I see it has been some years since this small film has had a review. I replaced an earlier copy with the update digitally restored version and the improvement over the old DVD is huge. You can actually hear the dialogue.
The book is somewhat trite and obvious, but a decent summary of the upper class's thoughts going into the great war. What makes the move worth watching is the acting. Gordon Jackson plays the parts he usually plays, but with good depth and the death scene is both odd and moving at the same time.
But James Mason, who was dying at the time, has a depth that extends beyond the novel or the surface of the film. His quiet mourning for a disappearing life, lack of the romanticism and competitiveness seen in his guests and his solidity and kindness are lovely. The meeting with John Guilgood is an exhibition in two ancient actors not acting, but inhabiting character. The death scene with Jackson, ending with "God save the British empire" is acted that what could have been maudlin or just plain silly, works.
A small film, but very worth owning and watching one a year.
The book is somewhat trite and obvious, but a decent summary of the upper class's thoughts going into the great war. What makes the move worth watching is the acting. Gordon Jackson plays the parts he usually plays, but with good depth and the death scene is both odd and moving at the same time.
But James Mason, who was dying at the time, has a depth that extends beyond the novel or the surface of the film. His quiet mourning for a disappearing life, lack of the romanticism and competitiveness seen in his guests and his solidity and kindness are lovely. The meeting with John Guilgood is an exhibition in two ancient actors not acting, but inhabiting character. The death scene with Jackson, ending with "God save the British empire" is acted that what could have been maudlin or just plain silly, works.
A small film, but very worth owning and watching one a year.