British War Films Daily Mail DVD Giveaway

[stevie boy]

Carve Her Name With Pride is a fine film and a fine tribute to a fine lady
picked up the Malta Story today

[Marky B]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook Go and read some history books. The history of the events would have been well known to everyone watching the film when it was first released so they didn't feel the need to include it all in the the film. I would have hoped that it would still be well known today, but apparently not. The first part of the film shows that she's a fairly ordinary London girl, albeit one with a French mother. It's important to show that, and how she met and married a heroic (to her eyes), dashing young French officer. They married and had a child. Violette had been brought up in France and in London. France had been invaded, London had been bombed, her husband had been killed without ever seeing their child, she had every reason to want to fight the people who did that. When she does join SOE, her training also made it clear that she was one of the few people who could do the job, passing themselves off as a French native. She was also a very good shot and quite adventurous and athletic. While she was working in enemy territory, it wasn't just the Germans she had to worry about. There were also the French collaborators, the Milice and other less obvious ones. Violette's first mission was to go into the Cherbourg area after a network there had been blown. She had to go in "cold" with no contacts, find people who were still at liberty and persuade them to put the network back together. Some members of the Gestapo were a bit suspicious of her, but she had a good cover story and good papers so they didn't have enough suspicions to arrest her. She was only there for a couple of days and she did make use of the air raid to travel around a bit while everyone was keeping their heads down You may regard what the SOE did as terrorism, the Nazis certainly did and they killed many SOE agents. But without those agents and the French resistance that they organised, the D-Day landings might not have been successful and Europe might still be ruled by Nazis. For her second mission she was dropped in the Limoges region on the day after D-Day where she helped organise various resistance groups to prevent the Panzer troops from the south of France going to strengthen the Normandy defences. When they were discovered, Violette was fighting as a deliberate delaying tactic to allow the resistance leader to get away. And although they were "numerous young German men" they were members of an SS Panzer detachment who had already carried out quite a few atrocities and who, soon afterwards, were so upset by being delayed on their way to Normandy that they massacred the entire population of Oradour-sur-Glane. So who was really the terrorist? Steve

Well said,Steve!
Ta Ta
Marky B

[lordtednfs]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook Go and read some history books. The history of the events would have been well known to everyone watching the film when it was first released so they didn't feel the need to include it all in the the film. I would have hoped that it would still be well known today, but apparently not. The first part of the film shows that she's a fairly ordinary London girl, albeit one with a French mother. It's important to show that, and how she met and married a heroic (to her eyes), dashing young French officer. They married and had a child. Violette had been brought up in France and in London. France had been invaded, London had been bombed, her husband had been killed without ever seeing their child, she had every reason to want to fight the people who did that. When she does join SOE, her training also made it clear that she was one of the few people who could do the job, passing themselves off as a French native. She was also a very good shot and quite adventurous and athletic. While she was working in enemy territory, it wasn't just the Germans she had to worry about. There were also the French collaborators, the Milice and other less obvious ones. Violette's first mission was to go into the Cherbourg area after a network there had been blown. She had to go in "cold" with no contacts, find people who were still at liberty and persuade them to put the network back together. Some members of the Gestapo were a bit suspicious of her, but she had a good cover story and good papers so they didn't have enough suspicions to arrest her. She was only there for a couple of days and she did make use of the air raid to travel around a bit while everyone was keeping their heads down You may regard what the SOE did as terrorism, the Nazis certainly did and they killed many SOE agents. But without those agents and the French resistance that they organised, the D-Day landings might not have been successful and Europe might still be ruled by Nazis. For her second mission she was dropped in the Limoges region on the day after D-Day where she helped organise various resistance groups to prevent the Panzer troops from the south of France going to strengthen the Normandy defences. When they were discovered, Violette was fighting as a deliberate delaying tactic to allow the resistance leader to get away. And although they were "numerous young German men" they were members of an SS Panzer detachment who had already carried out quite a few atrocities and who, soon afterwards, were so upset by being delayed on their way to Normandy that they massacred the entire population of Oradour-sur-Glane. So who was really the terrorist? Steve

Thanks Steve, your words speaks volumes. People should read other threads on the subject before making comments for which they know nothing about. It makes them look slightly ill informed, putting it nicely.

