Watching this wonderful film in late 2006, I was struck by how much simpler life was on many levels. Stepping out of line meant a good caning; falling in love did not have immediate sexual overtones; getting your baggage was virtually hassle-free; fear of terrorists was not foremost in the minds of international travelers; and, most delightfully, young boys were completely trusted in the company of men. Thoroughly enjoyable also is the view of history through the eyes of 1930's English historians. Racism and sexism are appropriate to the setting, but xenophobia, while evident in nearly every scene, is amusingly excoriated toward the end of the film.
It is, in many ways, an anti-war movie. It shows well the contradiction of wanting for go to war in The Great War, merely for honor, only to come home to honored posthumously. Discipline and Boy Scout virtues are shown to be the backbone of society and it is implied that English society is the one that really matters. Still, forgiveness and a gentler touch are what eventually win the day.
The film quality was not tremendous--the black and white graininess does compete well with contemporaries like "GWTW" and "The Wizard of Oz" and many corny visual devices, already trite by 1939, are used. However, these actually add to the charm of this movie. They reinforce the earnestness of the characters and the plot of GMC. (May I call it that?).
This seems like the granddaddy of all prep school movies and is probably the inspiration for "Harry Potter", "Dead Poet's Society", "Chariots of Fire", and many others of this type (more of an ilk than a genre). This movie came out 11 years before I was born, but it made me wish I had attended Brookfield.
Robert Donat shows restraint while showing great range, no mean feat. Greer Garson is delightful and the supporting cast is dutiful and appropriate. Paul Henried plays a caricature of himself to a degree that would be mocked in other settings, but feels just right here.
No serious film buff's viewing portfolio is complete without this one.
It is, in many ways, an anti-war movie. It shows well the contradiction of wanting for go to war in The Great War, merely for honor, only to come home to honored posthumously. Discipline and Boy Scout virtues are shown to be the backbone of society and it is implied that English society is the one that really matters. Still, forgiveness and a gentler touch are what eventually win the day.
The film quality was not tremendous--the black and white graininess does compete well with contemporaries like "GWTW" and "The Wizard of Oz" and many corny visual devices, already trite by 1939, are used. However, these actually add to the charm of this movie. They reinforce the earnestness of the characters and the plot of GMC. (May I call it that?).
This seems like the granddaddy of all prep school movies and is probably the inspiration for "Harry Potter", "Dead Poet's Society", "Chariots of Fire", and many others of this type (more of an ilk than a genre). This movie came out 11 years before I was born, but it made me wish I had attended Brookfield.
Robert Donat shows restraint while showing great range, no mean feat. Greer Garson is delightful and the supporting cast is dutiful and appropriate. Paul Henried plays a caricature of himself to a degree that would be mocked in other settings, but feels just right here.
No serious film buff's viewing portfolio is complete without this one.