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Colonel Blimp

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How wonderful it is to have this unique movie beautifully restored to its original length and scene order by the British Film Institute.

Until about ten years ago, I had never seen this film. I had never rented the cut, reconfigured tape, because I didn't think I'd like the film (in any form). But the L.A. County Museum of Art had an Archers' retrospective several years ago that included the BFI restoration print. Despite many of there pictures being among my favorites, I still thought I was in for a hoary WW II propaganda film. I could walk if I didn't like it.

Was I ever wrong. I came out considering it among The Archers best works. which in my book, means one of the finest films ever.

"The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp," in the original version, is a brilliant mix of WW II propaganda, an often whimisical loving satire of the system. It is ultimately one of the most winning anti-war films ever. In a different way, as good as "Grand Illusion."

This low-key epic begins with the Boer War, when Blimp is a young (too) gung-ho officer to the time the film was made--mid-war 1943. The cast is superb. Roger Livesey gives one of the best performances imaginable. Deborah Kerr (18) at the time, gives a tour-de-force performance as the three different women Blimp falls for in the 40-year span of the film. Anton Walbrook Is so brilliant in this film. This man I am now convinced was one of the greatest actors of the 20th Century. His controversial character is a German officer Blimp befriends in the Boer War and they become life-time friends, with Blimp vouching for him being permitted to stay in England during WW II. Walbrook's scene explaining why he has left Germany is as great, if not greater than his curtain speech in "Red Shoes." Most other actors would have turned this into maudlin sentimentality. Walbrook instead gave me a giant lump in my throat. I don't lump easily.

If you've never seen the complete, uncut and untampered with film and are Archers devotee, this is the version for you.

The extras are uniformly fine. The commentary track with Martin Scorsesse and director Michael Powell, from a recording he made on first viewing the restored film, is sharp and perceptive. He sounds very old and can be hard to understand because of it, but it is worth the extra effort to hear him comment on one of his personal favorites.
There is also an excellent half-hour or so documentary, that includes Emeric Pressburger's grandson, that helps explain why and how the film was tampered with and almost never seen as a result of Prime Minister Winston Churchill trying to ban it. No luck in England. J. Arthur Rank released it in his English theatres and advertised "See The Banned Film." And it was a huge hit. The "banned" got the initial audiences in, word-of-mouth made it the movie too see. Winnie also failed in his attempts to stop exportation to other countries.

One of the most intelligent, witty,serious, breathtakingingly beautiful Technicolor films ever released.

Get this Criterion treasure now. It also includes several Colonel Blimp "original" editorial cartoons, by Blimp creator David Low. Some are timely today and could run with the names changed to suit today's political and military madness. The editorial cartoons were a revelation to me.

Archer Fans, order now and have a really complete collection of these unique gems.

The chap from England, below, is absolutey, right.

This is the best film by the best chroniclers of english life. I put this review on the American site because I feel the need to evangelise! Emeric Pressburger was an Hungarian refugee, and put much of his experience into the mouth of Theo, the sympathetic German character (in 1943! No wonder Churchill wanted it banned without seeing it). The film has three sections, set in 1902, 1918 and ww2. It shows the friendship between the title character, Clive Wynne Candy, and Theo Kretchsmar-Shuldorf. It's also a love story, with Deborah Kerr as three identical looking women. Most of all it's a requiem for a lost golden age, and a call to arms to defeat Nazism. The best set pieces are given to Theo (Anton Walbrook) a German refugee actor, emphasising that this is not a conflict between two equal and honourable countries, but between good and between evil, and this time, if good loses, there is no return match.This propaganda is 60 years old, but every time I watch it by the end I'm ready to sign up.

