alexander_caughey

A war time dedication to the cadets of the Air force Academy, with the Fascist input noticeably very low key. The opening credits state that many of the "extras", actual cadets, are either dead or invalids, at the time of the film's release. By the time the picture was ready for circulation, Italy's fortunes were at a very low ebb and this work brings this home to the cinema audience. This memorial says alot about the friendships that had been created during the cadets training period, with the usual romantic interludes and some daring action scenes. A very fresh faced Alberto Sordi features as one the "heroes". This semi-propaganda work can best be understood as a willingness of the producers to put a brave face on a worsening situation for Italy, by revealing the human being behind the uniform. Definitely not jingoistic, nor to be considered a fascist picture, rather, a salute to the men of the Aeronautica Italiana, who shortly after the release of this film were to be fighting for the Allied cause.

Finding simple words for this portrayal of humanity and its many frailities, would say little of the creatures of love and suffering so lovingly brought into focus by John Ford's willingness to emphasise the faults and weaknesses of the anti-hero priest, as well as to spotlight the strengths of the judas informer and his awakening to the light of understanding in his clear awareness that he is responsible for the death of a fine man, who also happens to be a priest. That film noire camera/lighting techniques feature prominently also serves the surrealistic atmosphere that envelopes this wonderful work of art dedicated to the best and worst in all of us.

Great morale booster for the British people, with another World War looming. Shows the bonding between British and Indians that contributed to the long sojourn of the British in India. Definitely a boy's film with all the majesty that the Empire films of the thirties could muster for audiences suffering from economic depression and worries over the rise of fascism and its onward march. Roger Livesey's character brings to life the type of relationship that so many British civilians and civil servants enjoyed with Indians, so sadly ignored/forgotten in the interest of history revision and political correctness.