Very Important Person

When this movie came out, World War II had been over for nearly 16 years. Time, with God's mercy, had healed most wounds of those who had lost loved ones and of those who had suffered as German prisoners of war. Of course, the horrors of war, especially the atrocities committed by the Nazis in the Holocaust, are never forgotten by those who lived through them. But, enough time had passed that civilized peoples could now look back on some of the times and situations of the war years with some humor. Allied military prisoners in POW camps were treated far better than were the civilians in the notorious Nazi concentration camps. So, the POW camps are the milieu of the first and many of the humorous films about the war that were made in the 1960s and later. This British film is one of, if not the first comedy set in a POW camp.

It's not a comedy of witty dialog or humorous lines, but one that is mostly situational, based on various characters. James Robertson Justice plays the main character around whom the whole plot plays out. He is Sir Ernest Pease, a brilliant, no-nonsense scientist who is the director of Applied Aeronautical Science in England. When he wants to fly over Germany to see how well his latest project is working, he is given the identity of Lt. Farrow of the Royal Navy. His plane is hit by flak and he falls through a hole blown in the fuselage. That's how he came to be in a POW camp after his parachute got caught in a tree.

A number of other characters contribute to the humorous situations. Stanley Baxter has a double role, playing Jock Everett, the master tunnel digger, and the camp commander, Kommandant Stamfel. There's more to this than is said here, but that's to be seen in watching the film. Leslie Phillips plays Flying Officer Jimmy Cooper, and Jeremy Lloyd plays his friend Flt. Lt. Bonzo Baines. Several others have lesser supporting roles, but the best among them is John Le Mesurier who plays the escape officer, Piggot, and Eric Sykes who plays the sports officer, Willoughby..

"Very Important Person" was the original title of the film, and considering the subject and plot it seems much more on point than "A Coming-Out Party." The April 1961 film was released in the UK under its original title. The revised title may have been chosen to reflect on the TV celebration of the main character's life as well as his getting out of a POW camp. Perhaps someone thought the connection to a popular TV show would draw more audience.

Most of the film takes place in a flashback as Sir Pease is on the popular TV program, "This is Your Life." An American live radio show by that tittle began in 1948 and ran through 1952 when it then became a live TV program. The BBC copied the program and began airing its live version, under the same title, in 1955. This was one of the most popular shows in the history of TV in both the U.S. and England. The English program ran, with some short interludes when it changed productions, until 1987.

More to the point on this movie, though, is the fact that it seemed to spark interest in POW camps of WW II, for both drama and comedy in movies and TV programs. Two years later, probably the most popular POW drama movie of all time was made by the Mirisch Company in Germany and distributed by United Artists. "The Great Escape" was one of the most star-studded films of all time, with top American and British actors of the day. Steve McQueen, James Garner, Charles Bronson and James Coburn head the American cast. Richard Attenborough, Donald Pleasence, Gordon Jackson, and David McCallum head the UK cast.

The next big POW story success was the TV comedy series, "Hogan's Heroes." It was hugely popular and made stars of a number of actors including Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer and John Banner. The series ran seven years on CBS, 1965-1971.

So, "A Coming-Out Party," or, "Very Important Person" had an effect beyond the entertainment of audiences in 1961. It helped open the door for more than three decades of POW and escape movies, for situational comedies in POW films, and for outright comedy in TV programs. While this movie isn't anywhere near the level of "The Great Escape" for drama, or "Hogan's Heroes" for comedy, most people should enjoy it. War film and history buffs, especially, should find it entertaining

Here are some favorite lines from this film.

Lt. Farrow, "Cooking requires no intelligence. Whereas otherwise, women would be no good at it."

Kommandant Stamfel, "Move on, English Swine." Jock Everett, "Scottish swine!"

Jock Everett, "Who'd be damn fool enough to start a tunnel under a bunk?... Yes, well."

Jimmy Cooper, 'Now look here, Farrow. If dear old Winston wants you home, I'd be only delighted to give you some of my filthy food."

Lt. Farrow, "There is enough air in that tunnel to last any normal man between 12 and 16 hours. For a man like myself in a state of suspended animation, it's possible to remain even longer."

Jock Everett, "What are you lookin' at me like that for?" Jimmy Cooper, "The height's right. The same build. The same shifty eyes. He's a natural." Everett, "You mind your own business, Cooper."

