Customer Reviews

This Land Is Mine

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

The movie told of the early days of a small town in France under German occupation. How the townsfolk responded and reacted to the shrewd and manipulative German leadership? For one, the mayor and the business owners were speculators and still made good money out of the situation. To the middle class, like the railway executive George (George Sanders), peace was so important that they cooperated with the Germans as much as they disliked them. For most folks, they made do with the scarcity of food and milk by paying a hefty price for petty portions in the black market. Still underground resistance came from the educators (the Jewish headmaster and the beloved school teacher Louise (Maureen O'Hara)), who ensured that the seed of freedom was uninhibited in the minds of the school children, and also the pragmatists, who printed propagandas and orchestrated sabotage.

The one who made the complete transformation was the older school teacher Albert Lory (Charles Laughton) - a mama's boy who was terrified by air raid, choked by smoking a cigarette, shook before the Germans and unable to declare his love for Louise. His unflattering face, timidity and senior age gave him a big handicap; he was an impossible candidate for a hero. Yet impossibilities are improbable possibilities in desperate times. Imprisoned for allegedly throwing a bomb, released but then accused of being an informant for the Germans, being put in a murder trial and offered his freedom by the German if he played properly his new role as the new headmaster. Mr. Lory was relieved for this arrangement until he saw the end of the highly respectable former headmaster. Hereafter, a hero was born.

Charles Laughton not only made the change plausible, he amplified and emphasized it with his superb acting. To his credit, Mr. Lory was as cowardly then as he was heroic now. The two speeches Charles Laughton made in the murder trial, before and after the German's offer, epitomized their lives under the German occupation. His last lesson, albeit a short one, to the school children was his one chance to win them over - for the future of the country lay in their hands. And he delivered the message across the classroom with conviction and power, as only a hero could.

Thanks to the director and the script, Mr. Lory underwent change not because of his love for Louise but for his country. He needed not be handsome and young to be the leading hero, as present movies would undoubtedly prefer. Maureen O'Hara, as Louise, lent her good sense, strength of character and beauty to make the heroine complete. Una O'Connor, as Mrs. Lory who betrayed a young man for his son's freedom, was impeccable.

More to that, Mr. Lory accused the mayor who, even though from poor background, once assumed power, was reluctant to relinquish what he had at the expense of their countrymen. How true this still is from developing to developed countries all over the world. Should countrymen resort to sabotage so that foreign occupiers were engaged at all fronts and stretched thin? This is a double-edged sword which could work against the evil as well as the peacekeeping force. This is a movie who raised provoking questions rather than offering solutions.

Often dismissed today as flag-waving wartime "filler," this underrated 1943 drama builds to an emotional finale that's as understated as it is compelling. Modern charges of preachiness, datedness and propagandistic are not only unfair, but ultimately pointless. Almost every character is "shaded," unlike those portrayed in real propaganda movies. None are simplistic or caricatured, not even the villains. Indeed, the film makes a point of showing that everyone is, in reality, "two people." Made during a time of worldwide chaos and upheaval, the thoughtful and intelligent screenplay by Dudley Nichols is just as relevant today as it was 70 years ago.

The film asks an audacious, unflinching question: Is it worth the lives of the innocent to combat tyranny and oppression? THIS LAND IS MINE doesn't pretend to have easy answers - but it does have a point of view, and makes its case very well. I found the final scene in which a transformed schoolmaster bids farewell to his young class of future citizens both honest and unexpectedly moving. Never has a reading of The DECLARATION Of The RIGHTS Of MAN sounded more eloquent, carried more conviction or packed such an emotional wallop.

This film deserves to be better known. Forget what the "experts" say, and give it a chance. Lastly, the stellar quality of the film's celebrated star, director and supporting cast of veteran character actors goes without saying.

This title is frequently forgotten or at least overlooked, at the moment to make a whole account about the major films of the master Jean Renoir. This is an epic portrait about a simple French professor who overtly emerges as a hero before the Nazis in plain German besiege. As always the giant Charles Laughton delights us with his monumental performance.