This and "A Matter of Life and Death" are Powell & Presberger's masterpieces, before they descended into the schmalz of "The Red Shoes". The tale of the essentially decent British and German gentlemen, played by Roger Livesey and Anton Walbrook respectively, rapidly becoming dinosaurs in the changing Europe between the Boer War and the Blitz, yet clinging to their values despite being kicked in the face by the brutalisation of Germany and by the consequent brutalisation of a Britain attempting to survive against barbarism. Their friendship begins from the mutual respect engendered by a duel fought reluctantly for the honour of their respective traditions at the time of the Boer War. During convalescence they vie for the hand of Deborah Kerr, turning up in the first of 3 roles. Livesey's shyness leaves Walbrook holding the field. Nearly 20 years pass until they meet again, at a POW camp in Britain. Livesey's essential naivete rides roughshod over the wartime enmity, but Walbrook's response is ambivalent, and the reunion is short-lived and bittersweet. Livesey marries Deborah Kerr's reincarnation as a nurse, because of a resemlance to his first love. A further 20 years pass. Livesey, widowed, is asked to act as sponsor for Walbrook, now exiled from Germany, also widowed and estranged from his Nazi children. Together they come to terms with their sidelining in a world of younger men with few of the old values. Deborah Kerr turns up for the third time as Livesey's driver as he moves from army officer to Home Guard organiser,refusing to be pushed out of the fight. In appearance Livesey's character assumes the appearaqnce of David Low's cartoon Colonel Blimp, but underneath he is more rounded; decent,generous to and loyal to friends, slow to denegrate his foes and totally patriotic, but finally nobody's fool. John Laurie appears in a delicious cameo as Livesey's batman/manservant, crusty but loyal. His boss may occasionally infuriate and perlex, but Laurie recognises the basic decency, as, finally, all do who come into contact with him. It may be propaganda, but it is still magnificent.

I found "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp" to be a haunting story, rich in story and superbly acted. I found the film to be a very private experience - one that you will be thinking about for a long time.

I really can't add anything to the comments made before other than to say that this is the type of film that makes Criterion a special mark. I would question many of their choices, films are available in other formats and of questionable importance (e.g. "Armageddon", "The Royal Tennanbaums" and "The Rock"). "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp" probably would have been lost forever (or show up as a $...DVD on a "Bargains" rack) without the work put in by Criterion and the "legitimacy" conferred on it by being recognized by the brand.

myke

I first saw this film on Bravo (before they turned into a dumbed down reality network). The film, at the time, wasn't out on any home video format in its uncut version. Luckily, Bravo showed the original, 163 minute version. It was one of the most profound, humane, and intelligent films I have ever seen. Everything in this film works. Roger Livesy gives one of the greatest performances in the history of cinema. He plays Clive Candy from young man to elderly gentleman so convincingly. Anton Walbrook plays Candy's German friend is such depth and subtlety he makes you feel for all humanity. Winston Churchill attempted to ban the film in England (it was 1943), but luckily it was unsucessful. The film was a big hit in England. When it reached the states, it was cut by 70 minutes, and sometimes shown in black and white. Luckily, now the film is available only in the uncut verison. The commentary track by Michael Powell was recorded for an early laserdisc edition of this film. It's a commentary track worth listening to. Everyone nowadays does commentary (still waiting for a key grip to do one), but doesn't really have anything interesting to say. This is an exception. This is a magnficient epic film, one worth watching over and over again. It's typical of Powell and Pressburger films: visually spectaular, literate, humane, and brilliant.

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp is one of the finest films ever made, period. Michael Powell, a top director (49th Parallel) is at his finest as he masterfully recounts the tale of General Candy, an elderly British officer, in 1943. We see the life of a just-wonderful human being, heroic and dashing. As he evolves from a trim, swaggering youth of adventure to a stout and stoic old age, he never forgets his friends and never loses his faith in morality and justice, despite the travails of combat and personal loss.

Roger Livesy ('I Know Where I'm Going') is absolutely endearing as the lead and Deborah Kerr does a magnificent job in a triple-role! Anton Wallbrook is touching and credible as a German Officer befriended by Candy.

Lovingly restored to its original length and color magnificence, this film is touching and credible as it shows the human side of war without being preachy. There are many fine small performances and some surprising plot twists so that, despite its length, Blimp keeps viewers engaged.

By all means, a fine addition to any collection!

This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp is one of the best films made by the Powell & Pressburger team. It is the best British film of the mid 1940's that I have seen. It is filmed in color and is stunning.

It is inspired by the British comic strip, Colonel Blimp written by David Low.

