When you watch a film made in 1943 you realise, they had no idea how things would play out. Or for how long. The constant fear of invasion and the Blitz (the V1 and V2s would soon start landing on the citizens of Britain.) was gone and they had to stay focused and sacrifice and fight for...how long? Amazing people. And this movie gives such a delightful view of the great leveling that took place in both world wars efforts.
The acting is well-done and typically downplayed. No overacting or supreme confidence. As an ex-pat living the UK and meeting people of this era, they were more restrained that Americans. Patricia Roc, a lovely woman, takes us on a tour of the change in her life, from mindless middle class to mutineer and lover of a simple soul, Sergeant Fred (Gordon Jackson). Her quirks and her hopes make her feel so real, and when she says "it always works out like I plan" you know her love story will soon end. The final minutes as Roc's character resumes the life briefly interrupted by marriage. How many young women who watched that would soon lose their "Fred" or just had. Handled with care and honesty that is uniquely British WW2 cinema.
The secondary stories are excellent and the acting of the whole cast is wonderful (though Americans may struggle with the varied accents of the mutineers). Anne Crawford's pursuit/pursued of Eric Portman is particularly interesting, reminding us class differences still needed their own revolution. To have seen this in 1943 and not knowing if victory would ever come, the audience would have been inspired but not given a fantasy. Too many more visits from RAF chaplains awaited.
The acting is well-done and typically downplayed. No overacting or supreme confidence. As an ex-pat living the UK and meeting people of this era, they were more restrained that Americans. Patricia Roc, a lovely woman, takes us on a tour of the change in her life, from mindless middle class to mutineer and lover of a simple soul, Sergeant Fred (Gordon Jackson). Her quirks and her hopes make her feel so real, and when she says "it always works out like I plan" you know her love story will soon end. The final minutes as Roc's character resumes the life briefly interrupted by marriage. How many young women who watched that would soon lose their "Fred" or just had. Handled with care and honesty that is uniquely British WW2 cinema.
The secondary stories are excellent and the acting of the whole cast is wonderful (though Americans may struggle with the varied accents of the mutineers). Anne Crawford's pursuit/pursued of Eric Portman is particularly interesting, reminding us class differences still needed their own revolution. To have seen this in 1943 and not knowing if victory would ever come, the audience would have been inspired but not given a fantasy. Too many more visits from RAF chaplains awaited.