"Pressure:" Must-See Movie

Andrew Scott as meteorologist James Stagg

As a meteorologist, I never thought a movie about a weather forecast could be so good. I rate it A+. A quick scan of my movie reviews back to the start of the blog do not reveal any other movie rated that highly. Others evidently agree

Pressure is the story about the weather forecasts (yes, plural) leading up to D-Day -- perhaps the most important forecast in the history of the world. The title is a play on the word referring to both high and low pressure systems on a weather map and the pressure on the meteorologists. 

Meteorologist Dr. James Stagg (well portrayed by Andrew Scott) used synoptic meteorology forecast techniques much like we use today; versus Dr. Irving Krick who used a technique called analogs. I wrote about this controversy early in the history of the blog (caution spoilers!). This controversy continues today. I explain in the "spoilers" (below).

Krick was world famous because of the accurate forecast he made for David O. Selznick for the "Burning of Atlanta" scene in Gone With the Wind. He met Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh. Dr. Stagg was pretty much an unknown and had the typical introverted "meteorologist personality." 

The pressure on Staggs (the chief meteorologist) was incredible. Having had days when I was sick to my stomach driving into the office because of the life and death nature of a forecast, the stakes were far higher going into D-Day. I can't even imagine what he -- and his pregnant wife -- went through. 

The movie is a gripping portrayal of the personalities involved and the casting is great with one exception. As I remember Dwight Eisenhower as President and I have seen many movies of him during WWII. I found Brenden Fraser miscast in the role of General Eisenhower. Tom Selleck portrayed "Ike" much more effectively in Ike: Countdown to D-Day. 

Don't miss this one! See it in the theatre. Make sure you watch it to the very end for the Eisenhower/Kennedy comment (just before the credits roll). 

Spoilers

Years ago, I independently researched this amazing historical event. 

The movie begins, "This is a True Story." That is mostly correct but there are several dramatic scenes that just didn't happen. For example, Dr. Staggs' wife was pregnant during the runup to D-Day but the baby was not born until November. 

There is also no indication Eisenhower had a shouting fit with the meteorologists. 

When they are talking about "Force 6 and Force 7" winds, they are referring to the Beaufort Scale. 

AI weather forecasting is, so far, essentially analogs. Research comparing the AI forecasts versus the highly computer-intensive synoptic weather models show the synoptic weather models are superior in rare or extreme situations.