Lee, the directorial feature from award-winning cinematographer Ellen Kuras, portrays a pivotal decade in the life of American war correspondent and photographer Lee Miller (Kate Winslet). Miller’s singular talent and unbridled tenacity resulted in some of the 20th century’s most indelible images of war, including an iconic photo of Miller herself, posing defiantly in Hitler’s private bathtub.
The story kicks off in the late 1930s, as Hitler rises to power in Germany. Miller (Winslet) leaves her artistic circle in France and heads to London, swept off her feet by art dealer Roland Penrose (Alexander Skarsgård). Their passionate romance is soon overshadowed by the outbreak of war in Europe. Already a celebrated photographer, Miller lands assignments for British Vogue but quickly grows frustrated with the limitations imposed on female photographers.
As Hitler’s regime spreads across Europe, Miller becomes increasingly determined to break free from these restrictions. With support from her friend and editor Audrey Withers (Andrea Riseborough), she overcomes significant obstacles to reach the frontlines of World War II. Driven to capture the truth, she documents the immense suffering and horrific loss of life caused by Hitler’s atrocities, aiming to reveal the harsh realities of war to Vogue’s readers.
After enduring the siege of Saint-Malo and capturing one of the first uses of Napalm on film, Miller teams up with Life Magazine photographer David E. Scherman (Andy Samberg). Their friendship and partnership result in a series of iconic photos that continue to shape our understanding of the war. Miller’s tenacity and fearlessness enable them to penetrate deep into the conflict, often navigating military bureaucracy with her sharp wit.
The film follows their daring journey behind enemy lines as the Nazi empire collapses. They bribe their way into Hitler’s Munich apartment, staging the famous photo of Miller in Hitler’s bathtub on the day of his suicide and just after the liberation of Dachau concentration camp. They are among the first photographers to document the liberation, producing images that remain some of the most compelling evidence of Hitler’s crimes against humanity.
Miller’s work showcases her deep empathy for women and the voiceless victims of war, capturing both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit. The film highlights her relentless pursuit of truth, a quest that comes at a significant personal cost, forcing her to confront a traumatic secret from her past.
