a military base start a choir, argue about music styles, then accidentally become famous while their husbands are fighting overseas.
🍿 Military Wives: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Setting the Stage: Life on a Military Base
The film opens on a British military base as soldiers prepare for deployment to Afghanistan. The focus quickly shifts to the wives and partners left behind, highlighting the anxieties and routines of daily life while awaiting news from the front. Two women, Kate, the Colonel’s wife, and Lisa, the Sergeant Major’s wife, find themselves tasked with organizing activities to keep the spirits of the community up.

The Birth of a Choir
Faced with unenthusiastic responses to traditional activities, a suggestion to form a choir is floated. Initially met with skepticism and varying levels of singing ability, the choir slowly begins to take shape. Kate, with her classical music background, clashes with Lisa’s more contemporary and pop-oriented approach to music.

Finding Harmony, Facing Loss
As the choir progresses, the women find solace and camaraderie in their shared experiences and music. They navigate personal struggles, anxieties about their loved ones in combat, and the emotional rollercoaster of military life. The film explores themes of grief, friendship, and the power of music to heal and unite.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Kate (Kristin Scott Thomas): The Colonel’s wife, struggles with grief and initially approaches the choir with a rigid, classical style, eventually learning to connect with the other women.
- Lisa (Sharon Horgan): The Sergeant Major’s wife, organizes activities and clashes with Kate, preferring a more relaxed and modern approach to the choir.
- Annie (Emma Lowndes): A key supporting member of the choir, she grapples with the anxieties of her husband’s deployment.
- Jess (Gaby French): A shy but talented Welsh singer who becomes a vital part of the choir.
- Ruby (Lara Rossi): A tone-deaf but enthusiastic member of the choir, representing inclusivity and community spirit.
- Sarah (Amy James-Kelly): A new military wife who suggests forming the choir, highlighting the isolation felt by many.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Lisa: “That was like the incantations of a bunch of witches.” – Lisa’s humorous reaction to the initial, less-than-stellar singing at the very first choir rehearsal.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $10,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $1,318,972
- Worldwide Gross: $4,890,505
💥 Military Wives Reviews
Personal Review
I really enjoyed ‘Military Wives’! It was one of those movies that makes you laugh and cry. The performances by Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan were brilliant, and it was so relatable. I especially loved the scene where they were singing in the tunnel. It felt so authentic and real! It was a reminder about the power of friendship and community. I felt lighter with a warm glow inside after watching it!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of feel-good movies”
- “Viewers interested in stories about female empowerment”
- “Those who appreciate films about music and community”
- “Anyone seeking an emotionally resonant and uplifting story”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “The film contains themes of grief, loss, and anxiety related to war and military deployment. Some scenes may be emotionally challenging for sensitive viewers. No graphic violence or explicit content.”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “Military Wives offers a heartfelt look at the strength found in community. Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan deliver strong performances as the leaders of a choir that transforms the lives of women on a military base. The film balances humor and emotion effectively, making it an uplifting experience.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “While somewhat predictable, Military Wives wins audiences over with its sincerity. The performances are excellent, and the film successfully captures the emotional challenges faced by military families. It’s a feel-good movie with a powerful message about the importance of togetherness.
- Metacritic: “The film is carried by the brilliant acting between Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan. While the premise is not entirely original, the script balances humour and tragedy in a manner that avoids superficiality. A heart-warming choice to consider
Audience Reactions
Emotional depth and relatable characters moved many viewers.: The performances by Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan were widely praised for their authenticity and chemistry.
The soundtrack was noted as a memorable movie highlight.: The heartwarming story and themes of friendship resonated with a broad audience.
Overall Consensus: Military Wives is a heartwarming and relatable film that resonates with viewers through its strong performances, emotional depth, and themes of friendship and community. While predictable, its sincerity and feel-good nature make it a worthwhile watch.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film is inspired by the BBC documentary series, ‘The Choir: Military Wives’, which followed Gareth Malone’s efforts to form choirs on military bases.”
- “Over 75 military wives choirs have been formed since the original BBC series aired, and they are now a registered charity.”
- “The final scenes, where the choir sings at the Festival of Remembrance, were filmed at the Royal Albert Hall in London.”
🖥️ How to Watch Military Wives?
As of [TODAY’S DATE], “Military Wives” is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. While it may not be available on subscription-based services like Netflix or Hulu, it’s widely accessible through transactional video-on-demand services.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Military Wives, you might like these similar films:
- The Full Monty (1997): Directed by the same director, Peter Cattaneo, it shares a similar heartwarming and uplifting story about a group of ordinary people coming together.
- Calendar Girls (2003): Another British film about women finding empowerment and camaraderie through an unconventional project, dealing with themes of loss and friendship.
- Brassed Off (1996): Set against the backdrop of a struggling mining community, this film showcases the power of music and community spirit in the face of adversity.
- Sing (2016): A more modern animated movie with heartwarming scenes, focusing on the joy of singing and community spirit through music.
🛒 Military Wives Related Products
- Military Wives: The Official Soundtrack: Relive the emotional journey of the film with the official soundtrack. Includes the powerful original songs performed by the military wives choir, as well as tracks by Robbie Williams and other artists featured in the movie.
- Keep Calm and Sing On – Military Wives Inspired T-Shirt: Show your support for the military wives and their inspiring story with this stylish t-shirt. Made from high-quality material, it’s comfortable and perfect for everyday wear. Features the empowering slogan ‘Keep Calm and Sing On’.
- Military Wives Charity Donation: Support the real-life Military Wives Choirs with a donation to their charity. Help them continue their important work in providing support and community for military wives around the world.
- Military Wives DVD: Own a piece of this inspirational story. Enjoy it with the whole family.
🎧 Soundtrack
Military Wives features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Wherever You Are” – performed by Military Wives Choir
- “Angels” – performed by Robbie Williams
- “Only You” – performed by The Flying Pickets
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, ‘Military Wives’ is inspired by the real-life Military Wives Choirs, a network of choirs formed on British military bases. The film draws inspiration from the experiences of these women and the power of music in bringing them together.
Filming locations included Royal Albert Hall in London for the final performance scenes and various military bases in the United Kingdom.
The song performed at the Royal Albert Hall is an original composition incorporating excerpts from letters written by the wives to their partners serving in Afghanistan. This song reflects their personal emotions and experiences.
🔥 Bonus Content
Military Wives argue and understand the importance of being together
Ever wonder how the military wives in the movie really bond? This scene shows a raw argument followed by genuine connection. I think you’ll find it really touching and relatable!
The Choir | Military Wives Ep. 1 / 3 Pt. 1 / 4
Did you know ‘Military Wives’ was inspired by a real choir? This documentary clip shows the very beginning of that choir and it’s amazing to see where the movie’s inspiration started!
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