Not quite sure why comical Tommy Trinder is top-billed as clearly the thrust of the story belongs to Clifford Evans and Constance Cummings; Trinder and army colleague Gordon Jackson don't come into it until later. With Robert Morley (with quite one of the worst French accents on film), Ernest Milton, Charles Victor, John Williams (in one of two films he made back home in support of the war effort), Paul Bonifas, Anita Palacine, Francis L Sullivan, Mervyn Johns.
Story of efforts to bring back from France special machinery through French migration, German attacks and double-crossing is thrilling and well caught - we really feel we're in France. Robert Hamer displays his skill as an editor, particularly in aerial attack scene. Trinder's humorous style counterbalances serious moments.
Written by two of the the three writers of Went The Day Well - John Dighton and Angus McPhail, with Leslie Arliss - based on J.B. Priestley 'narrative' (i.e. what he came up with at the pub one Sunday afternoon); produced also by that film's director Cavalcanti. And shot by the same photographer Wilkie Cooper. Music William Walton.
Ça marche!
The pub referenced, The World Turned Upside Down in the Old Kent Road, sadly closed in 2009.
No comments:
Post a Comment