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Went The Day Well? [1942]
![Went The Day Well? [1942]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TN9VWS7XL._SL160_.jpg)
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This really is VERY good
Review date: 2008-04-26 Rating: 10 out of 10
I was not expecting this to be so good, being a propaganda film, but this was engrossing and suspenseful and some of what happens, quite believable.
It really is quite a brutal film but as another reviewer point out, the actual acts of violence are mostly not seen, but can be imagined. Such as the grenade incident near the very end.
Did Jack Higgins get his inspiration for 'The Eagle has landed' from this ? In the book of 'Eagle' it begins with a grave being discovered with German names on it, as does this film.
Watching this made a refreshing change from multi million dollar blockbusters full of the same cliched phrases and unimaginative story lines.
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Reviews
Great Wartime Propaganda
Review date: 2007-11-11 Rating: 10 out of 10
This film was made while WW2 was still raging, yet is told in flashback from a time of peace. It is easy to miss that now, but it carried a very strong message that the war would end, and that the British would win.
For me this film typifies the spirit of determination and sacrifice that the Government needed during the war. The most unlikely characters give their all, in an attempt to foil a German invasion.
Others have mentioned the good cast and strong performances. My special 'look out for' recommendation goes to a young Patricia Hayes.
It is low budget and simply produced, but this was a nation on its knees, calling all of it's citizens to do whatever they were able to assist the desperate war effort.
During WWII, the villagers of Bromley End do what they must to defend not just themselves, but England
Review date: 2007-06-02 Rating: 8 out of 10
Went the Day Well? is one of the British war movies made during WWII that were meant to strengthen morale and inspire steadfastness. The little English village of Bromley End welcomes a large number of Royal Engineers who are to work on a secret project. However, the Royal Engineers in reality are English-speaking German soldiers in British uniforms, parachuted into England to set up a counter radar apparatus which will disrupt England's radar network.
Gradually the villagers begin to suspect things aren't right, and then realize what they're dealing with. The Germans cordon off the village and show their true, ruthless nature. The villagers need to break through the cordon to alert authorities and get help. They also decide they must take action themselves to stop the Germans. This is complicated because the village houses a traitor. The climax is the Battle of Bromley End, with British Home Guard troops arriving while the Germans, attacking the manor house where they must set up their equipment, are held off by the brave men and women of the village.
You'll recognize some fine actors: Leslie Banks, David Farrar, Thora Hird, Basil Sydney, Mervyn Johns among others. The film is a well-constructed and effective bit of wartime home-front propaganda.
Very good
Review date: 2007-04-18 Rating: 8 out of 10
This film is a very well made 2nd World War story, which is based on a short story by Graham Greene.
The acting is generally very good, although there was one officer who struck me as being particularly wooden, but his was a small part and of little consequence. There are quite a few memorable scenes in this film which (for 1942) are very tense. Interestingly it is the British who commit the more horrible acts of violence, whereas the Germans are mostly portrayed in quite a good light.
Unlike a modern film the acts of violence in this film were never shown in graphic detail, but surprisingly the film made it quite obvious what was about to happen, even if they couldn't show the detail. In this respect another aspect of the films strengths was the cinematography.
My only other criticism is that the surprise element in the film is removed by the introduction by one of the villagers at the start of the film. Overall though this is one of the very best 2nd world war films made at the time I have ever seen. Strongly recommended.
Terrific piece of suspense
Review date: 2007-03-31 Rating: 10 out of 10
An engaging and suspense-laden drama based on the notion that Germans infiltrate a small English village as the vanguard for an invasion of the country. Although the characters are by and large stereotypical (redoubtable lady of the manor, plucky land-girls, fragile but courageous vicar's daughter etc), the film is a fascinating snap-shot of techniques designed to keep the audience on the edge of their seats, and despite the black-and-white film and the classic RP accents, it achieves that completely. Both my nine-year old son and I were enthralled by the film. A tightly-scripted, well-crafted tale based on a Graham Greene short story that serves its purpose and continues to entertain, 65 years on.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Leslie Banks
Valerie Taylor
Marie Lohr
C.V. France
Basil Sydney
Director(s):
Recording label: Optimum Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Optimum Home Entertainment
EAN: 5060034577249
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Black & White, PAL,
Release date: 2006-11-13
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 89 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1942-12-07
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: German (Original Language)