Lee

In 1937, Lee Miller, a former fashion model and aspiring photographer, meets Roland Penrose while living a free-spirited life in Europe. Their instant connection leads to a romantic relationship that significantly impacts her life and career.

After their relationship develops, Lee and Roland relocate to London, where she takes a job with Vogue magazine. This period marks a gradual shift in her career as she begins to delve deeper into photography, especially during tumultuous times.

As World War II escalates, Lee is restricted by the UK's policies forbidding women from serving close to combat zones. However, following the United States' entry into the war in late 1941, she is deployed as a war correspondent alongside photojournalist David Scherman, marking a pivotal moment in her life.

During her early work for Vogue, Lee captures the everyday resilience of Britons during the Blitz, the sustained bombing campaign over London. Her images reflect the spirit of the people, showcasing their struggles and survival amidst chaos.

In June 1944, during the Battle of Saint-Malo, Lee unintentionally becomes a witness to the first use of napalm. Her powerful war photographs document the harrowing experiences of the soldiers and the impact of the conflict on the landscape.

Amidst the Liberation of Paris, Lee captures disturbing scenes of the French Resistance publicly humiliating women who had collaborated with the Germans. This moment showcases the harsh realities and complexities of life in post-occupation France.

While in Paris, Lee reunites with her friend Solange d'Ayen, who is troubled by her husband's disappearance and her recent imprisonment. During this encounter, Lee learns about the suffering and disappearance of many individuals during the German occupation.

Lee and David Scherman drive into Nazi Germany, documenting the grim realities of the war as they journey through the front lines. Their photographs serve as a testament to the atrocities committed during this dark chapter in history.

Lee and Scherman provide shocking photographic evidence of the crimes committed at the concentration camps of Dachau and Buchenwald. Their powerful images starkly reveal the inhumane conditions endured by the victims.

In April 1945, shortly before Germany's surrender, Scherman takes famous photographs of Lee in a bathtub at Adolf Hitler's Munich flat. This surreal experience encapsulates the absurdity of war and Lee's unique position within it.

Upon her return to Britain after the war, Lee is frustrated to discover that her wartime photographs have been withheld from publication. The British censor's rationale is based on fears that the images would further traumatize a war-weary public.

Lee marries Roland Penrose in 1947, and shortly thereafter, their son, Antony, is born. This new chapter in her life highlights her transition from war correspondent to a mother, shaping her identity in unexpected ways.

Years later, Antony discovers the depth of his mother's wartime experiences and interviews her about the events that shaped her life. Their candid discussions open old wounds and reveal the lasting impact of war on families.

Following Lee's death, Antony and his wife Suzanna discover hundreds of photographs and papers in her attic. They go on to establish the Lee Miller Archives, preserving her significant contribution to photography and history.