The Winslow Boy (1948)
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.
- Anthony Asquith
- Terence Rattigan
- Anatole de Grunwald
- Terence Rattigan
Rating: 6.9/10 by 26 users
Alternative Title:
Мальчик Уинслоу - RU
Country:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Runtime: 01 hour 57 minutes
Budget: $0
Revenue: $0
Plot Keyword: london, england, based on play or musical, lawyer, justice, military school, expelled from school, 1910s
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.
