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Mrs Miniver / Movie [VHS]

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The most important picture of World War II was an intensely moving drama about a middle class British family and its strong matriarch standing up against the tragedies and terrors of the onset of World War II. The movie was "Mrs. Miniver".

"Mrs. Miniver" remains today one of the most powerful and compelling films ever made about the hardships of war even with the lack of a single battle scene. Like "Gone With the Wind", "Mrs. Miniver"'s greatness lies in its revealing look of the individuals affected by a war. Making the film an even greater emotional experience is the fact that this film was made just at the time it revolves around, during the onset of WWII, when the outcome of the war was still uncertain and the future of the world was hanging in the balance.

In the title role of the film, Greer Garson is radiant, willful, warm and determined in the role of Kay Miniver, a British housewife who must keep her head on the homefront with her two young children while her husband (Walter Pidgeon) and son (Richard Ney) defend their country at the onset of World War II. Through her faith, her intelligence, and her love, Kay manages to hold her family together even as England collapses under the powerful effects of an unstoppable war. The picture's ending on a strong note of hope is that lingering optimisim which was the hope of audiences during WWII... that one day, there would be peace.

Garson won an Academy Award for her brilliant portrayal, and rightly so, for she invests her scenes with a genuine determination and will: In one scene, she holds a German soldier at bay with a gun in her kitchen as her children sleep upstairs. In another scene, she reads "Alice in Wonderland" to her children in a bomb shelter as bombs begin to fall over them. In still another scene, Garson drives with her daughter-in-law (Teresa Wright, whose charming portrayal earned her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress) through a countryside engaged in sky battle.

William Wyler's brilliant direction sears through the film and its cast, earning him an Oscar for Best Director, and for the film itself, Best Picture of 1942.

Still powerful after half a century, "Mrs. Miniver" is a brilliant testament to the soldiers who lost their lives on the battleground- and on the homefront- in defense of their country. Wartime audiences were given a great boost of morale in this movie, and that morale shines through in this indescribably great film classic.

It is such a disappointment to not be able to obtain the DVD edition of Mrs. Miniver yet. This is a film I shared with my granddaughter several years ago and is a warm memory for her.

It was my pleasure and honor to meet Greer Garson at the end of her life at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. It was her birthday and our department was responsible for the setting up of the room and the refreshments. I was to uncork the champagne. At 5:30pm, Mrs. Fogelson (her married name) was wheeled into the room, absolutely radiant at the age of 92, wearing a brocade gown that matched the beauty of her green eyes. The celebration was short, in keeping with her frail condition, but she was such a grand lady, just like her presentation of Mrs. Miniver. Frail, yet regal. Queenlike, yet personable.

After her party, I took flowers to her room. She had already been tucked back into bed, but still so pretty, though tired. I went to her bed and she held out her hand to me. She held my hand with both of hers, and I felt as though I was the most important person she had ever met.

Evertime I watch the movie, Mrs. Miniver, I am transported back to that day by her bed after her birthday. She lived only two more years, but everyone remembered her with such love and respect. I treasure having been given the very last glossy of her portfolio.

Rest in peace, beloved Mrs. Miniver.

Mrs. Miniver was an important film to come out of Hollywood during WWII. Not only was it a critical and commercial success, it had a great message for the British about continuing the fight. It also give the rest of the world a sense of what it was like for the British living with the constant threat of the Germans. The movie has a lot going for it. It's directed by William Wyler, who once again does an excellent job, balancing sentiment with drama in this story of Mrs. Miniver and her family. Greer Garson gives a warm performance as the model English wife and mother, and Walter Pidgeon is solid as her husband. The supporting cast of Teresa Wright, Dame May Whitty, and Henry Travers add much to the film. There are a number of scenes that I really enjoyed, including Mrs. Miniver's confrontation with a downed German airman, the Minivers' night in their shelter during an air raid, and the final scene in the Church. Almost sixty years later, it's easy to see the emotional impact this film must have had on audiences.

