This England (film)
| This England | |
|---|---|
Contemporary trade advertisement | |
| Directed by | David MacDonald |
| Written by | |
| Produced by | John Corfield |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Mutz Greenbaum |
| Music by | Richard Addinsell Orchestration, Roy Douglas Direction, Muir Mathieson |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | World Pictures Corporation |
Release date |
|
Running time | 84 mins |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
This England (also known as Our Heritage [1]) is a 1941 British historical drama film directed by David MacDonald and starring John Clements, Constance Cummings and Emlyn Williams.[1][2] It was written by A.R. Rawlinson, Bridget Boland and Williams.
Plot
The film follows the small English village of Cleveley and its historic resistance against tyrannical invaders recounted by one of the inhabitants to a visiting American journalist.
Partial cast
- John Clements as John Rookeby
- Constance Cummings as Ann
- Emlyn Williams as Appleyard
- Frank Pettingell as Gage
- Roland Culver as Steward
- Morland Graham as doctor
- Leslie French as Johnny
- Martin Walker as Seigneur
- Ronald Ward as Lord Clavely
- Hugh Wakefield as vicar
- Esmond Knight as vicar's son
- Amy Veness as Jenny
- Roddy McDowall as Hugo
- Dennis Wyndham as Martin
Production
The film was made for propaganda purposes during the Second World War. Its title comes from a speech by John of Gaunt in the play Richard II by William Shakespeare.
Reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This is a film of sentiment, and its film craftsmanship is entirely indistinguished, for its episodic structure robs it of constructional unity and dramatic momentum. In attempting to escape into past ages, simply by ringing the changes on costumes and wigs, it succeeds no better than other similar films have succeeded before it. It has been conceived theatrically and without a proper understanding of the limitations and possibilities of the film medium. Not even its production qualities are all that could be desired. That many of the landscapes are model shots, for example, will be obvious even to those unaccustomed to distinguish such niceties. On the credit side, the cast has worked conscientiously and competently, and Emlyn Williams' portrayal of the simple and intense sincerity of Appleyard is the one distinctive feature of the whole film."[3]
Kine Weekly wrote: "pitch ts somfdent prog and the I ts ate es 5 is a prognostication of the future. In a word, it is England at her full, formidable stature. Excel-: lant general booking, one with immense exploitation angles."[4]
Picture Show wrote: "The story is told through certain characters that run through the film in all the sequences – farm labourer and his master being the chief ones. These roles are powerfully played by Emlyn Williams and John Clements, and Constance Cummings, as the chief feminine character, also does excellent work. It is very well directed. Splendid, unusual entertainment."[5]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "A well-meant parade of aphorisms, model shots and prop beards supposedly good for morale."[6]
References
- ^ a b "This England". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ "BFI | Film & TV Database | This England (1941)". ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ "This England". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 8 (85): 14. 1 January 1941. ProQuest 1305811302.
- ^ "This England". Kine Weekly. 288 (1765): 24. 13 February 1941. ProQuest 2339714899.
- ^ "This England". Picture Show. 45 (1155): 16. 14 June 1941. ProQuest 1879644665.
- ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 252. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
External links
- This England at IMDb