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Pardon me for beginning this way, but is this movie a copied storyline of the earlier film "Odette" (1951)? Both stories seem to run so parallel one can only wonder about it. On second thoughts perhaps not. We ought to realize how many dedicated people with strong convictions made the great sacrifice during the war. Violette Szabo (Virginia McKenna), as an appealing spy, felt duty bound to assist her country and was one of them who left all personal thought behind to do her duty. It's very dramatic and riveting as she faces the many dangers.

Really, Virginia McKenna gave a strong performance, very deserving of an Oscar, I'd say. War isn't glorious by any means. A serious film.

Carve Her Name with Pride (1958)

A resolutely respectful and consistent movie, powerful in a quiet way, and serious to the core. These aren't really adjectives for an amazing movie--and it's not amazing. The story is amazing, since it's true, a British woman going undercover in WWII and having to suffer badly at the hands of the Nazis. And the movie depends on the story, rather than the movie, to succeed.

It does, in fact, succeed. It's a moving story well told. It lacks drama, and is sometimes quietly sentimental, which is part of the point, giving a human side to the spy and war business. The leading woman is someone not well known to American audiences, a rather straight forward actress, Virginia McKenna. But you might remember her from "Born Free," a very different kind of role but needing the same sharp seriousness. She's still alive, gladly, and was even in a film in 2010.

The movie here needs drama, frankly. It takes half the film to reach the German conflict in France, and it comes to the real drama, the horrors of being caught, in the last half hour. Which is to say, be prepared for lots of preparation, well done, but preliminary, and purposely undramatic. By that last part is good wartime stuff, with a woman as the main figure in the fighting and the aftermath. The prison scenes are cold and harsh in their own way, and yet I don't quite believe it would have been quite so calmly paced and deliberate, even in the hands of the Germans happily in France.

This wonderful film is based quite closely on the real life exploits of a young girl born in London to an English father and a French mother.

Called upon at a time of national peril, she "did her duty".

The code-poem used in the film was the real code poem used by Violette Szabo while she was sending messages back from occupied France. The poem was written by 'Leo Marks' (qv) who was a cryptographer for SOE and often used poems like this for agents to use.

The life that I have is all that I have, The life that I have is yours.

The love that I have of the life that I have Is yours and yours and yours.

A sleep I shall have, A rest I shall have Yet death will be but a pause.

For the peace of my years In the long green grass Will be yours and yours and yours

Virginia McKenna does a great job of portraying unsung British war heroine Violetta Szabo. Paul Scofield, perhaps the greatest actor of his generation, is equally magnificent as Tony. Lewis Gilbert allows the tale to unfold without much pomp and fanfare but with crisp direction and solid supporting performances, this merely adds to its power. The resilient score is also worth noting. Every time I finish watching this film, I cry, then I want to watch it again.

The recent film Charlotte Gray attempted a similar theme, at ten times the cost (even inflation-adjusted), twice the length, and one-tenth the impact. If you've seen Charlotte Gray, and made it all the way through, see Carve Your Name With Pride. You will adore it.

When I first saw Carve Her Name with Pride recently, I have to say I was really moved. This film is truly remarkable, I do agree one of two of the characters are somewhat clichéd, but on the whole there is very little wrong I can say about Carve Her Name with Pride.

The film is beautifully shot, with stunning cinematography effortlessly capturing the scenery. The score is also highly effective, while the script is honest and truthful, with some humorous and romantic spots, and the story, which is based on truth, is a remarkable one. The direction is excellent, the film does move at a reasonable pace and the ending had me deeply moved. And I have to say the acting is really good, Virginia McKenna especially is outstanding in the lead role, while Jack Warner and Paul Scofield are both excellent.

All in all, it is a great film, underrated and somewhat affecting. See especially for McKenna. 9/10 Bethany Cox