A couple of years ago I was bobby-dazzled by a Brit film called "Saloon Bar" (1940), starring Gordon Harker. Of its type, I think it is still one of the best-made Brit films of all time, and I've enjoyed re-watching it a couple more times. It's the kind of film that one wonders nearly out-loud, "How did this fall through the cracks? Where's it been? It should be much better known!"
Well, last night I had the same kind of experience with another Brit film, "Ourselves Alone" (1936), with John Lodge, John Loder, Antoinette Cellier, Niall MacGinnis, Clifford Evans, Jerry Verno, Maire O'Neill, and Bruce Lester. The title of the film is basically an English translation of Sinn Féin, an Irish language phrase used by Irish Nationalists as a political slogan. (Those Irish PC advocates will say, "No! The genuine translation is "We Ourselves"!") Many, upon watching, will immediately compare it to "The Informer", a Brit made film from 1929 or its more recognized American re-make of 1935, directed by John Ford. Many films about the IRA were made during the 20's and 30's. "Ourselves Alone" has a new transfer from original film elements by Network StudioCanal. It is simply superb! This was directed by Brian Desmond Hurst and Walter Summers. Hurst studied under John Ford, and the two remained lifelong friends. "Ourselves Alone" was banned in Northern Ireland at its release.
Set during the Anglo-Irish War of 1919-1921, the film deals with a traitor in the midst, just like "The Informer", and there's a love story of a Black and Tan officer, John Lodge, and an Irish household lady, Antoinette Cellier. However, there's also the love story of Antoinette Cellier and John Loder, also a Black and Tan officer (under John Lodge) which creeps up to complicate this complicated story. You see, Antoinette Cellier's brother (Niall MacGinnis) is a secret IRA leader. Even she doesn't realize that important fact.
Suffice it to say that this is told about as excitingly as any film can be! It's genuinely great. There's not a let-up in the action at any time, and the suspense never ceases. There's even the typical Brit humour man thrown in for good measure. Jerry Verno was outstanding at playing such characters, and from the very beginning of the film, when we see Verno driving an armored truck that evidently has mucho mechanical problems, he is seen comically complaining about the truck and how many more miles he and his cronies have to go: will he/they make it? The other thing about this film that is so very true: they had faces then. The saying is so very apt for this film. There's a scene near the beginning where the camera does a 360° pan of a room in a pub while Cavan O'Connor sings a song. The faces are priceless. They tell a story in themselves, and the culture of 30's Brit films is captured ridiculously well. Indeed, the photography is gripping in the film altogether, and the sets gritty enough to make the viewer feel them.
Interesting seeing the future 50th governor of the state of Connecticut, John Lodge, playing a leading part in this. Remember, his grandfather was Henry Cabot Lodge! What is fascinating, too, is seeing John Loder as a Black and Tan here. In 1916, at the surrender of Dublin to General Lowe by Pádraig Pearse at the Easter Rising, John Loder (born Lowe, and son of the general) accompanied his father. There's a picture of all three together still extant. Though he was enlisted as a British officer at the time, John Loder was not directly involved in the fighting.
Very highly recommended!