When MRS. MINIVER was released in 1942, England and Germany had been at war for nearly three years and the British armed forces were no lock to win. The United States had been openly aiding England with war materials, but it had been only a few months before that America became directly involved after Pearl Harbor. Hollywood knew that it would take many months before American aid could tip the scales in England's favor, and MRS. MINIVER was filmed to fill this gap by suggesting that our British allies were getting along well enough for us not to worry. The movie was successful beyond Hollywood's wildest expectation, and this success was not measured only in the seven Academy Awards won (best picture, best director (William Wylie), best actress (Greer Garson) among others, the film galvanized Americans to see a war that was still abstract for most and portray it on a personal level.
Greer Garson plays Kay Miniver, the upper middle-class wife of Mr. Miniver (Walter Pidgeon)in the early days of the war. Kay Miniver, though pictured as the stereotypical English woman chock full of optimism, courage, and resourcefullness, is symbolically seen as more American than British. When she hears about the outbreak of hostilities in 1939, the war seems rather a detached affair for her: life goes on for her and her family in a rather unruffled way. Slowly, the war becomes increasingly personal. She must alter her daily habits of consumption. Her son volunteers for the RAF. Her husband sails to Dunkirk to rescue the trapped British Army. Ultimately, she even physically takes part in the war by capturing a downed Luftwaffe pilot. As Kay Miniver morphs from passive supporter to active participant, the audience does too. The subtle psychological switch is accomplished through the believable interaction of the cast, a result that allows their personal lives to evolve in a manner similar to Mrs. Miniver's. Her son (Richard Ney) falls in love with Carol (Theresa Wright), which in turn allows the audience to empathise with Mrs. Miniver over fears for her son when he flies in combat. Carol is a fully fleshed character whose own life later takes on tearful and tragic overtones that serve to remind the audience that the price of freedom can never be paid in abstract coin, but only in the deeply personal coin that counts.
Much of the power of this movie resides in individual scenes that are stark reminders of the nobility of the Allied cause. Characters in MRS. MINIVER tend to lecture each other rather than engage in spontaneous conversation, but these set speeches are not necessarily a bad thing. Their measured tones simply reinforce the message that England is America's ally. There are two scenes of speeches that resonate even today. The first involves a German pilot (Helmut Dantine) who has parachuted onto Mrs. Miniver's garden, where he holds her captive. Even though he has no legitimate chance to escape, he nevertheless takes advantage of the moment to warn her and the audience that the devastation that had fallen on Europe and Britain was but the precursor to a much more lethal destruction soon to follow. Dantine's voice is full of a slightly hysterical smugness that must have grated on the audience of 1942. The second scene is the famous view of the bombed out church that closes the movie. The vicar (Henry Travers) exhorts the congregation in tones and words that amplify the theme that tragic acceptance of personal loss is the brutal necessity to achieve victory. As he speaks, the camera lingers over empty chairs that had contained living parishioners, many of whom were women and choirboys. God is clearly on the Allied side. MRS. MINIVER achieved its purpose of uniting the allies in a holy war against Nazism. Not many 'message' movies retain their intrinsic entertainment value decades after the message has become an historical footnote, but MRS. MINIVER is such a rare film. It makes you care about that message even when you know you are being manipulated.

This film highlights the resilient nature of the British in the face of adversity. The movie begins before the war with the typical middle-class family. You learn their joys and their everyday concerns. Then, the message comes to let them know that war, WWII, has started.

Greer Garson plays Mrs. Miniver who is at the center of the story. Her oldest son has enlisted as a pilot and serves to defend England in the Battle of Britain. Her husband works with a civil defense unit and helps to evacuate soldiers at Dunkirk. Through all this, you see her continue life, as hard as it is, with a positive attitude and a stiff upper-lip.

If you are a fan of war movies, I would highly recommend seeing this movie. It not only provides a contrast, but allows you to see another facet of war. A great movie.

"Mrs. Miniver", was without a doubt the most famous film to come out of the World War Two period and provided inspiration and courage to countless people across the globe either already suffering the effects of war or living in fear of it possibly coming. It is among my personal favourites and I never fail to be moved and inspired by the simple story contained in "Mrs. Miniver". Criticised as being dated, or overly sentimental. I believe its simple message of looking after your fellow man and being strong for others in times of adversity is ageless. Towering over "Mrs. Miniver",is the performance by Greer Garson as house wife Kay Miniver who's comfortable existence is changed forever as she and her family like countless others, face the prospect of war and it's consequences. It was a landmark performance that rightly became associated ever after with Greer Garson and endeared her to a whole generation of everyday people who identified with the dilemmas Kay Miniver faced in the movie.

