Review of The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

In1942 in London, along a war training of the Home Guard, the reckless officer Spud Wilson (James McKechnie) arrests General Clive Candy (Roger Livesey) in a club, and he recalls his life since forty years ago. Candy fought in the Boer War and was decorated with a honor medal. In 1902, while in leave in London, he is informed by a friend that the British Miss Edith Hunter (Deborah Kerr), who works as a housekeeper in Berlin, wrote a letter telling that a German officer was blaming the British Army of atrocities against the Boers in Africa. Candy travels to Berlin without permission, and after an incident in a fancy restaurant, he is challenged to a duel against Theo Kretschmar-Schuldorff (Anton Walbrook). They both are hurt and have to spend eight weeks in a hospital with Edith, becoming friends. Theo falls in love for her, marrying her in the end. Along the wars and years, Clive and Theo remain good friends, Clive gets married with Barbara Wynne (Deborah Kerr) and when Edith dies, Theo moves to London before the WWII. He meets General Candy again, who is responsible for the Home Guard of London and is introduced to his driver, "Johnny" Cannon (Deborah Kerr).

"The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp" shows war and life though the years of General Clive Candy. The movie is too long and could have been edited and reduced, but anyway I believe its great attraction is the year of the production, 1943, when England was in war against Germany in World War II. Deborah Kerr performs three different roles with her usual efficiency, but Roger Livessey is the greatest star of this good film. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Coronel Blimp - Vida e Morte" ("Colonel Blimp - Life and Death")