THIS HAPPY BREED: Why it's a David Lean Classic
Вставка
- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- Explore the story of this early film by director David Lean based on a hit Noel Coward play. A rare 1940's British colour production, the cast features John Mills, Robert Newton, Celia Johnson and Kay Walsh. Channel Music: Bensound.
i watch this movie every time it's on TV, a Grand film---
Such a fantastic British cast! Queenie's return still brings tears to the eyes.
Sir David Lean - sigh...the genius of a legend. I was first introduced to Sir David back in the day when my cousin and I would walk two miles to our local cinema (we lived on the peripheral edge of town on the other side of the tracks - and it was the 60s, a time when two ten year olds walking two miles by themselves wasn't given much thought - our parents we just happy to have us out of their hair) to watch such magnificent classics as Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago and Bridge on the River Kwai, sprawling epics which held the attention of two star-eyed children for hours (and without CGI and a script consisting of nothing but special effects). To this day I sit in awe of these masterpieces. Nonetheless, I have come to appreciate the gentle beauty of Lean's earlier works and their brilliant Englishness. Thank you for sharing, and for the gentle reminder of a simpler time, both on screen and in the movie house.
Beautifully written - and I can relate. Lawrence was the very first movie I saw alone, as a 10-year-old taking the bus downtown. I remember the smell of buttery popcorn and the shock of seeing blood on the sand when Sharif shoots the guide at the well. I loved the scene in the Fabelmans when the Spielberg character gets hooked seeing the train crash in Greatest Show on Earth as it reminded me of falling for movies while seeing Lawrence at the theatre.
Hi Walt great choice and as always a really good video. This is one of my favourite "made during the war" movies, but which is set before the war. I think this film is interesting as an early "kitchen sink drama" which tries to portray family life warts and all. You call them middle class but I would say they were working class, Father is a working man and war veteran who was a Sergeant I believe and Mother keeps house, although they are a bit better off than the average as they can afford a maid. As was common in those days several generations of the family would live together which could cause friction as in this case. The film has several themes, the tragedy of the son's death, the love affair between Kay Wash and John Mills, her running off with a married man which would have been a cardinal sin then. David Lean's direction, Noel Cowards story, and great acting by the cast made a wonderful film which today is almost forgotten.
Hi again; yes, I wrestled with the family's status - lower middle class? - as they did manage a maid, but your point is taken. I think Coward wanted this made to follow up on In Which We Serve as another nod to the British spirit and its values given the times.
Yes I think that is so it was 1944 the war was nearly over but British society had been changed for good as a result of the war those values were changing fast. British class structure has always been a problem especially when you try to add "upper" and "lower" and it still exists today but not so openly. Still a lot of snobbishness.
I forgot to mention, please, please review Hobson's choice, it is a masterpiece.
There have been a few comments on that one - i will bump it up the to-do list.
Very intrigued to watch this early David Lean--thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Glad you enjoyed it Thanks for watching.
Great review Walt65/WFP. I'll have to take a closer look at this one when I get a chance! Much appreciated sir!
ThAnks
As a Londoner born 1965 in Croydon (like David Lean) I can assure you that the people are definitely upper working class. Also, the interior decor of homes & ornaments, etc on show confirms this.
The accents also confirm this. Bear in mind there were 3 categories within the 3 classes - nobility/aristocracy were above the 3 classes of working, middle and upper class.
Thanks. I loved "classic London" and cherished my first visit in 1980, bedding at a friend's aunt's digs in the Northwest. I thought of those houses watching an old Sweeney last night.
A wonderful film. I love the old three-strip technicolor films; the American ones for their vivid and saturated hues, and the English, for their (usually) more subdued palette.
Agreed. The film was restored and the colours really pop. In the time before "colourists" there must have been some good discussions about how much colour to photograph (as in the dance sequence) without going overboard - like some of the Hollywood movies with knights and banners.
@@Vlad65WFPReviews If you've noticed, all the old Technicolor films list a "colour consultant" in the credits, and I believe having someone trained by Technicolor on the set was a requirement for buying the filmstock.
@@Michelle-Eden True, though it was a very different function back then. Also, not wanting to make videos too long I did not mention that the cast weren't happy with the colour filming as it added hours to productions due to the need to get lighting and photography just right.
Hi Walt...Its been over 6 months since you last posted content. I do hope your okay buddy ? I really miss your work, and your informative and inciteful commentary about the excellent films thay you review. Please let us all know that you sre okay ?
Miles from the UK ..❤️
Miles, I am truly touched by that - and, yes, it has been a long while and it is nice to know someone noticed. This year my family has been dealing with two big tasks as life got in the way - nothing life threatening but certainly complex, stressful and time consuming - and expensive. We are making excellent progress on both (especially one) and I will return to production when I can focus on the channel. I was working on Rumpole of the Bailey before life got in the way. Thanks for your kind letter.
Splendid stuff! You must watch and review "Withnail & I" the greatest British film ever made in my opinion. Subscribed!
Good one. I had never heard of this movie before. I'll put it on the teetering pile of movies and books I need to attend to.
Worth the short running time - and very good prints on youtube. The film was remastered about 15 years ago and looks great. Thanks for watching!
My favorite British centric movie, Goodbye , Mr Chips 1939. Best British centric movie, Lawrence of Arabia. I highly recommend the book , The Seven Pillars of Wisdom, by T.E. Lawrence.
I read a good chunk of Seven Pillars recently, it was a challenging read after the "simplicity" of the movie. I was also struck by the fact that experts say incidents such as his capture and abuse were his invention. Very complex man.
I do not know if you have seen i would suggest Hobson's Choice (1954).
Thanks. I have seen it some time ago and will add it to my list.
I enjoy watching these takes on movies from long gone eras, but honestly as a brit the society they inhabit is unrecognisable to me now.
Well, I'm not a Brit (I'm Canadian) but I love so much of the culture from Conan Doyle to the Specials to Rumpole to Parliamentary democracy to the old BBC, etc, etc, etc - heck, this channel was started to promote deserving Brit movies. And while it is good to welcome some change and diversity it would be a crime if that dynamic society and culture faded away - which as you say, is happening. (I visited London and the UK twice, in 1980 and 2015 and the changes were staggering.)