Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger were at the absolute top of the heap following The Red Shoes – a Hollywood career was theirs for the taking but instead they elected to go work for Alex Korda. The result was a string of films that were unsuccessful at the box office, although they have a solid critical reputation.
This was their first Korda film and it’s aged very well – the hero is the sort of the role they love to play today: tormented, crippled (fake foot), alcoholic, brilliant, sexy (he has a sexually charged relationship with his girlfriend). It’s also got a great documentary feel, and realistic take (eg ministry meeting with jack hammering going on outside). There’s an expressionistic “not drinking” scene which feels Long Weekend.
There’s a plot about German bombs killing people (it’s set in 1943) but the bulk of the story concerns a character study of David Farrar (the hero) and politics with back room ministries, which I found surprisingly engrossing.
The support cast is superb: Jack Hawkins (Farrar’s boss), Sid James (bartender who discourages his alcoholic tendencies), Robert Morley. Kathleen Byron was so effective in The Black Narcissus but didn’t quite work in a more “normal” role here as Farrar’s girlfriend. Farrar is excellent and should have had a bigger career as star. What's with the bromance between him and the officer at the end?
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