The film covers the life of a British soldier, Clive Candy, played by the great actor Roger Livesey, best known for his voice, who has been other Powell & Pressburger films. It starts around the turn of the century during the war in South Africa. When he spends time in Germany, he befriends a soldier while in a hospital. The film covers the two world wars and a reunion of th two soldiers.

The film has very fine acting and has a great cast. The DVD is loaded with very good special features.

There is audio commentary which was made in 1988 for the laserdisc version. the commentary is by co-director Michael Powell and Martin Scorsese, who is a big fan of the P&P films. Three are behind the scenes photos, a slideshow of original Colonel Blimp cartoons, and a 24 minute special about the film.

This is a must-see film!

This movie cost Powell his knighthood. The British government wanted a very different movie for the war and they never forgave Powell. It took guts to make it at the time, but only a real artist could have made it as good as it is. Watch for the conclusion, when Powell puts on film the most beautiful and least obtrusive metaphor ever done, and makes it look like a throwaway. The miracle is that Powell took something unsubtle and crass - the Col. Blimp cartoon character - and made it poignant. This isn't a pro-war story, or a military satire, or a romance. It's about personal loss.

"The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp" is a magnificent film!

Fully restored in its Technicolor glory, this movie by Powell and Pressburger (who also brought us "Black Narcissus' and "The Red Shoes") portrays forty years in the life of a British officer, Clive Wynne-Candy (Roger Livesey), who in the enthusiasm of youth rushes off to Berlin (against orders) to save the reputation of Britain, which is being maligned by a dastardly double agent. During the adventure, which lands Wynne-Candy in the midst of what promises to be an international incident, he meets a lovely governess (Deborah Kerr in one of three roles in the film). He also meets Theodore Kretschmar-Schuldorff (The magnetic Anton Walbrook--who played the sinister ballet impresario, Lermontoff, in "The Red Shoes") over sabers at dawn. After drawing blood, the two adversaries become friends for life, despite two wars.

Criterion Collection has knocked itself out to produce this beautifully restored DVD. The colors are crisp and clean. The production team has also provided English subtitles for those for whom the accents might prove difficult to understand (although the diction of the actors is splendid). The film comes with a commentary by director Michael Powell and Martin Scorsese, as well as a really informative documentary with Stephen Fry that is more than the self-promoting puffery that accompanies so many DVDs nowadays. The extras present fascinating facts about how Winston Churchill tried to ban the film from being shown in Britain and from being exported. There is also a feature depicting David Low's "Colonel Blimp Cartoons" that usually begin with the walrus-mustached Colonel pontificating: "Gad! Squiffy Harbottle [or some such notable] is right! We have to bring peace to the inhabitants of Lower Waq-Waq Land, even if we have to wipe out every last one of the blighters to get it!"

On one level, the movie is about the inability of some of the twentieth-century British military establishment to abandon the gentlemanly Public School rules of fair play in an era in which the Nazis had not only made up their own rules which they kept changing, but had also thrown away the rule book.

The performances are simply top-drawer, but for my money, Anton Walbrook runs away with the film. Walbrook is such a master of his craft that he can sit motionless in his chair and evoke powerful feelings in the viewer by only a subtle modulation of his voice. Walbrook's performance is both powerful and effortless.

And if "Colonel Blimp" seems a bit old fashioned, well it is! They simply don't make fine movies like this any more.

FIRST THOUGHTS: A VERY MODERN LOOKING MASTERPIECE OF ANTIQUITY

IN A NUTSHELL: THE BRITISH CITIZEN KANE & in COLOR!

Seeing this film today, for the first time somehow, I am struck by how modern this film looks, sounds and feels. Now restored by Criterion to its orignal 163 minute length, and again in flashback form, it is apparently a brilliantly composed and executed character portrait with a strong link to a bygone era. Often, this film has been referred to as - "the British Citizen Kane"! After seeing Colonel Blimp a half dozen times this week, I've concluded that perhaps "Citizen Kane" is the American "Colonel Blimp"!

WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT: SIMPLY STATED

This wonderful film is constructed upon a very simple and coherent theme; HOW DID THIS 70 YEAR OLD COLONEL BLIMP BECOME THE MAN HE IS TODAY? So we see, essentially, what he saw as he saw it, as he became Major General Clive Candy. And what a wonderful debacle his adult life, which spanned 40 years, was.

