'Our Boys At The Sea' is a typical militaristic propaganda film in the manner that was rather common in the 1930's everywhere in the world. Usually this type of movies have been deemed worthless, more or less for good, by modern viewers but if you're looking for an example of entertaining propaganda movie this film may be a good one. What is good in this particular film is mostly due to the merry and spirited singer Georg "Jori" Malmstén who plays the main role and performs his (still) rather popular songs. Malmstén actually steals the movie for himself from being just a propaganda film, and with his songs the whole movie becomes a rather good musical too.
In many other propaganda films the nature of the enemy becomes very clear, but in 'Our Boys At The Sea' too direct references to any particular enemy are completely missing; the enemy doesn't need to be the Soviet Union this time. The film makes use of the small submarine flotilla Finland had before the second world war and it preserves a rare insight into the realm and submarine culture that has become completely forgotten after the war.
Watch this for the songs, for the submarines and for Malmstén. Because the film has a lot of good kick I can't but give a high vale for it. Especially Malmstén's fans will rock it with this one and if you don't know anything about Malmstén before this may be a good spot to start with.
In many other propaganda films the nature of the enemy becomes very clear, but in 'Our Boys At The Sea' too direct references to any particular enemy are completely missing; the enemy doesn't need to be the Soviet Union this time. The film makes use of the small submarine flotilla Finland had before the second world war and it preserves a rare insight into the realm and submarine culture that has become completely forgotten after the war.
Watch this for the songs, for the submarines and for Malmstén. Because the film has a lot of good kick I can't but give a high vale for it. Especially Malmstén's fans will rock it with this one and if you don't know anything about Malmstén before this may be a good spot to start with.
