Director Michael Bay says Churchill is film ‘hero’ after Nazi flags at legendary PM’s birthplace sparks anger
The Transformers director said his decision to turn Blenheim Palace into Nazi HQ would make sense when audiences saw the film
Hollywood director Michael Bay assured war veterans yesterday Sir Winston Churchill would be a hero in his next Transformers film after turning Blenheim Palace into a Nazi HQ.
Old soldiers exploded with anger after The Sun revealed how giant swastikas were draped over the Oxfordshire stately home, birthplace of Britain's revered German-slaying WWII prime minister.
The 11,500 acre estate will become Adolf Hitler's base in The Last Knight - the fifth in the movie series due out in June - complete with strutting SS stormtroopers and alsation guard dogs.
Bay, 51, on another Transformers set in nearby Oxford, yesterday confirmed he had "heard about" the furore of the 'Nazi HQ' less than a mile from Sir Winston's St Martin's Church grave.
The Californian added: "You didn't have the pleasure of reading the script so you have no idea what it's about. Mr Churchill is a hero in the movie.
"And he would be smiling if he could see the scene."
Asked why they would be smiling at the swastika-covered 18th century home, he added: "Coz' of the scene, when you understand it and see the movie. You guys are just surmising and making your own judgements."
Bay - filming with Anthony Hopkins - added: "When you see the movie you'll understand. I, probably more than any director in the world, have shot more veterans and more active military men and women in my movies.
"I would do nothing to disrespect veterans."
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The plot centres on a successful Operation Sea Lion, Hitler's secret 1940 plan to invade Britain. The Fuhrer had taunted Churchill by stating he would make Blenheim his base.
Tony Hayes, chief executive of the UK's Veteran's Association, had blasted: "This is taking the Mickey - anyone would think Hitler won the war.
"There are not many left who fought from 1939-45, but they will be appalled and disgusted by this.
"Not only does it disrespect them, but it disrespects the great man himself, Sir Winston."