"When Lions Roared" is a bizarre miniseries that on the one hand features quality performances from the main cast, while on the other hand suffering from poor production value and inexplicable storytelling choices. John Lithgow, Bob Hoskins, and especially Michael Caine do a good job portraying complex historical figures and for the most part I enjoyed seeing them bring the Allied leaders to life. But the performances aren't enough to make up for bad sets and costumes that look obviously fake, even for a 1990s miniseries. The unnecessary usage of green screen is jarring; often the series looks more like an SNL than an Emmy-worthy drama.
But worst of all was the strange decision to have Churchill, FDR, and Stalin somehow interact via split screen - while Churchill is in London he looks to his right and starts speaking to Stalin, who is shown in Moscow. Then at the far end of the screen Roosevelt pops up and he starts speaking to both Churchill and Stalin - even though he's halfway around the world! There are equally strange moments when FDR and Churchill suddenly stare off into the distance, and then the screen splits and Stalin starts speaking to them directly from Moscow - even though he's in another country! I found this choice distracting and silly. Characters break the fourth wall and the portrayal of Roosevelt is not historically accurate: after the attack on Pearl Harbor is shown to be upset that America has entered the war, while in reality FDR had wanted to enter the war on the side of the Allies and he'd spent years preparing the United States for just that. Overall "When Lions Roared" contains good performances but on the whole it's poorly made. 5/10
But worst of all was the strange decision to have Churchill, FDR, and Stalin somehow interact via split screen - while Churchill is in London he looks to his right and starts speaking to Stalin, who is shown in Moscow. Then at the far end of the screen Roosevelt pops up and he starts speaking to both Churchill and Stalin - even though he's halfway around the world! There are equally strange moments when FDR and Churchill suddenly stare off into the distance, and then the screen splits and Stalin starts speaking to them directly from Moscow - even though he's in another country! I found this choice distracting and silly. Characters break the fourth wall and the portrayal of Roosevelt is not historically accurate: after the attack on Pearl Harbor is shown to be upset that America has entered the war, while in reality FDR had wanted to enter the war on the side of the Allies and he'd spent years preparing the United States for just that. Overall "When Lions Roared" contains good performances but on the whole it's poorly made. 5/10