Deciding for the final week of viewings for the ICM poll of the best films from 1942,I began digging into the mountain of unwatched DVD's from the year to view. Getting a copy ages ago,I was happy to spot this Carol Reed title,which turned out to be from '42,and led to me meeting Mr. Pitt.
View on the film:
Bringing a crane shot down to the packed House of Commons on his second "Costume" title, directing auteur Carol Reed outlines his more flamboyant side that would hit the high-notes decades later with Oliver! (1968), in Reed & cinematographer Freddie Young framing Pitt the Younger's patriotic speeches in vast wide-shots of crowds cheering him on,and the regal costumes being put on fully display in circling shots round the elegance. Despite being made for the war effort, Reed wonderfully finds spaces in the margins of speeches for his distinctive Film Noir stylisation, voted on in long, dark narrow shots riding with Pitt carriages and down the staircase of Number 10,as his long premiership leaves him surrounded by baying mobs,and becoming gripped by illness in the shadows.
Rather uniquely making long speeches in Parliament from the late 1700's-early 1800's be a call for the public to stay strong during WWII, Frank Launder reunites with Reed,and is joined by co-writers Viscount Castlerosse and Sidney Gilliat in thickly laying the message on thick, in Pitt's belief of defending the UK from being invaded, which is matched by his stubbornness against the public and fellow MP's to not sign a "peace" treaty that would give appeasement to Napoleon.
Determined to defeat the British on the high-seas, Herbert Lom gives a delirious,over ripe turn as Napoleon. Given extravagance speeches which bounce off John Mills quick-witted Wilberforce and Robert Morley's lively Charles James Fox, Robert Donat holds the moments of facing unpopularity with a quiet, contemplating thoughtfulness over entering the twilight, for young Mr. Pitt.
View on the film:
Bringing a crane shot down to the packed House of Commons on his second "Costume" title, directing auteur Carol Reed outlines his more flamboyant side that would hit the high-notes decades later with Oliver! (1968), in Reed & cinematographer Freddie Young framing Pitt the Younger's patriotic speeches in vast wide-shots of crowds cheering him on,and the regal costumes being put on fully display in circling shots round the elegance. Despite being made for the war effort, Reed wonderfully finds spaces in the margins of speeches for his distinctive Film Noir stylisation, voted on in long, dark narrow shots riding with Pitt carriages and down the staircase of Number 10,as his long premiership leaves him surrounded by baying mobs,and becoming gripped by illness in the shadows.
Rather uniquely making long speeches in Parliament from the late 1700's-early 1800's be a call for the public to stay strong during WWII, Frank Launder reunites with Reed,and is joined by co-writers Viscount Castlerosse and Sidney Gilliat in thickly laying the message on thick, in Pitt's belief of defending the UK from being invaded, which is matched by his stubbornness against the public and fellow MP's to not sign a "peace" treaty that would give appeasement to Napoleon.
Determined to defeat the British on the high-seas, Herbert Lom gives a delirious,over ripe turn as Napoleon. Given extravagance speeches which bounce off John Mills quick-witted Wilberforce and Robert Morley's lively Charles James Fox, Robert Donat holds the moments of facing unpopularity with a quiet, contemplating thoughtfulness over entering the twilight, for young Mr. Pitt.