___________________
Hooked off the line

[stevie boy]

We Dive at Dawn is todays dvd

[stevie boy]

watched Dive at Dawn last night, very good, today is 49th Parallel a P& P film, looking forward to checking out Larry's accent

[stevie boy]

just been visiting IMDB to have a look at comments on 49th Parallel and they are almost unaminous in their disbelief at Larry's accent. Why did Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger allow this to happen,was Olivier foisted on them??

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by stevie boy just been visiting IMDB to have a look at comments on 49th Parallel and they are almost unaminous in their disbelief at Larry's accent. Why did Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger allow this to happen,was Olivier foisted on them??

What do you think of his accent? And his performance?

Most people who have commented on it have never heard a French Canadian trapper from "down north". They are expecting a French accent if anything. Various people who have heard a French Canadian trapper speak say that he got the accent quite accurately for most of the film. He did have a French Canadian trapper as a dialogue coach. But even given that, he does go OTT with it occasionally when he gets excited

But Larry, and Leslie Howard, were the star names at the time and having those names in the project helped them get the picture made. So no, he wasn't "foisted" on them and he gives what is generally a very good performance.

In 1941, not many people had heard of Eric Portman. But the big star names in the film all agreed that Portman should get top billing. Oh, and most of them gave most of their fee to charities as well, usually the Red Cross

Steve

[Rob Compton]

Olivier did have the habit of sometimes going slightly over the top with an accent - another case in point is his Russian in "The Demi Paradise" I know opinions differ, but I think he gave a brilliant performance in both films.

rgds
Rob

Originally Posted by Steve Crook What do you think of his accent? And his performance? Most people who have commented on it have never heard a French Canadian trapper from "down north". They are expecting a French accent if anything. Various people who have heard a French Canadian trapper speak say that he got the accent quite accurately for most of the film. He did have a French Canadian trapper as a dialogue coach. But even given that, he does go OTT with it occasionally when he gets excited But Larry, and Leslie Howard, were the star names at the time and having those names in the project helped them get the picture made. So no, he wasn't "foisted" on them and he gives what is generally a very good performance. In 1941, not many people had heard of Eric Portman. But the big star names in the film all agreed that Portman should get top billing. Oh, and most of them gave most of their fee to charities as well, usually the Red Cross Steve

[stevie boy]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook What do you think of his accent? And his performance? Most people who have commented on it have never heard a French Canadian trapper from "down north". They are expecting a French accent if anything. Various people who have heard a French Canadian trapper speak say that he got the accent quite accurately for most of the film. He did have a French Canadian trapper as a dialogue coach. But even given that, he does go OTT with it occasionally when he gets excited But Larry, and Leslie Howard, were the star names at the time and having those names in the project helped them get the picture made. So no, he wasn't "foisted" on them and he gives what is generally a very good performance. In 1941, not many people had heard of Eric Portman. But the big star names in the film all agreed that Portman should get top billing. Oh, and most of them gave most of their fee to charities as well, usually the Red Cross Steve

Yes it was better than I thought,however, many people have picked up on it(IMDB) by the way I live next door to French Canadian Slapper from Wigan, does that count??

[stevie boy]

The Lion Has Wings is todays freebie,not seen this one and am looking forward to watching it later.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by stevie boy Yes it was better than I thought,however, many people have picked up on it(IMDB) by the way I live next door to French Canadian Slapper from Wigan, does that count??

I am told (no personal experience) that the French Canadian accent in Montrel is noticeably different to the French accent, and the French Canadian accent of a trapper from northern Quebec is noticeably different to the accent of someone in Montreal.

But the accent is only a very small part of the film. What did you think of the rest of it?

Was it possibly one of Ray Massey's best ever roles? He said he though it was in his autobiography and it was the only time he ever played a Canadian on screen.

What about Niall MacGinnis as the good German? And Glynis Johns, stepping into the breach like that? What about Eric Portman? How nasty was he? And Anton Walbrook refuting Hirth's pro-Nazi speech?

