Glorious 39 [DVD] [2010]

This film in some ways compliments Joe's Palace (BBC) [DVD] in that it is a study of the reactions of some of the upper classes to Nazi Germany and the possibility of appeasement and profiteering as an alternative to war. (For those in any doubt Guilty Men and Five Days in London: May 1940 (Unabridged) provide background).The plot is allegorical and to me, if not to many newspaper reviewer the powerful imagery of the vet, Glorious being filmed behind the gate, subsequent scenes, was shocking reference to the death camps. Prior to that, the way the "authorities" revealed the adopted daughter's actual nationality was redolent of the racial purifications.Poliakoff drops in little clues that built up nicely, the new vicar's aside, aunt aunt Elizabeth with her slightly sinister reactions to the adopted daughter was brillant, the weird Walter, others. Great cast, great perfomances though Bill Nighy was slightly going through the motions.A much darker film than it might seem, seemingly dismissable as whimsical if you are not paying enough attention. Great cinema.

I thought that this was a very well acted film, with a superb cast to play such intriguing characters. Some have comment that it isn't an accurate depiction of history. I have to say, if I wanted a depiction of history, I would watch a documentary rather than a film. This is an excellent bit of scripting, and so well acted. I was thoroughly impressed. Romola Garai is beautiful and striking throughout and her array of emotion staggering. I really enjoyed it, and couldn't believe my luck when I spotted it so cheap on amazon!! I had missed it in the cinema, and I was gutted! So pleased that I got it. Would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who loves a bit of mystery and intrigue.

This is a very good-looking film with handsome costumes and a strong feel for the period. I bought it because I heard it described as "an enjoyable conspiracy thriller" and I suppose that's broadly true, but it is let down by the plot, which is sufficiently fantastical to make suspension of disbelief very difficult after the first thirty minutes or so. The standard of acting is very high, as one would expect from such a starry cast, but the script makes the characters behave implausibly and it is hard to feel empathy for them. Romola Garai in particular does a wonderful job, the director in his interview alludes to the fact that she is just waiting for that "killer" part, but I don't think Mr Poliakoff is going to be the one who provides it for her. Bill Nighy can do nothing with his role and is almost painful to watch, which says something for the characterisation. If you like the cast or are an admirer of the director's TV work, buy it by all means, but I don't think you'll be able to watch it without feeling disappointed - it could have been so much more. The DVD also features interviews and the option to watch the film again with a voice-over by Stephen Poliakoff and Romola Garai.

“It’s not always a good place to go…” warns Christopher Lee, “…the past.” And as the glorious English summer of 1939 fades into a dark autumn of war, actress Romola Garai learns things about her close-knit, adoptive aristocratic family that will make her head spin. Stephen Poliakoff acknowledges a debt to Hitchcock in his seductively staged melodrama, the cameras gliding past the opulent surroundings of country-house England to stare down shadowy corridors and secret conspiracies. Hitchcock scoffed at appeasement in 1938’s The Lady Vanishes and his second Hollywood film, following the Oscar-winning Rebecca, was Foreign Correspondent, an urgent wake-up call aimed at isolationist America. In fact, with its walnut cakes for high tea and garden marquee soirees, the wartime film Glorious 39 most vividly resembles is Fritz Lang’s paranoid thriller Ministry of Fear. What’s ultimately most satisfying about this intriguing picture is that there’s nothing remotely ‘Inglourious’ about it.

The story begins in 1939 just prior the 2nd war world war against Hitler. It portrays esponage from elite persons in Britain with influence, who try to keep war at bay by submitting to Hitler's demands. Based on a a probable true event to keep Sir Winston Churchill out of Parliament(He beleives Britain should fight to retain all that is British) and to prevent Britain from war. This keeps you guessing right until the end. Full of suspense, mystery and untrigue. You will even begin to distrust your own judgement, due to the many twists in the plot. Well worth seeing as usual by this director.

This is a marvellous film that sets you thinking and talking.I was expecting more in the way of a regular "late period drama" with a formulaic theme. I'd forgotten about Poliakoff's flair and gift for amazing twists and hidden shadows.The performances are superb - and hardly surprising really. Romola Garai is excellent in the lead role as Anne - but with the likes of Bill Nighy, Christopher Lee, David Tennant, Jenny Agutter, Julie Christie et al; she is never alone!The film sits on a bed of sinister intrigue and weaves a tangled web of curious agendas as Britain moves towards war.I am in no doubt that it is a film that demands more than one viewing - it leaves more questions than answers.Highly recommended; a truly thought provoking film.

What a thrilling little film with such a stellar cast and sumptuous locations and costumes. I really had no idea what it was about, buying it only because I have a slightly embarrassing fixation on ex Dr Who David Tennant. While he features less than prominently - it is one of those blink and you'd miss it roles - that certainly does not detract from a really beautifully filmed and interesting movie.