The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943)

Directed by Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger. Starring Roger Livesey, Deborah Kerr, Anton Walbrook, Ursula Jeans, David Hutcheson, James McKechnie, Frith Banbury, Neville Mapp, Muriel Aked, John Laurie, Spencer Trevor, Ronald Culver.

An epic, intensely British document, only tangentially-related to the David Low comic strip character, detailing the story of an English soldier spanning more than three decades in the early part of the twentieth century. Told in three acts through extended flashback, each piece centered on events during a different major conflict (Boer War, WWI, WWII). Livesy perfectly encapsulates the concept of “what it means to be British,” and all the good and bad that entails; his military man befriends a German soldier (Walbrook) before they must become foes, and he loves three different women through the periods, each one played by the radiant Kerr. Gratifying satirical elements were criticized at the time of its production (Churchill included, who wanted it outright banned), but it’s something of a miracle that a vibrant Technicolor British film with often glorious sets and costuming was even possible in the middle of the war. Hampered by sheer length (the middle act feels a little sluggish compared to the gems surrounding it); nevertheless, beware the various shorter prints in circulation—the full, original cut didn’t even premiere stateside until 40 years after its initial release! Second-unit camerawork from a young Jack Cardiff, who’d go on to shoot future Powell/Pressburger efforts like Black Narcissus and The Red Shoes.

80/100