Steve

[stevie boy]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook I am told (no personal experience) that the French Canadian accent in Montrel is noticeably different to the French accent, and the French Canadian accent of a trapper from northern Quebec is noticeably different to the accent of someone in Montreal. But the accent is only a very small part of the film. What did you think of the rest of it? Was it possibly one of Ray Massey's best ever roles? He said he though it was in his autobiography and it was the only time he ever played a Canadian on screen. What about Niall MacGinnis as the good German? And Glynis Johns, stepping into the breach like that? What about Eric Portman? How nasty was he? And Anton Walbrook refuting Hirth's pro-Nazi speech? Steve

I think that Larry's accent was a little hysterical, especially compared to Portman's fabulous German accent, but as Larry was only on screen for about 15 minutes I guess he had to leave his mark. Massey was very good in his role,best ever?? cannot really comment I have not seen many of his films, he certainly was good in AMOLAD. Niall Macginnis was a very fine actor, never better than in Night of the Demon, although he was excellent inTawny Pippit. He played the role well but I thought that his execution was a little far fetched, although Portman did portray quite a nasty character. Glynis Johns was Glynis Johns, like her but she is a bit samey,great voice though. Walbrook was fantastic and the acting in the speech segment with Portman was fabulous. As a propoganda piece it was very interesting, but I thought it got a little silly at the end with Leslie Howard. The leap that P&P made to ACT was massive. Enjoyable film with some nice touches. Where was it made?? the scenery did look good.

[stevie boy]

I picked up Appointment in London today, although I only watched this recently and tried to find the pub in Lincolnshire when in fact it was very close to the studio I will probably view this again tonight. This has been a very good collection although Escape to Athena is a bit of a turkey. I wonder if they will do another war collection at a later date.

One of our Aircraft is missing
Guns of Naverone
Bridge on the River Kwai

all spring to mind

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by stevie boy I think that Larry's accent was a little hysterical, especially compared to Portman's fabulous German accent, but as Larry was only on screen for about 15 minutes I guess he had to leave his mark. Massey was very good in his role,best ever?? cannot really comment I have not seen many of his films, he certainly was good in AMOLAD. Niall Macginnis was a very fine actor, never better than in Night of the Demon, although he was excellent inTawny Pippit. He played the role well but I thought that his execution was a little far fetched, although Portman did portray quite a nasty character. Glynis Johns was Glynis Johns, like her but she is a bit samey,great voice though. Walbrook was fantastic and the acting in the speech segment with Portman was fabulous. As a propoganda piece it was very interesting, but I thought it got a little silly at the end with Leslie Howard. The leap that P&P made to ACT was massive. Enjoyable film with some nice touches. Where was it made?? the scenery did look good.

Where was it made? Canada

They spent quite a .long time in Canada, but some of the leading players never went there and all of their work is in the studio back in Britain with middle & long shots of them using doubles.

The part of Anna, the Hutterite girl, was to have been played by Elisabeth Bergner and she went to Canada with them. But then she deserted the company and fled to Hollywood. She had only used the film as an excuse or a method to get out of Britain. As a German-Jew she felt the Nazis were too close for comfort. The long shots of Anna from across the field are of Bergner. But of course all the close ups are of Glynis Johns who stepped into the breach when they got back to Britain. A rare case of a star (as Bergner was then) acting as a stand in to a relative unknown (as Glynis was then)

Steve

[Rob Compton]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook Where was it made? Canada They spent quite a .long time in Canada, but some of the leading players never went there and all of their work is in the studio back in Britain with middle & long shots of them using doubles. The part of Anna, the Hutterite girl, was to have been played by Elisabeth Bergner and she went to Canada with them. But then she deserted the company and fled to Hollywood. She had only used the film as an excuse or a method to get out of Britain. As a German-Jew she felt the Nazis were too close for comfort. The long shots of Anna from across the field are of Bergner. But of course all the close ups are of Glynis Johns who stepped into the breach when they got back to Britain. A rare case of a star (as Bergner was then) acting as a stand in to a relative unknown (as Glynis was then) Steve

That's very interesting, Steve, I wasn't aware of the situation re Elisabeth Bergner - have you any more information on what happened when she fled to the US? What was MP's reaction, for example?

rgds
Rob