'Dunkirk' Official Announcement Teaser

A movie critic who branded Christopher Nolan's war epic, Dunkirk, an excuse for "men to celebrate maleness" has faced widespread criticism.

Mehera Bonner's scathing appraisal published in fashion magazine Marie Claire on 28 July had claimed that the film− which stars Harry Styles, Tom Hardy and Cillian Murphy− was another testosterone-filled retread.

"My main issue with Dunkirk is that it's so clearly designed for men to man-out over", she wrote. "And look, it's not like I need every movie to have 'strong female leads. Wonder Woman can probably tide me over for at least a year, and I understand that this war was dominated by brave male soldiers."

She continued: "Dunkirk felt like an excuse for men to celebrate maleness — which apparently they don't get to do enough."

Bonner went on to advise Nolan that he should have considered making a film about women or "any other marginalised group" rather than tell the story of thousands of Allied troops being forced onto the beaches of Dunkirk after the invasion of France by Nazi Germany.

Marie Claire added fuel to the flames by tweeting a link to the review along with the caption: "@dunkirkmovie feels like an excuse for men to celebrate maleness-and don't they get to do that enough already?"

Bonner has since been castigated on Twitter for the comments with Light-Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion Andrew Tate branding her a "moron". He hit back after reading the offending review: "Or it's a historical movie about people who died for your freedom you selfish moron."

Tate wasn't not the only person that toon issue with the review. User KYginger wrote: "Considering what those MEN accomplished and what those MEN sacrificed - I, a woman, would gladly celebrate their "maleness" every damn day."

Karen Davis Hill told her the "review spits on the heroism and self-sacrifice of every man on that beach".

Twitter user Deborah Hargreaves posted a photograph of the Dunkirk Town Cemetery in Belgium where 793 Second World War burials lie along with a caption laced with sarcasm. "Men celebrating their maleness," she wrote.

Despite raking in an estimated $45.6 million at the box office on its opening weekend, Nolan has been accused of whitewashing an important part of history. John Broich, associate professor of history at Case Western Reserve University, said he was disappointed with the missed opportunity to highlight the "significant contribution" made by Indian soldiers during the battle.

"Their appearance in the film would have provided a good reminder of how utterly central the role of the Indian Army was in the war," he told Slate. "Their service meant the difference between victory and defeat."

Watch Dunkirk trailer here: