Malta Story

Looking at the full cast list there is an actor Richard Leven - Soldier (uncredited). Richard (born Henry Richard Leven) was starting out after the war in theatre which never took off but his life was colourful and like many ex-servicemen there were difficult periods. His role during the war was a bomber pilot and he was a Squadron Leader at the age of 21. He was highly decorated, DFC, DFM and Belgium Croix de Guerre Palme and he flew more daylight bombing missions than any other pilot - 127. He died without family but at his funeral in 97 they had to start the service early; so many people wanted to speak about him and how he had helped them.

I have not seen this film for many years and was interested to see it again on Talking Pictures last night.I was in Malta just over 2 months ago.I recognised so many features from this film.I visited the war tunnels and the ops room depicted in this film as well as the citadel.The film was a fairly faithful depiction of events.It is a pity they decided to include a silly love story.Alec Guineas is woefully miscast as an RAF pilot.

Having just read "Tobruk" by Chester Wilmot, a journalist who spent time in the Tobruk siege and reported diligently about it, this piece informed me of another similar siege that I was unaware of. The use of archive footage is fascinating, mixed in with a simple story of love that feels lighter and without the moralising heaviness and embarrassing "post modern" pretensions of many modern day films ... especially war films. Very much a product of it's time ... they really don't make them like this anymore. Some of it feels like a War time moral raising film. I even thought it was made in the war until I found out the 1953 date. But memories were still strong in those days of course, so there is a flavour of a story burning to be told to the world before times move on.

"The Malta Story" isn't a particularly memorable War film. It is rather routine and ordinary and Alec Guinness isn't exactly having to stretch his acting muscles that much. That isn't meant as a criticism necessarily. I'm guessing the actor felt that "The Malta Story" was a bit less demanding after reading his copy of the script. Therefore, his approach to the film was to make enough effort with his performance to be professional. If that were the case, his approach was the correct one. For all his versatility, Alec Guinness just doesn't convince in the scenes as the "romantic lover." The story concerns the R.A.F being stationed in Malta (and filmed there) and Alec Guinness playing just one of many pilots who have been posted. The narrative doesn't seem to rise above the ordinary, just as with the dialogue. It is the kind of dialogue that has been repeated many a time in War films but with more imagination. Jack Hawkins does his usual as the posh, stiff upper lip character whilst cast as a commanding officer. He was never one of the most exciting actors in the world but is ok here. The two leading ladies have little to do or to offer. The romantic subplot is utterly pointless and adds nothing to this film. Anthony Steel - totally forgotten these days - is merely a "pretty boy" name with no acting ability whatever. He soon faded from public memory by the early 1960s and good riddance! The location photography may benefit "The Malta Story" from a technical standpoint but it can't disguise the boring script and pace. Luckily, such a distinguished actor like Alec Guinness will be long remembered for his defining films. There is no way that the above War film can be mentioned in the same breath as "Ice Cold in Alex," "Dunkirk" or "I Was Monty's Double."

Very much a weekend afternoon film now, almost 50 years after it was made, this film gives an accurate portrayal of the wartime events which led to Malta's being awarded the George Cross. The footage of the air and sea battles is fascinating, but the acting is sadly wooden.

Jack Hawkins turns in his usual competent performance, but Alec Guiness is very bland. Flora Robson is an unlikely Maltese mother, symbolising the suffering of the island people. The other credited actresses, Muriel Pavlow and Renee Asherson, appear almost catatonic, and the two love affairs are utterly unconvincing.

A lot of the entertainment lies in spotting well-known faces in their younger days! No surprise to see Victor Maddern and Sam Kydd (whinging, but getting the job done!), Gordon Jackson (uncredited), a very young Rosalie Crutchley and an (almost) unrecognisable Nigel Stock!

Watch this to learn about Malta's wartime history, but choose another film if you want to see these famous names acting with some passion!