pacare

I am very prejudiced here as my Dad served out in the Western Desert with his courageous RNF comrades under such harsh conditions that few today can even begin to understand. I cannot speak for my Dad but I firmly believe that he would have liked much of this film (so that's why I like it for starters) whilst being very polite about its failings with his wry grin and a knowing glint in the eye. Its strengths are good characters who all play their parts in a story that does have you willing them on and on in their battle against the Nazi baddies, the unforgiving Sun and the relentless sand. Richard Attenborough is particularly excellent throughout, as is Percy Herbert when playing a solo part in one of the Fifties greatest short war scenes. If all directors were made to study this scene they could learn much, but what do I know! Thank goodness the film is still shown in black and white and this should always remain so. I liked this film so I say to all old fogeys and inquisitive but sensible youngsters just give it a watch and enjoy the film for what it is. The LRDG were incredibly brave men.

I'm sorry to say this, but this film just doesn't cut the mustard for me. I did try to like it honestly but it left me with a feeling of thank goodness that that rubbish is over. It isn't a patch on other oldish "comedies" of that era such as Kind Hearts, School for Scoundrels, I'm all Right, and Lavender Hill,etc.etc and is just wearing and tiresome I'm afraid. It typifies the fake world of very posh actresses trying to put on a cockney accent with a fag hanging out the side of the mouth. It pushes the cliché of oh look how wonderful England is by the poor stereotypes used in the film ad nausea and the film just doesn't make it on so many fronts. Stanley Holloway does a valiant act of trying to save the film but the script is woeful. Barbara Murray isn't bad either as eye candy of that time. I only loved the bits of seeing old London but there really wasn't even much of that. The film was obviously trying to help in a small way to pick the nation up so I can't knock that and later gems must have learnt from this film's mistakes. Don't watch this to make you laugh is all I can advise to finish on. Sorry but there you go!

I'm giving this little gem a 9 because it has not been given anything like the credit it deserves. It's a little masterpiece that means a lot to me having seen some of the location sites in person. George Segal combines the fine balance throughout the film between the impossible contradictions he has to face in dealing with the incredibly difficult and dangerous job that he is given. The script is great in the capable hands of great actors who play their parts well helping to build the suspense, and you just cannot tell what is really going to happen all the way through the film. The scenarios I found believable and I just lose myself in this film thinking yes I like it. The ending is sensational with the viewer thinking "hang on a minute - BUT ...... ??????? " as one looks into Senta Berger's beautiful innocent kindly face shepherding her pupils inside the school. Oh George why did you not ........ - oh I best not say and let the viewers decide.