Heureux mortels

The movie narrates the happenings of a British family since the first world war (1914-18) until the end second world war (1939-45) . The parents (Robert Newton and Celia Johnson) , the troubled and rebel daughter (Kay Walsh) , the friendly neighbor (Stanley Holloway) , the seaman son (John Mills) and others . Meanwhile , being reflected the course of time and are succeeding various historic deeds , thus : the first and second world wars , the soldiers recruitment , death of the king George , the jolly reception to Minister Chamberlain after the useless Munich Convention with Hitler , the trenches digging in preventing the bombing over London by the Germans .

The movie is interpreted by the greatest English actors with important careers . Robert Newton (Treasure island) , Celia Johnson (Brief encounter) , John Mills (Daughter of Ryan), Kay Walsh (Oliver Twist), Stanley Holloway (My fair lady) . Colorful and glittering cinematography by Ronald Neame , a future director with many successes (Adventure of the Poseidon) . Musical conducting by Muir Mathieson , habitual of English classic films , as he was director of symphonic orchestra of London . The picture begins and finishes with a camera travelling from exterior and interior home what it subsequently would be copied in a lot of films (for example : The Family by the director Ettore Scola) . The motion picture was perfectly directed by David Lean considered the greatest British filmmaker . Rating : Awesome . Above average.

This British Technicolor domestic drama from Eagle-Lion and director David Lean charts 20 years in the life of the Gibbons family, from 1919 to 1939. Husband Frank (Robert Newton) has just returned from fighting in WW1, and he and his wife Ethel (Celia Johnson) are moving into a new home in a crowded working class neighborhood. We follow them as they have children, raise them, and deal with the various ups and downs of family life, all leading up to the outbreak of WW2. Also featuring John Mills, Kay Walsh, Stanley Holloway, Eileen Erskine, John Blythe, Amy Veness, Alison Leggatt, and the voice of Laurence Olivier.

Based on a play by Noel Coward, this bears some thematic similarities to 1933's Cavalcade. This is more accessible though, and certainly much better made. Technically the movie is a marvel, with perhaps the best looking color cinematography, courtesy of Ronald Neame, up to this point in film. Lean's direction is also very admirable, with interesting and innovative camera movement. There's one truly outstanding scene wherein a person who has bad news to share exits out of the back door into a garden to relay the message, only the camera stays inside the house, moving a bit, looking out into the backyard but not seeing the news being delivered, all the while loud, upbeat music is blaring from a radio. It's a shattering scene that depicts the often banal setting for life-changing developments. Unfortunately I found much of the rest of the movie uninvolving. The acting is good, very natural and played in the medium to low register. I just couldn't bring myself to get emotionally connected with much of it.

This film by David Lean takes us on a journey from 1919 after the First World war towards into WW2. But focuses not on the fighting, but on the home front, and the effects of a changing world.

I love this films ability to take you along with the day to day routine of a large, close knit family. Youre there with their smiles and tears then then in an instant you feel the heartache of their tragedy.

Robert Newton has never been better - a truly mesmerising performance. Forget Long John Silver (although another very fine performance).

The rest of the cast are a brilliant complement to Robert Newton. John Mills is on top form in a cameo performance.

Did David Lean ever make a bad film?

The only down side to the film is you see how great the British Film Industry once was, and now its virtually gone.

Whether or not, one agrees with the "truth or morality" of Noel Coward's ennobling view of the British "bourgeois" from 1919-1939, the acting and direction in "This Happy Breed", are superb, and what a cast. I think the notion of sacrifice, pride, and work ethic, might have easily been written about many similar low and middle income families in America from Brooklyn to San Francisco, during the same period, as it was portrayed in the equally, excellent film, "Best Years of our Lives" (1946)

This film caught me completely unawares. I had never heard of it until it presented itself on daytime television one afternoon. I really dislike this type of film, as I find most of the time is spent on mediocre happenings in predictable situations. (Ordinary peoples lives are very boring). I was therefore amazed at the fact that I couldn't leave it, Maybe it's because I am getting older or maybe the people in this film reminded me of the adults of the 1950's when I was a child.

The acting is absolutely superb, you really believe in this family and the ups and downs of their lives. The direction of David Lean polishes the excellent cast performance, what more can I say ! ......Fantastic.....