Brown on Resolution

Notwithstanding the fact that 12 minutes has been edited out this is still an effective flag waver

"Born to Glory" is almost like two films in one. The first part, which is actually pretty much unnecessary, is about a simple sailor, Albert Brown (John Mills) meeting and marrying a woman. This portion is pleasant but not especially compelling. However, when Albert goes to to sea the film improves considerably...especially after war breaks out and Albert's ship is sunk by a German ship. He and what's left of the crew are taken prisoner by the same German ship...a ship damaged but not sunk in the encounter. Albert manages to escape and then wages a one man war on the Germans...shooting at them and harassing them as they try to repair their ship. It's all very exciting...and a great example of a simple individual rising to the occasion. Overall, this is a well made and inspiring film--one that gets better as the movie progresses.

Pre-WW2 propaganda piece proving that the British people have the sea in their veins and courage in their hearts. Sentiment and nationalism are laid on thickly and there are many special treats for those who enjoy watching model warships floating in a bathtub while pretending to shoot each other.

I doubt there'd have been a dry eye in the house during the 1930s but today you've really got to be in the mood for this kind of thing to rise above cliche. If you could happily watch "Mrs Miniver" or "Goodbye Mr Chips" tonight, then you're already in the right mood.

John Mills in one of his first starring roles gives a genuinely excellent performance as a heroic British naval seaman.

When his outmatched ship is sunk by a German one, John Mills is picked up by the Germans. When the Germans put into land to make repairs, Mills escapes with a rifle and determination that they will not make those repairs before a superior British ship can catch up with them.

It's a first for John Mills in a leading role -- although Betty Balfour as his mother is top-billed, her movie career was just about over. It's also a first credit for writer C.S. Forester, whose story this is based on.He wrote the novel on which the earlier PAYMENT DEFERRED (1932) was based, without a screen credit.

Director Walter Forde uses the skills he picked up in the silent cinema to tell the story visually; Mills' climbing atop the rocks and potting the repair workers is accompanied by some German speech, but Mills must use pantomime to convey his thoughts. It must have been an educational experience for his career, which would extend into the 21st Century.

When this film was remade by Fox in the fifties audiences were given a choice as to whether Brown lived or died.John Mills early in his film career gives an excellent performance as Brown.Also on his way up is a very young Jimmy Hanley.On her way down is Betty Balfour,star of the silent era,whose attempt at a comeback flopped.There were only two more film appearances after this.