A STORY OF HOPE - IN THE END!

Through all of his trevails, Colonel blimp actually learned about the way of the world, without stooping to that level, to his credit. This of course led to his dismissal during the second world war, as the prevailing thoughts of the time suggested that chivalry and ethics were a dead issue if we were to defeat the Nazis.

Colonel blimp sees the difference between Germans and Nazis, a quality which caused the banning of this film at the time and the reason England refused it an export license. Colonel Blimp refused to become a barbarian or as the film shouts: WAR STARTS AT MIDNIGHT!!!! [not sooner for the sake of expedience]

Nevertheless, it still leaves that question to us, for an answer. Can we meet and even exceed the violence and underhandedness of our enemies to win the war, and yet still retain a higher level of civilization and decency than the foes we have sought to destroy for exactly those reasons? Robert McNamara recounted these same issues in "THE FOG OF WAR", Errol Morris, 2003.

Through it all Colonel Blimp always comported himself as a good English gentleman should and like most viewers he reminded me of someone I know and admire in my own family.

--* THE MAJOR PLAYERS * --

Roger Livesey - Clive Candy

Deborah Kerr - Barbara Wynne / Johnny Cannon / Edith Hunter

Anton Walbrook - Theo Kretschmar-Schuldorff

Roland Culver - Col. Betteridge

Albert Lieven - Von Ritter

Spencer Trevor - Period Blimp

James McKechnie - Spud Wilson

Ursula Jeans - Frau von Kalteneck

John Laurie - Murdoch

--* THE PRODUCTION CREW *--

Michael Powell - Director / Producer / Screenwriter

Emeric Pressburger - Director / Producer / Screenwriter

Georges P?rinal - Cinematographer

Allan Gray - Composer (Music Score)

John Seabourne - Editor

Alfred Junge - Production Designer

Joseph Bato - Costume Designer

--* SOME MAJOR AWARDS *--

Best Picture (nom) 1945 National Board of Review

Best Actor (nom) Livesy, Roger 1945 New York Film Critics Circle

Best Direction (nom) Emeric Pressburger 1945 New York Film Critics Circle

Best Direction (nom) Michael Powell 1945 New York Film Critics Circle

Best Film (nom) Emeric Pressburger 1945 New York Film Critics Circle

Best Film (nom) Michael Powell 1945 New York Film Critics Circle

ABOUT THE DVD: RESTORED HIGH-DEFINITION DIGITAL TRANSFER IN COLOR

--- * DVD SPECIAL Features:

Available Subtitles: English

New high-definition digital transfer of the original full-length version of the film, restored by British Film Institute

Audio commentary featuring director Michael Powell with Martin Scorsese:

---* Martin Scorsese and Michael Powell teamed-up to give a brillant enthusiast commentary to provide excellent insight into this film. Mr. Powell, sadly, passed-away several months after his taped remarks, making his insights rather important. Mr. Scorsese told all about the history of restoring this film. How it had been reduced in running length by almost half and how the flash-back structure had been lost in the process. Even the original color prints were nearly impossible to find and many had forgotten that Colonel Blimp was shot in color - and incredible colors do pervade the restored film. The best thing about their commentary is that you can actually watch the film while they are delivering it, as both men only speak when they have something really important to tell and it pertains to the current happenings on screen.

Carlton International's 24-minute video profile

---* This featurette really peeked my interest in seeing this film and though I wish it were longer, it does add a temporal dimension to Colonel blimp.

A collection of rare behind-the-scenes and production stills from the collection of Michael Powell

A collection of David Low's original Colonel Blimp cartoons

BOTTOM LINE: SYMPATHETIC PORTRAIT OF A TRULY WONDERFUL DINOSAUR

The film leaves us with a lot ot reconcile.

-----* What is right?

-----* How much bad can we do and still do good in the end?

The film leaves us with these ageless questions for our own consciences to resolve.

IF THIS INTERESTS YOU ALSO CONSIDER SEEING:

-----* The Fog Of War, Errol Morris, 2003