That was an excellent one.

Best movie of this year hands down!

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

While this film offers some mildly (very mildly) humorous scenes, I would not characterize it as a comedy--more like a drama with comedic overtones. This isn't a complaint--I just don't want to viewer to expect too much from this film.It starts off in the present day. James Robertson Justice's character is being honored on the British version of "You Bet Your Life" and this leads to a flashback that comprises most of the rest of the film.Apparently, Justice was a big-shot during WWII. During a special mission over German territory, he is accidentally sucked out of a gaping hole blown into the Halifax bomber. And, not surprisingly, he's placed in a POW camp filled with British soldiers. However, he's so important that word makes it to the prisoners that he MUST escape at all costs. In the meantime, Justice is incredibly brusque and dismissive of everyone. It's obvious he hates everyone--showing no respect or willingness to socialize with anyone--British or even German. So, the prisoners are forced to help someone no one really likes--nor should they like him! Much of the film the viewer ponders whether Justice's character is truly hateful or if it's all an act, of sorts. See it and then you decide for yourself. It's an enjoyable little film--nothing great, but well done....and Justice is very good as usual.

Sir Ernest Pease is sucked out of an aeroplane and captured by the Germans, and promptly interred at a POW camp. Naturally he refuses to give the Germans any information, and carrying his surly approach into his bunking quarters doesn't endear him to his fellow prisoners. But word comes thru from the hierarchy that Pease is so important on account of his scientific knowledge, he must escape at all costs. Thus this odd group of people must unite to get the old curmudgeon free.Written by the men behind some of Norman Wisdom's most well known offerings {Henry Blyth & Jack Davies} and starring such British comedy luminaries like James Robertson Justice, Leslie "Hello" Phillips, Stanley Baxter, John Le Mesurier and Eric Sykes. Well it isn't rocket science to work out what type of film you are in for. Competently made at Beaconsfield Studio for Independent Artists,Very Important Person is practically a goofy version of the Great Escape {made two years later I hasten to add}. The Germans are of course portrayed as clueless dunderheads, and the British prisoners get by with a stiff upper lip and using humour as ultra sharp defence mechanisms.So nothing new here for those that have sat thru many a 50s and 60s British war comedy, but the cast and writing is so engaging it's easy to forgive the familiarity of it all. Carried easily by the broad presence of James R Justice as Pease {fans of the Doctor franchise will love him here}, it's a film that knows it's a simple piece. It exists purely to induce a giggle, maybe even stir a bit of pride, and with its ending-actually has something to say as regards its main character. It's real light stuff that isn't the least bit dramatic {as some on line reviewers have suggested}, kind of like like a light wafer biscuit, you know it's a snack and that's really all you need to make you temporarily fulfilled. 6.5/10

Very Important Person combines elements of the Carry On films, The Great Escape and Hogan's Heroes to produce a lighthearted low budget British Comedy that is surprisingly effective. Many of the stalwarts from this era are here with John Le Mesurier, Stanley Baxter, Eric Sykes in supporting roles. I wouldn't have been at all surprised to see Sid James turning up somewhere.James Roberson Justice is excellent in his role as the cantankerous Very Important Person. There are lots of stiff upper lips and "tickety boos" from the British and the German officers are typically cast as foolish buffoons. This must have all been an inspiration for Hogan's Heroes but a very long way from the reality of prisoner of war camps.Overall, VIP is a fine example of British Comedy from the 60s and is well worth a look.

James Robertson-Justice plays (Sir Ernest Pease.) an important scientist sent on a bombing mission to see how a raid goes. As we can all guess, the plane is attacked and he parachutes to safety only to be sent to a pow camp,where he takes on the alias of Lt Farrow. When the senior British officer learns who he is, Farrow is helped to escape.The film is held together by Robertson-Justice, whose performance lifts the film out of the ordinary.