Unveiling the Truth: The ‘Lee’ Movie and the Legacy of Lee Miller, Iconic Surrealist Photographer and WWII Journalist

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Antony Penrose, as a child in postwar England, had a unique perspective on his mother, Lee Miller, who was an influential photographer of her time. He learned photography using her Rolleiflex camera and accompanied her on visits to prominent figures such as Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, and Man Ray. Yet, much of Miller’s life remained a mystery to him, especially her work as a renowned war correspondent for Vogue, where she captured some of the most important images of World War II. Despite her accomplishments, she rarely discussed that chapter of her life.

After Miller passed away in 1977, Penrose and his wife, Suzanna, were looking for baby pictures to compare with their newborn daughter, Ami. In the attic, however, they discovered a manuscript titled “The Siege of St. Malo,” which opened a new chapter in Penrose’s understanding of his mother. “It was this incredibly up-close and personal account of a hideous battle,” he recalls, realizing that Miller had witnessed the chaos of war firsthand, often conversing with soldiers shortly before their tragic deaths.

The lives of Lee Miller

Since that discovery, Penrose has devoted much of his life to preserving his mother’s legacy. He authored a biography in 1985 titled The Lives of Lee Miller and co-directs the Lee Miller Archives with his daughter, Ami Bouhassane, based at Miller’s former home in East Sussex, England.

One of the latest efforts to honor Miller’s legacy is the biopic Lee, directed by Ellen Kuras and featuring Kate Winslet as Miller. The film, inspired by Penrose’s work, draws on extensive resources from the Lee Miller Archives, allowing a rich exploration of her life.

As depicted in Lee, the narrative explores the contrasts in Miller’s life before and during the war. In one scene, she is seen enjoying the company of avant-garde artists in prewar France; in another, she photographs the devastation in European cities under siege. Despite the stark realities of her experiences, she never shared these stories with Penrose, which he now believes was partly due to her modesty and the significant psychological impact of her wartime experiences.

The making of Lee was fraught with challenges, with Winslet personally covering crew expenses when funding issues arose. The film aims to shed light on Miller, not only as a muse and model but as a pivotal figure actively engaged in significant historical events, capturing the essence of her artistic and personal struggles.

Model, muse, and artist

Miller’s journey in the world of photography began in 1927 when she was discovered by magazine magnate Condé Montrose Nast. She quickly rose to fame, appearing on the cover of Vogue just months later. Dissatisfied with being merely a model, she moved to Paris to pursue her passion for photography and became a significant figure in the Surrealist movement alongside Man Ray.

In addition to her work as a model, Miller was also involved in avant-garde cinema, featuring in The Blood of a Poet, a film by Jean Cocteau. After marrying an Egyptian businessman and later moving back to Europe, she resumed her photography career, which was interrupted by the onset of World War II.

Lee Miller’s surreal war

Upon the outbreak of the war, Miller was determined to contribute meaningfully. Despite returning to Vogue for typical fashion assignments, the destruction around her drew her focus to the war. She began capturing images of the Blitz, creating striking photographs that conveyed the harsh realities of wartime London.

In 1942, Miller gained accreditation as a photographer for the U.S. Army, though she initially focused on documenting women’s contributions during the war. However, she made her mark during the siege of St. Malo in 1944, where she was the sole reporter embedded with troops, producing a vivid account of her experiences.

Miller’s subsequent coverage of the liberation of concentration camps, including Dachau, had a profound impact. She was among the first journalists to witness the conditions there, capturing powerful images that challenged readers to confront the horrors of the Nazi regime. Her article in Vogue juxtaposed these images with the mundane lives of nearby Germans, forcing an intense moral confrontation with the war’s brutal realities.

The legacies of Lee Miller

As World War II drew to a close, Miller continued documenting the aftermath through her photography. She faced challenges adjusting to peacetime life in the arts and ultimately shifted her focus away from journalism to pursue culinary arts. However, she struggled with mental health issues, leaving a mixed legacy of personal challenges intertwined with her artistic achievements.

Despite their complicated relationship during her life, Penrose echoes the importance of Miller’s story, especially after uncovering her wartime experiences posthumously. He has noted that many people, particularly young women, draw inspiration from his mother’s life, leading them to pursue their dreams and challenge societal expectations. Penrose’s commitment to sharing her story has ensured that Miller is remembered not just as a model and a muse but as a complex individual and a trailblazing artist.

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www.smithsonianmag.com