Thomas Hughes' 1857 novel as adapted by Noel Langley was filmed as far back as 1916 - we were familiar with the 1971 TV series, which changed the plot somewhat and was quite tough in its depiction of bullying and torture (well, it seemed so to an eight year old).
John Howard Davies is the gutsy pupil, Robert Newton the wise headmaster. Kept making me think of Harry Potter stories.
It's not very excitingly directed. In fact it's downright slack - 'roasting' scene for example.
Kathleen Byron is in it for a full eight seconds. I noted that John Charlesworth, who played - rather well - Tom's buddy East, didn't do much else of note, but tragically killed himself in 1960 aged 24.
With James Hayter, John Forrest (Flashman), Michael Hordern, Max Bygraves (the coachman), Francis de Wolff, Amy Veness (as 'Mrs Wixie'), Brian Worth (sensitive teacher), Diana Wynyard (headmaster's wife), Hermione Baddeley.
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