Based on the true story of Lord Mountbatten’s destroyer, In Which We Serve is one of the most memorable British films made during World War II. Unfolding in flashback as survivors cling to a dinghy, the film interweaves the history of HMS Torrin with the onshore lives of its crew. The 1942 film was the inspiration of Noel Coward, who desperately wanted to do something for the war effort, and he produced, wrote the screenplay, composed the stirring score, and starred as Captain Edward Kinross. Coward also officially codirected, though he handed the reigns to David Lean (in his directorial debut). There is fine support from Celia Johnson and John Mills, as well as a star-making debut from an uncredited Richard Attenborough. The use of real navy and army personnel as extras, together with lavish studio production and authentic shipboard location footage, lends the film an unusual sense of realism. A landmark in the careers of many of the most important names in British film, this moving and occasionally harrowing classic has a vital place in the development of British cinema. –Gary S. Dalkin
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March 5, 2010
#1
Highly recommended,but,to many scenes of men bobbing around
in a life boat. Little action scenes and those that were seen
were not believable.
March 5, 2010
#2
As noted by P J Cosgrove – this is a docu/drama of Louis Mountbatten’s action off Crete in HMS Kelly. Noel Coward hero worshipped Mountbatten who was present for some of the filming. By that stage of the (real) war it was well known that aircraft would sink anything still in sight in daylight. Mountbatten stayed off Crete in daylight when he expressly knew he should not and paid the inevitable price. In reality Mountbatten was NOT sent back to sea or given another sea command.
Historically the film is interesting for the close ups of real WWII desroyer weapons systems in action and some impressive action shots.
It is also interesting in the context of propaganda/morale raising of the period. The home front scenes cut with the sea action gives context to both groups who endured the war.
However what is most significant is the portrayal of the social class system and how it is reflected aboard ship in the command structure. While never intended at the time – it is an interesting vignette for those who are interested in the history of the period. Things have moved on in the UK – but the classes are still there – and still as obnoxious….
March 5, 2010
#3
Yes, that about sums this one up. A shallow, little foray into depicting the warriors of the sea in their brave fight against fascism, meant to inspire patriotism and tear-jerking sentiment in the hearts of the good, common citizens of the British Empire. But, judging by the title alone, does one have any right in expecting anything OTHER than such from said film?
Additionally, it must be pointed out, one has but to look at our own (Yankee) roster of commercial films produced during (and shortly after) WWII, and notice a multitude of like-minded “war films” aiming at the same agenda.
I must say, “In Which We Serve” did serve up a very engaging opening battle sequence which is worthwhile as an insightful historical reference to how battle was conducted on the open seas during that time period. Also, the (all to) brief scenes at the very beginning of film showing the construction of the ship, were quite illuminating.
But then we get the flashbacks. (Virtually) every seaman clinging heroically to the life raft gets his own, in an attempt to pander sympathy for the poor devils. Wouldn’t be so bad, except that you realize everything to be glamourized and air-brushed. Even the soldier who clings on to life for the sake of his triflin’ ol “Kath” and his wretched bitty of a mother is given the glamour treatment. They should’ve shown this’un to Johnny Rotten, he would’ve coughed up bile an’ defecated blood! (Maybe they did!)
I have seen no other film that quite does as thorough a white-washing of “real-life” concerning the military and private lives of the men of the armed forces or their familes. Not to mention their depiction during the frantic, tense moments of combat! One doesn’t even have to research his credentials to quickly grasp that Noel Coward WAS NOT a combatant. (Even as bombs explode around them, soldiers remain cooly detached, some disappearing into the foamy waves still astride their guns, “givin’ ‘em bloody ‘ell” to the bitter end!)
Soldiers are, after all, complex individuals (as opposed to the robots their superiors try to turn them into, I should know!), for they are, after all, flesh-and-blood men!! Even the wife who toasts her “rival” and her stoutest enemy, the HMS Torrin, is able to swing the thing 180 and give the men all the backing she can muster, in the end.
One must be careful in judging the factors at play in any given historical period, and try his/her utmost not to view them in the lights of their own era, but rather in context of what was happening in the world at the time. This I trully endeavor to do, but I assure you, even doing such, one instantly recognizes great leaps in reason and reality all throughout this film. But, that is to be expected of a war-time, propaganda picture. I just thought perhaps David Lean would have a different take on it all. But, come to find out, this is not his film (didn’t realize it was his directorial debut), rather that of the eager, flag-waving succubus credited as Noel Coward.
I am a big fan of David Lean, esp. his apt portrayal of the Dickens novels “Oliver Twist” and “Great Expectations”. The man was a genius. I watched this film after researching his filmography. I guess we all have to start somewhere– but this one will not be occupying space within the archives of my film library next to those titles. A weak plot with two (sometimes one)-dimensional characters, with no real social insight, this film has little redeeming value apart from a few moments of battle footage. Of course, the War Dept. and military brass would readily disagree. After all, this is a film that does not indict war for the horror that it is, but rather willfully embraces it and shows how “real” men are forged through the glory of combat. (And other age-old whimsy.)
In sumation:
If you believe in the precepts of “Duty, God and Country”, you can do no better than this film.
If you believe that war is manipulated by global powers and no amount of glorifying can beautify its horrifying face, you will feel cheated and agitated by “In Which We Serve”.
As a sterilized ballad to the armed forces, I give it 5 stars; as any sort of portrayal of “real life”, I give it the lowest possible grade.
March 5, 2010
#4
As noted by P J Cosgrove – this is a docu/drama of Louis Mountbatten’s action off Crete in HMS Kelly. Noel Coward hero worshipped Mountbatten who was present for some of the filming. By that stage of the (real) war it was well known that aircraft would sink anything still in sight in daylight. Mountbatten stayed off Crete in daylight when he expressly knew he should not and paid the inevitable price. In reality Mountbatten was NOT sent back to sea or given another sea command.
Historically the film is interesting for the close ups of real WWII desroyer weapons systems in action and some impressive action shots.
It is also interesting in the context of propaganda/morale raising of the period. The home front scenes cut with the sea action gives context to both groups who endured the war.
However what is most significant is the portrayal of the social class system and how it is reflected aboard ship in the command structure. While never intended at the time – it is an interesting vignette for those who are interested in the history of the period. Things have moved on in the UK – but the classes are still there – and still as obnoxious….
March 5, 2010
#5
This WWII movie has Noel Coward written all over it. He acts in it, co-directs it with David Lean, and produced it. This movie goes into a great deal of detail about the life of the destroyer, her majesty’s ship Torrin, and the crew on her. There is some action during fights with airplanes and ships, but most of the movie is centered on reflecting back on times aboard ship and on shore with families after the ship is sunk. These memories occur while they are trying to survive in a lifeboat while being strafed by German bombers. You genuinely feel you know what it was like for British Naval families when the movie is over. The level of detail is incredible. You will feel like you are right there with them. This seems a little bit like a documentary story but it does have live action throughout. You will see numerous familiar faces if you are a fan of classic British cinema. As some others mentioned the only negative is overly stiff acting by Coward even for playing a ships Captain. The rest the cast played their parts beautifully. I recommend it.