Nowadays its hard to believe that Greer Garson was highly reluctant to undertake the role after MGM's former queen Norma Shearer turned it down. Afraid of being forever typed into playing noble self sacrifing women rather than the comedy characters she aspired to, it nevertheless was the best career decision she ever made and it also cemented her legendary association with fellow actor Walter Pidgeon who plays her loving husband Clem. Mrs. Miniver was responsible for making this pair the most popular screen team of the 1940's. Based on the serialised novel by Jan Struther "Mrs. Miniver", was as timely a film as could be imagined in early 1942. With war raging in Europe and America on the brink of joining in this tale of a comfortable middle class English family and the trials and tragedies they undergo as a result of the war struck a chord everywhere. The film begins in the leisurely period just prior to England's becoming involved in the war against Germany. Distant rumblings are being heard about German aggression in Poland but life is taking its usual course in the small town of Belham until the Prime Minister announces that England is at war with Germany. Life is totally transformed over night as eldest son Vin (Rihard Ney) enlists in the RAF and shortages and black outs become a regular feature of everyday life. The full horrors of war come to the Village as the bombings begin, houses are destroyed and life is lost. Clem Miniver (Walter Pidgeon) gets a first hand look at the war when he is recruited to take part in the gruelling evacuation of Dunkirk, and Mrs. Miniver has a terrifying confrontation with a downed German pilot where she is held at gun point in her kitchen. Tragedy later strikes the family when only two weeks after the wedding to Vin, Carol Beldon/Miniver (Teresa Wright) is killed by some stray shell fire. Like in all times of war however the human spirit is still maintained and life goes on. Despite the danger of Nazi bombing the famous Belham flower show goes ahead as usual and elderly Lady Beldon (Dame May Whitty), a former believer in maintaining "one's place in the order of things", learns a lesson in humility when she graciously lets humble Mr. Ballard (Henry Travers), have the thrill of his life by winning the Best Rose at the show with his "Mrs. Miniver", Rose.

There of course is the famous quote by Winston Churchill in regard to this films impression on people that "Mrs. Miniver" was worth more to England's war effort than a dozen destroyers. High praise indeed. Of course in our present cynical age it's very easy to ridicule this film with its often picture post card views of English life just prior to the outbreak of war. I personally feel the film goes a long way towards trying to seriously show what life was like pre 1939 and certainly how that life was changed forever, and often tragically, by the bombings and losses that England endured. Its message of dealing with adversity and moving on is a universal theme just a relevant today. Criticism was also strangely made of the fact that the Miniver's where a quite affluent upper middle class family with servants. The movie I feel clearly illustrates that all classes suffered equally during the war and experienced loss and sadness. Despite her reluctance to take on the role Greer Garson IS Mrs. Miniver and never can I think of a more perfect marriage of actress and character. The film was not an especially pleasant working time because director William Wyler as seen in his famous work with Bette Davis, was notorious for his repeat takes and commanding manner on film sets. He clashed with famed MGM set designer Cedric Gibbons over what he termed Gibbons' "Chocolate Box" English Village set and often drove Greer Garson to distraction with his brusque direction. Despite those tensions the end result on screen was well worth it and the film boasts many unforgettable scenes and performances. The supporting cast is unsurpassed with the standouts being Teresa Wright as the tragic Carol Beldon, Dame May Whitty as Lady Beldon and especially Henry Travers in his touchingly poignant performance as Mr. Ballard, the station-master and creator of the "Mrs. Miniver" Rose. . The air raid scenes also are depicted in a stark and no holds barred manner that vividly convey the terror people experienced during these frightening bombings.

Topping Exhibitors polls everywhere as the most popular film of 1942 and winning 7 Academy awards in the process, including Best Film, Actress (Greer Garson), Best Supporting Actress (Teresa Wright) and Best Director (William Wyler), few films have left such an indelible impression on moviegoers in any time. Mrs. Miniver", has certainly gone down into movie history much the same way as "Gone with the Wind" has. As entertainment of its time "Mrs. Miniver", I believe is unsurpassed and makes for a totally engrossing movie experience. Tragedy and happiness are all equal components of our lives and "Mrs. Miniver", is richly endowed with both. A true movie treasure.

One of the most important films of World War II, Mrs. Miniver is the wonderful story of a middle-class English family during the German Blitz. I'll admit that the film occasionally feels a bit forced, but that seems to have been the point. It's telling that director William Wyler battled with studio head Louis B. Mayer to include a fascist-spouting Nazi pilot; once Pearl Harbor was attacked, Mayer let Wyler have his way with the character. Mrs. Miniver provided a great deal of morale in the early war years, so much so that Winston Churchill said the film was more helpful than a fleet of destroyers. The film's real power is derived from the wonderful performance of Greer Garson in the title role; the film established her as THE leading lady of the 1940s and it's easy to see why. She's radiant here, giving a controlled, yet spirited performance (oddly, she didn't want the role, and took it only when Norma Shearer passed it up). She won a richly deserved Oscar for it, though she's gone down in history for having given a one-hour acceptance speech--in reality, it was only 5 minutes, much shorter than some we have to endure today.

