By Hollywood rules, it should never have been made; no studs or ingénues as leading characters, no love interest,or heroic exploits,length more than two hours.. the humor is ironic, and makes you think more than laugh... But this is a great film. The original stage production had made a deep impression on John Mills, and it seems as though he, Olivier, Attenborough, Gilegud, Richardson and probably most of the rest of the star-studded cast thought they simply had to make this film, and it shows...(Yes, actual personal commitment, what a concept..)
The subject is how the British nation were sold a war, and how the British military command refused to realize it when it became disastrous, and continued to waste thousands of lives to no purpose. Not your typical musical...But despite the theatrical setting on a Brighton Pier for some of the scenes, there's real history there. John Mills, as General Haig, really uses Haig's words, from his diaries, in all their comforting, delusional splendor. I only wish the film could have been re-released prior to Operation Iraqi Freedom, ( or whatever they're calling it now).
The subject is how the British nation were sold a war, and how the British military command refused to realize it when it became disastrous, and continued to waste thousands of lives to no purpose. Not your typical musical...But despite the theatrical setting on a Brighton Pier for some of the scenes, there's real history there. John Mills, as General Haig, really uses Haig's words, from his diaries, in all their comforting, delusional splendor. I only wish the film could have been re-released prior to Operation Iraqi Freedom, ( or whatever they're calling it now).