Classic 40s Movie: “Mrs. Miniver”
September is Classic 40s Movie month. Today’s guest post comes from Traci Nell Peterson.
Movie Title: Mrs. Miniver
Year: 1942
Writers: Arthur Wimperis & George Froeschel & James Hilton & Claudine West (screenplay) based on book by Jan Struther
Lead Actors: Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon
Director: William Wyler
IMDb Plot Summary: A British family struggles to survive the first months of World War II.
Why I Think This Is A Classic 40s Movie
World War II, the backdrop of this movie, was an ongoing reality for US and UK movie audiences. This film follows Mrs. Miniver, her family and village as they discover first-hand the realities of war. This is a beloved, classic movie because it portrayed Mrs. Miniver leading her family and community as they navigate the realities of the German Blitz. I suppose one could try to dismiss this film as British propaganda, except for the historical fact that the British people weren’t destroyed by the Blitz, it only infuriated them into defiant action and victory. Imho, the character Mrs. Miniver, is a female/matriarch embodiment of Churchill. She is a lovely British subject made of poise, grit, conviction and determination; unwilling to succumb to fear and atrocity.
My Favorite Moment In The Movie
This entire movie is a favorite moment (watch this movie!), but here’s a funny moment… Mr. Miniver had been called to volunteer himself and his boat at Dunkirk (great scene), he’s returned home, had a nap and feels quite brave for his nautical navigation achievements. Unbeknownst to him, while he was away being brave with the British Royal Navy, Mrs. Miniver single-handedly protected her hearth and home from an armed German pilot (another great scene!). Here’s the brilliant marital exchange of one-upmanship.
My Favorite Dialogue In the Movie
This is a tough one, but I do like the dialogue that sums up one of the themes of the film, as said by Carol Beldon, the feisty practical granddaughter of Lady Beldon: “I know how comfortable it is to curl up with a nice, fat book full of big words and think you’re going to solve all the problems in the universe. But you’re not, you know. A bit of action is required every now and then.”
Key Things You Should Look For When Watching This Movie
This film is very British; what US citizens take as nonchalance and/or reserve is fortitude for the 1940’s British living amongst conditions beyond their control. The title is Mrs. Miniver, it is a bit of an Easter egg to realize that during the film, there are two Mrs. Minivers that shape the lives in this film’s world.
Extra Bits of Business for Scott
Mrs. Miniver won 6 Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role: Greer Garson, Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Teresa Wright, Director: William Wyler, Screenplay, Cinematography. Mrs. Miniver was nominated for another 6: Best Actor in Leading Role: Walter Pidgeon, Best Actor in Supporting Role: Henry Travers, Best Actress in Supporting Role: Dame May Whitty.
Ranked #40 on the American Film Institute’s Most Inspirational Films of all Time. Named to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
Thanks, Traci! To show our gratitude for your guest post, here’s a dash of creative juju for you. Whoosh!
We already have a set of classic 5os movies, 60s Movies, 70s movies, 80s Movies and 90s Movies. This month, we’re working on 40s movies. And thanks to the GITS community, we’ve got 30 movies in the works, one for each day of the month!
Those who I put in bold have already sent me their posts. If you haven’t sent yours to me, please do so as soon as you can!!!
Act of Violence — Eric Rodriguez
Arsenic and Old Lace — Katha
Bicycle Thieves — Megaen Kelly
Brief Encounter — Emily Bonkoski
Casablanca — Paul Graunke
Double Indemnity — Susan Winchell
Five Graves to Cairo — Jeff Gibson
Foreign Correspondent — Doc Kane
His Girl Friday — John Henderson
It’s a Wonderful Life — David Laudenslager
Key Largo — Will King
Laura — Melinda Mahaffey Icden
Les enfants du paradis — Brendan Howley
Mrs. Miniver — Traci Nell Peterson
Notorious — Christine Henton
Now Voyager — Melissa Privette
Out of the Past — Brantley Aufill
Rope — Lance Morgan
The Bank Dick — Bob Saenz
The Best Years of Their Lives — Shaun Parker
The Big Sleep — Ipsita Barik
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir — Annie Wood
The Long Voyage Home — Vincent Martini
The Lost Weekend — Liz Warner
The Maltese Falcon — Roy Gordon
The Ox-Bow Incident — Clay Mitchell
The Philadelphia Story — Kristen Demaline
The Sin of Harold Diddlebock — David Joyner
The Third Man — Harry Cooke
To Have and Have Not — Felicity Flesher
Thanks to everyone who steps up for this ongoing project!
For the original post explaining the series, go here.
For all of the 40s movies featured in the series, go here.
Click REPLY and see you in comments about today’s classic 40s movie!
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