This is seriously one of the most British films I’ve ever seen. Everything is so polite and about manner even when it comes to matters of life and death. Hell, the film telegraphs it’s Englishness with the opening scene when Candy exclaims, “War starts at midnight!” This could have been straight out of something like DR. STRANGELOVE, it’s comical. This comedy doesn’t diminish the seriousness of the film however, it actually makes it feel more alive. The friendship between Candy and Theo is so nice to see develop over film, especially in the beginning when it is hard for them to communicate with one another. The scene where Theo pleads his case to go to Britain during WWII is so well done as well. This is my favorite out of the Powell & Pressburger films I have seen so far, even though I have only seen this, BLACK NARCISSUS, and THE RED SHOES. The color of this film, as in the other Powell & Pressburger films is so vibrant and helps to give the film its character, although the character comes straight from the performance of Roger Livesey.
