Mrs. Miniver (1942)

Mrs. Miniver (1942)
Member Rating:  
As Academy Award-winning films go, Mrs. Miniver has not weathered the years all that well. This prettified, idealized view of the upper-class British home front during World War II sometimes seems over-calculated and contrived when seen today. In particular, Greer Garson's Oscar-winning performance in the title role often comes off as artificial, especially when she nobly tends her rose garden while her stalwart husband (Walter Pidgeon) participates in the evacuation at Dunkirk. However, even if the film has lost a good portion of its ability to move and inspire audiences, it is easy to see why it was so popular in 1942-and why Winston Churchill was moved to comment that its propaganda value was worth a dozen battleships. Everyone in the audience-even English audiences, closer to the events depicted in the film than American filmgoers-liked to believe that he or she was capable of behaving with as much grace under pressure as the Miniver family. The film's setpieces-the Minivers huddling in their bomb shelter during a Luftwaffe attack, Mrs. Miniver confronting a downed Nazi paratrooper in her kitchen, an annual flower show being staged despite the exigencies of bombing raids, cleric Henry Wilcoxon's climactic call to arms from the pulpit of his ruined church-are masterfully staged and acted, allowing one to ever so briefly forget that this is, after all, slick propagandizing. In addition to Best Picture and Best Actress, Mrs. Miniver garnered Oscars for best supporting actress (Teresa Wright), best director (William Wyler), best script (Arthur Wimperis, George Froschel, James Hilton, Claudine West), best cinematography (Joseph Ruttenberg) and best producer (Sidney Franklin). Sidebar: Richard Ney, who plays Greer Garson's son, later married the actress-and still later became a successful Wall Street financier. Mrs. Miniver was followed by a 1951 sequel, The Miniver Story, but without the wartime setting the bloom was off the rose. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, (more)
Director(s):
William Wyler
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
NR
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Mrs. Miniver

As Academy Award-winning films go, Mrs. Miniver has not weathered the years all that well. This prettified, idealized view of the upper-class British home front during World War II sometimes seems over-calculated and contrived when seen today. In particular, Greer Garson's Oscar-winning performance in the title role often comes off as artificial, especially when she nobly tends her rose garden while her stalwart husband (Walter Pidgeon) participates in the evacuation at Dunkirk. However, even if the film has lost a good portion of its ability to move and inspire audiences, it is easy to see why it was so popular in 1942-and why Winston Churchill was moved to comment that its propaganda value was worth a dozen battleships. Everyone in the audience-even English audiences, closer to the events depicted in the film than American filmgoers-liked to believe that he or she was capable of behaving with as much grace under pressure as the Miniver family. The film's setpieces-the Minivers huddling in their bomb shelter during a Luftwaffe attack, Mrs. Miniver confronting a downed Nazi paratrooper in her kitchen, an annual flower show being staged despite the exigencies of bombing raids, cleric Henry Wilcoxon's climactic call to arms from the pulpit of his ruined church-are masterfully staged and acted, allowing one to ever so briefly forget that this is, after all, slick propagandizing. In addition to Best Picture and Best Actress, Mrs. Miniver garnered Oscars for best supporting actress (Teresa Wright), best director (William Wyler), best script (Arthur Wimperis, George Froschel, James Hilton, Claudine West), best cinematography (Joseph Ruttenberg) and best producer (Sidney Franklin). Sidebar: Richard Ney, who plays Greer Garson's son, later married the actress-and still later became a successful Wall Street financier. Mrs. Miniver was followed by a 1951 sequel, The Miniver Story, but without the wartime setting the bloom was off the rose. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
133 mins

Complete Cast of Mrs. Miniver


Director(s):
William Wyler
Writer(s):
James Hilton, Claudine West, Arthur Wimperis
Producer(s):
Sidney Franklin, Sidney Franklin
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
NR
Mrs. Miniver Awards:
  • 1942 - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences - Best Picture
  • 1942 - Film Daily - 10 Best Films
  • 1942 - National Board of Review - Best Acting
  • 1942 - National Board of Review - Best Acting
  • 1942 - New York Times - 10 Best Films
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    James Z.

    Have you ever experienced sleep-robbing anguish about loved ones in danger? The continuing theme is the "Mrs. Miniver" rose, the symbol of pure beauty. But the skies begin to darken; Hitler’s evil begins to encroach and the symbols of future become stained. The family tries to respond; the children volunteer; their town begins to mobilize. But Hitler's war is a rain of terror. Bombing raids begin; neighbors are killed; the family crouches in a bunker; their church is destroyed. The rose endures; the "Best Rose" competition is held and reveals the core of decency and hope that maintains the family. This movie may be trite if you can not imagine war at home, but it is a song to those that find their shores invaded; a tribute to the strength that they show as they prevail. Few movies capture the anguish and terror as normal people feel the fear as far away political events begin to become immediate and threatening. It’s is a tough movie to sit through and an impossible movie to forget.

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    Patti B.

    Unforgettable, tremendous, n o wonder it won four Academy Awards. They don't get much better than this. Have a box of tissues handy.

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    Eric S.

    I must disagree with mr ericksons review, for many people really did really think, act and feel similar to these wonderfull actors. I have spoken with many ww2 vets and civ. surivors and yes mr erickson they knew they were on crusade to destroy the nazis and and make it thru the war as intact as possible. I feel it has weathered the years gracefully. eric s.

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