VERY IMPORTANT PERSON

(USA: Coming-Out Party)

Aspect ratio: 1.66:1

Sound format: Mono

(Black and white)

Internees at a German POW camp plot the escape of a high-ranking British scientist (James Robertson Justice) who has fallen into enemy hands.

Entertaining mixture of comedy and drama, directed with cut-throat efficiency by Ken Annakin (later responsible for blockbusters like BATTLE OF THE BULGE and CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG), and headlined by some of the most popular names in contemporary British cinema, including Leslie Phillips and Jeremy Lloyd as upper-class comic relief, and Stanley Baxter playing dual roles as a temperamental Scottish prisoner and an unpleasant Nazi officer (when the German calls him a 'British swine', Baxter retorts with haughty pride: "SCOTTISH swine!"). Robertson is at his most gruff and lovable here, initially appalled by the company he's forced to keep in the POW camp, then quietly appreciative of the lengths these 'idiots' will go to secure his safety. The tone is pretty low-key, which means the film isn't always as funny or as suspenseful as it could have been, but it's a hugely enjoyable treat nonetheless. Eric Sykes, Richard Wattis and John Le Mesurier are featured in supporting roles.

Sir Ernest Pease is sucked out of an aeroplane and captured by the Germans, and promptly interred at a POW camp. Naturally he refuses to give the Germans any information, and carrying his surly approach into his bunking quarters doesn't endear him to his fellow prisoners. But word comes thru from the hierarchy that Pease is so important on account of his scientific knowledge, he must escape at all costs. Thus this odd group of people must unite to get the old curmudgeon free.

Written by the men behind some of Norman Wisdom's most well known offerings {Henry Blyth & Jack Davies} and starring such British comedy luminaries like James Robertson Justice, Leslie "Hello" Phillips, Stanley Baxter, John Le Mesurier and Eric Sykes. Well it isn't rocket science to work out what type of film you are in for. Competently made at Beaconsfield Studio for Independent Artists,Very Important Person is practically a goofy version of the Great Escape {made two years later I hasten to add}. The Germans are of course portrayed as clueless dunderheads, and the British prisoners get by with a stiff upper lip and using humour as ultra sharp defence mechanisms.

So nothing new here for those that have sat thru many a 50s and 60s British war comedy, but the cast and writing is so engaging it's easy to forgive the familiarity of it all. Carried easily by the broad presence of James R Justice as Pease {fans of the Doctor franchise will love him here}, it's a film that knows it's a simple piece. It exists purely to induce a giggle, maybe even stir a bit of pride, and with its ending-actually has something to say as regards its main character. It's real light stuff that isn't the least bit dramatic {as some on line reviewers have suggested}, kind of like like a light wafer biscuit, you know it's a snack and that's really all you need to make you temporarily fulfilled. 6.5/10

Very Important Person combines elements of the Carry On films, The Great Escape and Hogan's Heroes to produce a lighthearted low budget British Comedy that is surprisingly effective. Many of the stalwarts from this era are here with John Le Mesurier, Stanley Baxter, Eric Sykes in supporting roles. I wouldn't have been at all surprised to see Sid James turning up somewhere.

James Roberson Justice is excellent in his role as the cantankerous Very Important Person. There are lots of stiff upper lips and "tickety boos" from the British and the German officers are typically cast as foolish buffoons. This must have all been an inspiration for Hogan's Heroes but a very long way from the reality of prisoner of war camps.

Overall, VIP is a fine example of British Comedy from the 60s and is well worth a look.

This comedy-thriller gives an unexpectedly authentic look to a German prisoner of war camp, suggesting a practical knowledge of the subject from some of those involved in the making of the film.

I remember seeing this film on TV as a kid, and enjoying it immensely. Recently, it cropped up on UK's Channel Four, and it was still just as entertaining and oddly touching.

James Robertson Justice gives a great performance as the grouchy, but underneath it all, sensitive boffin, and it's a real treat to see the young Eric Sykes, Stanley Baxter and Leslie Phillips all relishing their work. Wonderful support also in the always solid and dependable forms of John Le Mesurier and Richard Watiss. Many other familiar faces from films of the era add to the overall success of this movie. A very British little gem of a movie.