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.

Ian Richardson is excellent in the role of the Islands Governor. A well paced and directed film with excellent special effects, costuming, scripting and direction.

User - "dinoangeloni" - I have this on DVD - leave a message if you still interested in owning it (20 years later).

A recreation of the first 36 hours of the Falklands conflict. Bob Peck plays Major Mike Norman, who has only recently arrived on the island to take over from Major Noot. Ian Richardson is Governor Sir Rex Hunt, who has only 70 Royal Marines to see off the entire Argentinian invasion fleet. Amid the confusion, several of the islanders simply go about their daily business; one lady offers the Marines tea over her garden fence.

A must see. A normal movie based on as we all know a true story. It's a human story, not like most movies seem to be nowadays all about the ridiculous unrealistic exploding car turning machine gun fire nobody killing action. It's about life how it was and how the locals experienced the events taking place. The story line as pictured says it all really. Having been to the Falklands numerous times it's easy to recognize the town, the buildings, the way the people just are, how British they are and proud of it. The movie has besides some well filmed action, where even the proudest and bravest sh.. in their pants of fear, also a lot of humor and just real life stories in it. The tension of the few days the movie covers is very well depicted, you feel one with the characters, you feel like if you were there at the time. And, it's the Falkland Islands, not the M....... as the Argentinians keep trying to make us say. The history of who would have the rights to these islands point to many different directions, but not to Argentina.