An Ungentlemanly Act

This was a very well made TV movie about the Falklands War. Up until that time, the war was depicted in very negative and anti-British terms with efforts like "Sink The Belgrano" (the British as war-mongers) and "Tumbledown" (the British army treats its men with contempt). This is a more balanced effort, and is all the better for it. The Falkland Islands and its people are depicted as a quaint, small town British community, almost like a corner of Somerset or Yorkshire. They live a life that almost embodies an earlier, stereotypical 1950's way far removed from cosmopolitan London. The theme of the film is that of violation. When the Argentinians threaten to invade, the locals close ranks and prepare for the worst; even though they're not sure what that will entail. The Royal Marines, professional to the last, won't give in that easily; they don't want their honour violated. The DJ refuses to have his station violated, the defenders of Government house don't even want the vegetable patch violated. The Argentinians are not the focus of the story and their point of view isn't really delved into; suffice to say General Mendoza comes across as a reasonable person, but a few of his officers are shown as brutal thugs who can't wait to impose their ways on the islanders.

The film came out when anti-Thatcher bias in the British media was high, and it's not an anti-Thatcher piece at all. It goes a little into the British seeming to reduce their commitment to the islands at the beginning, but the impression I was left with was that the islanders were absolutely horrified to be taken over by Argentina. It pits the olde-worlde British village life against the Banana Republic army boot. The acting is first rate (have Ian Richardson or the late lamented Bob Peck ever put in a bad performance?) and the production values are very good.

Fine performances by Ian Richardson and Bob Peck underpin this gripping and moving account of the first days of the 1982 Falklands War, as the Islands are invaded by the Argentinians. As Governor Rex Hunt, Richardson brings a nobility and sympathy to the role of a minor, passed-over British diplomat abandoned by his government in London and faced with the impossible task of directing the defence of the islands against an imminent invasion. The defending British Marines are commanded by Major Mike Norman (Bob Peck), an experienced, cynical soldier aware he will have to fight against impossible odds, yet determined to resist for the honour of the Royal Marines. His speech to his men on the eve of battle is a moving and inspiring moment.

The accuracy and the attention to detail in this movie is explained by much of the filming taking place in the Falklands, and Mike Norman himself acting as military adviser. The combat scenes are intense and graphic, yet emphasis is also placed on the black humour and irreverence so integral to military life, demonstrating the irrepressible character of the British Marines.

The attention to the Argentinian side is less three-dimensional, but the enemy soldiers are largely portrayed as human beings, unlike so many flag-waving war movies.

The Falkland Islanders appear as eccentric figures, bemused by the events which have overtaken their forgotten corner of the south Atlantic. The local radio presenter in particular is a gem, refusing politely to accede to Argentinian threats as a gun is held to his head. Apparently, after this film was released in the UK, some islanders disassociated themselves from their portrayal in the movie, but contemporary accounts by soldiers and journalists who served in the Falklands during and after the war would seem to lend credence to the impression that these transplanted Brits are indeed an odd bunch.

The savage and tragic war to retake the islands in the months that followed has tended to overshadow the story of the invasion itself, but this thoughtful movie provides a fine testament to the courage and steadfastness of the outnumbered, yet unflappable, British soldier, and is an accurate and thoughtful study of a near-forgotten episode of recent history.

Nothing against him as an actor, he's a very good one, but I couldn't think of anyone less well suited to playing Rex Hunt. Ian Richardson is the English Home Counties personified (see him in Francis Urquhart) and Rex Hunt is a Yorkshireman. He could have least have dyed his hair - Hunt didn't have grey hair then, and for all I know, doesn't now!

I wasn't aware that it was filmed in the Falklands, which must have been more than a bit disconcerting for the locals. If I'd been there during the Argentine occupation, the last thing I'd want to hear would be the Argentine national anthem, and the last thing I'd want to see would be cars driving on the right!

Even if you never never heard of the Falklands War of 1982, you really need to watch this film. It was all filmed in and around Government House, Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands..

The film is fantastic, very authentic even down to the weapons used at the time.. Some great one liners, great dialogue and good action.

I highly recommend this movie! 5/5

So I give it 10 stars - as I write, rated 7.2 from 224 votes - this says it all.

If you have found your way here, and are thinking of watching this film, then don't think twice, regardless of your nationality (including Argentinian/Spanish/South American), this is a great film.

You can watch it with anyone from around 11 years old upwards - even with your granny, and everybody will enjoy the fully immersive experience, that introduces you to, and embeds you in....

... another way of living your life. A strange, yet not strange, life of Britishness in the deep South Atlantic. (so much so that afterwards, many Argentine soldiers talked of the culture shock of fighting for a land that they thought was Argentina, but possessed nothing of Argentina).

But this is NO 'slow build up to ten minutes of action'. 'Action' is pregnant in the air; it comes thick and fast, and the birth isn't easy.

Death is not pleasant at the best of times.... but when it's slow, and just a few feet away from you... yet somehow 'understandable', almost 'normal' (somebody to avoid as you dash for cover... yet not notice because you're dashing for cover).

History itself dealt the perfect cards for this movie, with the threads of island life portrayed in parallel to the bombshell 'last minute knowledge' that an invading force was just a few hours away....

... and the fight was going to be deadly.

You can believe the almost incomprehensible scenario of a foreign power 'actually invading British territory in 1982'.

The shock of this is temporarily diminished, due to the island's size and location (though those thoughts are quickly cast aside by the real life protocols mixed with real life 'tea and cakes'.)

How would the Governor react? The Royal Marines? The population?

We immediately learn the answer to those questions.

The tension ramps up, and the viewer is carried on a wave that is most definitely going to crash.

Everybody knows the conclusion to the Falklands war... but we don't know how this story will end.

Engrossing, intimate, comical, enlightening, violent, sad, joyous, gritty. This movie has it all in spades (along with a pre-fight speech that is all the more awesome by the fact that it was actually delivered to the troops).

At the end (in the wrap)... well... look into the eyes of Major Mike Norman (Bob Peck)... what horrors did he see, when he went back, to re-take the Falklands.

After watching this film.... don't delay.... make sure you watch 'The Falklands Play' to discover what was happening in London at the same time.

Enjoy and reflect.