A soldier is put into the position of accompanying his lover's husband on a dangerous mission in "Hanover Street," starting Harrison Ford and Lesley-Anne Down. This film was done at the beginning of Harrison Ford's career as a star, and the results are disappointing. It plays more as a made-for-TV movie, especially with the casting of some actors mainly known for television work, including Down and Richard Masur.
The object, it seems, was to recreate the '40s World War II film, and in this, it is partially successful. There are some exciting scenes, particularly toward the end. However, the film takes about an hour to get going, and in the slow first hour, we don't get much back story. What, for instance, is the problem with Down's marriage to Christopher Plummer? I know there's a war on, but Down and Ford seem to fall for one another immediately, and we really don't get to see the love story develop. Before we know it, there are lines like "I don't know where you leave off and I begin." Lesley-Anne Down, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful women ever on TV or film - those eyes, her coloring - she's gorgeous. She's not particularly made up or photographed to advantage in this, but she's still amazing. Her acting is very good, particularly in scenes with her daughter. Christopher Plummer, as a man who feels he's not exciting enough for his wife, is its usual excellent self in a part that isn't really fleshed out. He and Ford do an excellent job in their scenes together. Harrison Ford is Harrison Ford, his star persona established early on - he's very natural, jaunty, and macho. His casting is perfection - a true movie star in the fashion of Hollywood's golden era in an old-fashioned romance. I just wish the movie had been better. And by the way, the last action scene in the film is ridiculous.
The object, it seems, was to recreate the '40s World War II film, and in this, it is partially successful. There are some exciting scenes, particularly toward the end. However, the film takes about an hour to get going, and in the slow first hour, we don't get much back story. What, for instance, is the problem with Down's marriage to Christopher Plummer? I know there's a war on, but Down and Ford seem to fall for one another immediately, and we really don't get to see the love story develop. Before we know it, there are lines like "I don't know where you leave off and I begin." Lesley-Anne Down, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful women ever on TV or film - those eyes, her coloring - she's gorgeous. She's not particularly made up or photographed to advantage in this, but she's still amazing. Her acting is very good, particularly in scenes with her daughter. Christopher Plummer, as a man who feels he's not exciting enough for his wife, is its usual excellent self in a part that isn't really fleshed out. He and Ford do an excellent job in their scenes together. Harrison Ford is Harrison Ford, his star persona established early on - he's very natural, jaunty, and macho. His casting is perfection - a true movie star in the fashion of Hollywood's golden era in an old-fashioned romance. I just wish the movie had been better. And by the way, the last action scene in the film is ridiculous.