I've seen this film several times now, and despite knowing what occurs, the beauty never wears off.

The film is aesthetically lovely, thanks to William Wyler's low key yet attentive and detailed style. The characters act naturally, something oft times missing in older films that lean to be more stylized. The acting is incredible in this film, and something many a modern film would do well to copy. Greer Garson is the portrait of strength, beauty, and dignity as Mrs. Miniver in a brilliantly played role. Yet it's the substance that stays with you. The film is telling a story about people and a time in history, and it's simple because it allows itself to be. It flows like real life, the trivial, the simple, the small moments, the enormous and life shattering. It taps into the real emotions people feel, and not big "war movie" emotions, but the joy of greeting a child upon return, of having a flower named after you and winning an award, of happiness and humor, of exhaustion, fear, pain, and grief. The film gently brings us into another life and lets us reside there. While there, we begin to love the Minivers and those that they love.

At one point in the movie, the family is in a bomb shelter and Mr. and Mrs. Miniver are talking. Mr. Miniver picks up "Alice in Wonderland" and begins to recite a passage about the joys of childhood, a summer past, and the simple pleasures in life. Mrs. Miniver finishes the passage, and Mr. Miniver (Walter Pidgeon) mentions that he wonders if Lewis Carrol ever thought that his story would be so beloved decades later. I found that interesting, because after all these years and viewings, it's the characters and their palpable experiences and emotions, the strength and courage they show, and the simplicity of the film in allowing us to see it plainly and feel it too, because it's a story of the human experience we can all relate with that isn't limited to the battleground, that do and will keep this movie everlasting, and an homage to the human spirit.

A must-see movie about courage, love, family, country. Is it reality? Not a bit. Is it true? Absolutely. Reality is that Greer Garson was having an affair with the actor who plays her son in the movie. Truth: hundreds and thousands of people did respond to the challenges of wartime with the grace and honor portrayed here. The movie is about how ordinary and good people, a middle-class English family, hold on to what's important in life even when danger and tragedy strikes.

It's a pleasure to see the era's finest, handsomest actors demonstrating how we all hope we'd behave if we were tested by war. Imagine, a movie that lets us see the fun and intimacy of marriage, the passion of family, the patriotism that comes from an honest appreciation of a culture's advantages without pretending to hide for a minute from its faults.

If this is a tear-jerker, it's because some things are worth tears.

Oh Hollywood, if you would only give us less reality and more truth!

When I watch this film, I feel like I am in Britain during those dramatic months when the RAF was fighting daily to ward off the brain-washed German barbarians, and the world was hanging by a thread. (Helmut Dantin shouts in German like Hitler at one point: "We will destroy everything!")Though it won the Academy Award in 1942, it was in fact made in 1941, and it is about events in 1939-1940, when Britain stood alone, a never-to-be-forgetten moment in human history. People more objective than I will call it propaganda; I call it a dramatic portrayal of the essence of a historial moment.

Willie Wilder manages to create on a Hollywood studio lot the atmosphere of village in Southern England (near Portsmouth perhaps). The flower show scene is superbly done: a wonderful madrigal choir sings a classical English folk song. It is a very English moment. Wilder's got the train (as they were then) right and the station, as well as the Enlish church with its private pews for the gentry. He even manages to get English accents out of everyone except Walter Pidgeon. Ney who plays Miniver's son (in real life about to marry his mother) and little Christopher Severn, her other son, are straight up and down Americans, but they pull off the accent perfectly. Dame May Whittey gives the sense of quality and breeding that was then a part of English character. Wilder touches affectionately upon English class obsessions, their former love of and excellence at gardening, the cockiness and the fashionable pseudo-radicalism of young Oxbridge graduates, the understated physical bravery of the English people. It's a brilliant job of director and a fabulous piece of revenge on Wilder's part for Hitler's antisemitism, of which he was a victim.

Mrs. Miniver is more than a film. It is part of history. It communicates the indominable spirit of the English people. Ney, who plays Miniver's son, is a subtle combination of youth and very purposeful strength. He giggles and cackles like a boy in front of his parents and siblings, but when he gets the girl alone he knows what he wants, and you recognize that he is very much a man. You realize also that in a Spitfire dogfight with the Germans over England, he will win. There are many angles to this film that warrant watching it a number of times.

"Mrs Miniver" did a lot to bring world opinion around to Britain's side, and in that, it is unique in Hollywood history as film of historical importane.