Rent Dunkirk (1958)

Fantastic British War Drama - Dunkirk review by GI

A great British war film that blends history, drama and character into two intertwining stories that emulate the story of the British defeat at Dunkirk in 1940 and which has gained a legendary status for its story of British pluck in the face of dire events. John Mills plays a cynical British army corporal, Tubby, who is in France as the German advance begins. He and his small band of troops get separated from the main body and have to navigate their way across enemy territory to the evacuation area on the beaches of Dunkirk. It's a dangerous journey and Tubby finds leadership skills he didn't know he had. The second story arc, wonderfully edited together with the first, is about the legendary 'small boats' of ordinary people who took the risk to head over to France to help lift the troops from the beach under heavy shellfire and aerial bombardment. This story is told through two men who have slightly different views on the tragic affair, Richard Attenborough, a local businessman who is profiting from army contracts, and who doesn't really want to get involved and Bernard Lee, a journalist, who feels it's his duty to help even though he recognises the situation is a mess. These two eventually go across in their pleasure boats and get caught up in the battle and meet up with Tubby and his soldiers. The film is gripping and very realistic with tough, sometimes despairingly sad scenes of war including the strafing of refugee columns and the random bombing of the beaches where thousands of soldiers lie waiting escape. Director Leslie Norman seamlessly weaves actual documentary footage into the shot scenes ensuring the war is depicted in all its horrors. For its time this is gritty and compelling stuff made great by the first class acting, direction and editing. The recreated scenes of the troops queuing on the beaches are identical to photographs of the real event. Ok it has elements of flag waving and the Germans are portrayed as the evil hun whose actions drive everyone to want to murder them but this is fairly typical of the British war films of the 50s. This particular film is an example of British cinema at its height and viewed today it manages to convey a sense of nostalgia for the times. It's a great film and one well worth seeking out, you maybe surprised just how good it is.

Protest film. - Dunkirk review by Steve

Powerful polemic aimed at the British war effort leading up to the disaster of Dunkirk. And every aspect of preparation is under fire, whether the dilettante politicians, the generals still rolling out the strategies of WWI, or the public, simultaneously in a state of panic and denial. This is an angry film which creates a potent impression of national jeopardy.

The story charts the coming together of a ragtag mob of British soldiers adrift in France as the Germans sweep north, and a pair of small boat enthusiasts who will eventually cross the Channel to try and rescue them. John Mills is too old and awkward as the lowly Corporal in charge of a few stragglers. Bernard Lee is compelling as a member of the civilian flotilla.

Lee provides a commentary on the state of the nation. He describes the foolish optimism brushed aside by brutal reality. Indecisive politicians and military leaders are perceived from a distance. There's a chilling moment when the navy are ordered to pull out their ships, with the Normandy beach still choked with soldiers, strafed by dive-bombers.

It's impressively shot by Leslie Norman, against the big skies of coastal towns, but slightly disappointing that so much was staged in the studio. This is still the definitive version of events which have become a part of national mythology. Although it acknowleges the extraordinary actions of the small boat crews, it more prominently laments the horror of what put them there.