James Lansdale Hodson Movies
- 1964
King and Country was adapted by Evan Jones from John Wilson's play Hamp. Misfit World War I British soldier Tom Courtenay, on trial for desertion, is defended by martinet officer Dirk Bogarde. Disgusted by the assignment, Bogarde wearily asks the dullwitted Courtenay the reasons for his actions. Courtenay replies that, after being the sole survivor of a battle and discovering that his wife had been cheating on him while he was serving his country, he didn't see any purpose in going on; thus, he "went for a little walk". Bogarde's dislike of his client melts into sympathy, which in turn leads to temporary indignation over the manner in which the average enlisted man is treated by his aristocratic superiors. Despite his pleas for leniency, Bogarde's client is sentenced to be shot; after all, an example must be made. On the day of the execution, the men on the firing squad are so drunk that they're unable to carry out the sentence. Once more incensed by the "rabble" that he's forced to deal with, Bogarde takes the law into his own hands. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dirk Bogarde, Tom Courtenay, (more)
- 1952
The British Something Money Can't Buy offers a few smaller-scale variations on themes previously explored in the 1946 Hollywood Oscar-winner The Best Years of Our Lives. Harry Wilding (Anthony Steel), a high-ranking wartime military officer, has trouble adjusting to his go-nowhere civilian job and the monotony of his home life. Harry's wife Anne (Patricia Roc) tries to make things easier for her husband, but there are no easy answers to his plight. The inherent drama of the situation is leavened by moments of gentle humor, not to mention the warm rapport between stars. The supporting cast includes hirsute comic actor (and longtime David Niven crony) Michael Trubshawe and the venerable A. E. Mathews, at the time billed as England's oldest working actor. Director Pat Jackson co-authored the perceptive screenplay of Something Money Can't Buy with James Lonsdale Hudson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patricia Roc, Anthony Steel, (more)
If, while watching such cable services as A&E and the History Channel, you happen to see filmclips of the WWII African campaign against Germany's Erwin Rommel, chances are good that the footage was culled from Desert Victory. This Academy Award-winning British documentary traces the struggle between the opposing forces of generals Rommel and Montgomery, from the defeat at El Alemein to the ultimate British victory at Tripoli. The film made quite an impact upon its first release due to its heavy reliance on captured German newsreel footage. The man responsible for Desert Victory was David McDonald, who gave up a lucrative commercial career for the duration to concentrate on factual films. McDonald followed Desert Victory with the equally well-received Burma Victory (1945). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
