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Fair Stood The Wind For France...A Love Story [1980]


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Wishy-washy Vichy
Review date: 2008-05-20 Rating: 6 out of 10

The story is that the crew of a British bomber in WW2, flying damaged back from a mission over Italy, bale out, three of them (captain and two NCO's) stay with the plane, which crashes, near a farm somewhere in the East of the German-occupied zone (i.e. before the Germans occupied all of France in 1942). They prefer that to the Vichy zone because they imagine the Vichy authorities will be harsher. This is in fact inaccurate historically, in that escapers in the Vichy zone, until 1942-43, were often left alone, either by means of a "blind eye" on the part of some police officials etc, or even officially. It is not generally known that, in fact, the UK kept an operating Consulate at Marseilles until mid-1942, two yers after Dunkirk!

In this story, the officer's arm has to be amputated. He is cared for by the farming family near where they landed. He forms a consensual and sudden attachment with the farmer's daughter, while the other two are smuggled out. One of those loses his nerve and opens fire at a checkpoint, causing a load of hostages to be shot. As to the officer, he and the girl depart by rowboat and then bicycle for the Vichy zone and Marseilles. I have to say that their relationship seems to be based on some sex and (in the absence of his speaking French, though the girl speaks English) some basic communication, mostly whining complaints on his side. It is hard to feel much sympathy for him (despite the amputated arm) or the others. At least two of the three are just ignorant ingrates and, while it is not true (again...) that the Germans always shot harbourers of evaders, the French people involved were usually imprisoned. The British evaders should have been a lot more polite, really, though it could be argued that this series did show what some people WERE like, meaning not all stiff-upper-lipped gentlemen...

Eventually, they all head for some reason back into the German zone at Biarritz, with the aim of crossing into Spain. The ending is somewhat dramatic but not much engaging. A dud.

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Reviews


Dull and hammy
Review date: 2008-04-14 Rating: 4 out of 10

What a load of contrived tripe. The story drags on and on without a trace of humour or realism. If they ever give oscars for looking dumb and bewildered this film will pick up the lot. The two leads spend most of their time staring at each other breaking silence only to deliver some dour meaningless comment.
I have not read the book but it is difficult to believe it gives HE Bates any justice.
At one stage two English aviators try to look inconspicuous in a French occupied town whist holding a loud conversation in English. Who directed this? - I hope it his last.

GREAT CLASSIC DRAMA
Review date: 2006-09-06 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is a great series and great to see now in dvd,one of the best wartime dramas to ever reach our screens,based on the book of the same name by H.E Bates the series does the book credit,great casting and locations ,I was interested to learn that some of the filming was done at Warmington Mill near Oundle,Northants,and also the featured the Nene Valley Railway at Wansford.The book was chosen as celebration of the authors works and was featured in H.E Bates centenery celebrations in 2005 in the one county one book.with so much interest this will become a best seller before long..they simply dont make them like that anymore

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Cecile Paoli
David Beames
John Flanagan

Creators:
David Beames (Primary Contributor)
Cecile Paoli (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: Acorn Media
Manufacturer: Acorn Media
EAN: 5036193094705
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2006-08-07
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 218 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1980
Language: English (Original Language)

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