In 1943 during World War 2, British Intelligence devise one of the most audacious acts of deception known to man. In order to divert German military support from their target of Sicily they drop a corpse into the ocean containing secret documents that state their target is in fact Greece. 

Operation Mincemeat is the sort of perfectly oiled film making machinery that smacks of prestige picture whilst still being a crowd pleaser. Its director John Madden is famous for the likes of Mrs. Brown, Shakespeare In Love and the Exotic Marigold Hotel films. Its stars include British acting royalty such as Colin Firth and Penelope Wilton whilst including many familiar faces that you will know but can not quite name. It even features Ian Fleming (brilliantly played by Johnny Flynn) as a key character and possibly progenitor of the idea for the ruse. 

The plot follows Ewen Montagu (Colin Firth) and Charles Cholmondeley (Matthew Macfadyen) as they put together their team and come up with the intricate details that will help sell their scheme. Jean Leslie (Kelly Macdonald) joins the team as the face of their fake soldier’s beau whilst Hester Leggett (Penelope Wilton) provides the letter that is supposed to be from her in the soldier’s pocket.  Ian Fleming (Johnny Flynn) provides some fun when he explains why he refers to Admiral John Godfrey (Jason Isaacs) as M and picks up a watch whilst in Q division. The recurring joke about every intelligence officer seemingly writing a book is also one of the best facets of the film. 

Whilst you are along for the ride you will be thoroughly wrapped up in the drama and tension. But once over it is not something I envisage you would seek out for multiple revisits. 

On the whole the film plays it perfectly safe and would fit alongside the likes of The King’s Speech and The Imitation Game as quintessential examples of British historical films.