That was an excellent one.

An Exercise In Nonsense

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

The story of Violette Szabo is told in an unfussy low key way. This film has the feeling of authenticity in the way that after Etienne her husband was killed in the war , Violette was recruited into the S.O.E. You can imagine how this subject would be filmed today whereas Lewis Gilbert makes her genuinely heroic life low key and truthful.There are two scenes in this film that for me have great power -- the first is when she is urged to go back to France on her second 'job'; she is persuaded by one of the service personnel not to go and yet Violette goes against this and shows extreme courage in not only accepting but going through with the assignment,she is supported immediately in her choice.The other scene is more obvious though no less powerful where her interrogator in Foches where Gilbert has the camera on his reaction to her treatment by the gestapo.By doing this the film tells the facts without resorting to 'drama'. She really was the most courageous of human beings.

Carve Her Name stands out among the host of British WWII films made in the late Fifties - why isn't hard to pinpoint - in a world of men, a film about a woman is enough.Given the fact that it is Virginia McKenna, who starts unevenly and finishes brilliantly, it is a surprisingly moving film.The film has a strong sense of it's own convictions, and solid directing - again though it has at its soul a tale of true courage that touches the viewer deeply.It shines as a classic of the genre, along with Reach for the Skies - though this always ranks higher in my humble opinion.Much better than most - and well-worth seeing, or seeing again.

British Director Lewis Gilbert is unknown to most Americans. This is a pity because he has directed a number of "crossover" masterpieces and this true story of wartime heroism is but one of them. The movie reminds me somewhat of The Man Who Never Was, a spy movie which required a woman who had been through a recent tragedy, marvelously played by Gloria Grahame, to use that tragedy to make herself a believable spy. Although she has excellent support by a young Paul Scofield and a non-too-shabby veteran cast, Virginia McKenna must pull off the central character, Violetta Szabo, in order for the film to succeed. She does so without question,and then some. If this movie does not bring tears to your eyes, no movie will.

Virginia McKenna does a great job of portraying unsung British war heroine Violetta Szabo. Paul Scofield, perhaps the greatest actor of his generation, is equally magnificent as Tony. Lewis Gilbert allows the tale to unfold without much pomp and fanfare but with crisp direction and solid supporting performances, this merely adds to its power. The resilient score is also worth noting. Every time I finish watching this film, I cry, then I want to watch it again.The recent film Charlotte Gray attempted a similar theme, at ten times the cost (even inflation-adjusted), twice the length, and one-tenth the impact. If you've seen Charlotte Gray, and made it all the way through, see Carve Your Name With Pride. You will adore it.