7.0
In pre-WW1 England, a youngster is expelled from a naval academy over a petty theft, but his parents raise a political furor by demanding a trial.
Robert Donat
Sir Robert Morton
Cedric Hardwicke
Arthur Winslow
Margaret Leighton
Catherine Winslow
Basil Radford
Desmond Curry
Kathleen Harrison
Violet
Francis L. Sullivan
Attorney General
Marie Lohr
Grace Winslow
Jack Watling
Dickie Winslow
Walter Fitzgerald
First Lord
Frank Lawton
John Watherstone
Neil North
Ronnie Winslow
Nicholas Hannen
Col. Watherstone
Mona Washbourne
Miss Barnes
Stanley Holloway
Comico
Wilfrid Hyde-White
Wilkinson
Evelyn Roberts
Hamilton MP
W.A. Kelley
Brian O'Rourke
Edward Lexy
First Elderly Member
Vera Cook
Violet's friend
Hugh Dempster
Gordon McLeod
Ivan Samson
Kynaston Reeves
Charles Groves
Ernest Thesiger
Cyril Ritchard
Lewis Casson
Colin Gordon
Mary Hinton
David Horne
Noel Howlett
Aubrey Mallalieu
Dandy Nichols
Philip Ray
Bill Shine
Frank Tickle
Margaret Withers
Director
Anthony Asquith
Screenplay
Anatole de Grunwald
Screenplay, Theatre Play
Terence Rattigan
September 24, 2022
7
This is a super ensemble "David and Goliath" style story. When young "Ronnie" returns home having been expelled from the Naval Academy, accused of forgery, his father is quickly convinced of the young man's integrity and innocence. This is not just a proud father's belligerence, but a determination on behalf of this upstanding and principled man "Arthur" (Sir Cedric Hardwicke) to see his son gets justice. To that end, he alights on the renowned barrister and parliamentarian "Sir Robert Morton" (Robert Donat) to raise the issue in Parliament - it was not possible to seek ordinary legal redress for the lad as it would have meant effectively suing the King which was a big taboo! What now ensues is a well delivered story of right and wrong, of sacrifice and of love. Donat features sparingly really, but when he appears his delicate charm and subtle means of engaging with the camera speak volumes that, coupled with Rattigan's own adaptation of his play and with a solid cast including the always reliable Kathleen Harrison, Basil Bradford and Margaret Leighton create a potent look at just how effective the little man can be, when given the right impetus and a proper champion. It's not devoid of humour, either - usually at the hands of the gramophone-wielding, rather foppish "Dickie" (Jack Watling) who is happily wasting £200 a year at university with all the academic acumen of a toadstool. Just shy of two hours, it really does motor along well and though the ending is maybe a little bit rushed, it's provides an interesting character study of a family life that must adapt and even struggle to do what is right. Well worth a watch.
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$0.00