This movie won an Academy Award as Best Sound in 1943.

"This Land is Mine" is a 1943 black and white film by Jean Renoir starring Charles Laughton and Maureen O'Hara with George Sanders, Walter Slezak and Una O'Connor. It tells the story of life in a small European village that has been taken over by the Nazis.

There are several films made during WW2 about German occupation, the most famous being "Casablanca" (1942) set in North Africa. "Hangmen Also Die" (1943) is about the true life assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, the Nazi "Protector" of German-occupied Prague. "The North Star" (1943) focuses on Ukraine resistance fighters. "Edge of Darkness" (1943) concerns Nazi occupation of a Norwegian village. Similar B films include "They Raid by Night" (1942), "Commandos Strike at Dawn" (1942), and "First Comes Courage" (1943). "Uncertain Glory" (1944) gave us the view from France.

Charles Laughton (1899-1962) plays a cowardly school teacher who is in love with his much younger colleague (Maureen O'Hara). Laughton is arguably the most capable actor in Hollywood's golden era. His performances in films such as "Mutiny on the Bounty" (1936) and "Witness for the Prosecution " (1958) are peerless, and when you consider he received best actor nominations for both films, separated by more than 20 years, this speaks volumes. He won the best actor award for his portrayal in "The Private Life of Henry VIII" (1933) and gave unforgettable performances as Quasimodo in "The Hunchback of Norte Dame" (1939), Inspector Javert in "Les Miserables" (1935). Laughton is marvelous as usual.

Maureen O'Hara plays a school teacher whose brother is part of the Resistance.. Early on she lit up the screen at 19 as Esmeralda in "Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1939). She could play comedy ("Miracle on 34th Street in 1947), or action ("Bagdad" in 1949) and she did 5 films with Wayne - "Rio Grande" (1950), "The Quiet Man" (1952), "Big Jake" (1971), "McClintock" (1963), and "Wings of Eagles" (1957).

Suave George Sanders (1906-72) appeared in hundreds of films, often as a villain. He's best remembered as film critic Addison DeWitt in "All About Eve" (1950) for which he won the Oscar as Best Supporting Actor. Sanders plays O'Hara's boyfriend and a collaborator who runs the local railroad yard.

Una O'Connor (1880-1959) plays Laughton's mother. She was a terrific actress who made nearly 100 films between 1929 and 1957. She was a true scene stealer and did so in films such as "The Invisible Man" (1933), "Bride of Frankenstein" (1935), and "The Adventure of Robin Hood" (1938). She is once more a hoot to see in this film.

Walter Slezak (1902-83) was a great character actor who appeared in more than 50 films, often as a villain (e.g., "Lifeboat", "Born to Kill") but he did well in comedies (e.g., "The Pirate", "The Inspector General") and musicals, and won a Tony for "Fanny". He plays the Nazi officer in charge of the town and manages to combine charm with villainy.

Handsome Kent Smith (1907-85) plays a resistance fighter and O'Hara's brother. He made about a dozen films before transitioning to TV in the 50s. He's probably best known for "Cat People" (1942) and "Curse of the Cat People" (1944) and his recurring role as Dr. Morton on "Peyton Place" (1964-6).

Grandfatherly Thurston Hall (1882-1958) plays the corrupt Mayor who claims to be working with the Nazis for the sake of the people, while he buys up all the land he can. Hall is most famous for his role as Mr. Schuyler in the "Topper" TV series (1953-5), but he appeared in hundreds of films between 1915 and 1957.

Jean Renoir (1894-1979) was the son of the famous impressionist painter and is considered one of France's best directors. He was nominated 3 times at the Venice Film Festival and won twice ("Grand Illusion" and "The River"), won the NBR award and was Oscar nominated for "The Southerner" (1945). Renoir was present in France when it fell, and he considered this film a more accurate depiction of the intricacies of Nazi collaboration, and he hoped it would generate sympathies for the fight of conquered people.

FWIW - Renoir served in World War 1 where he was wounded.

The photography from Frank Redman (1906-) is beautiful and crisp and while this is a studio film, good angles help open it up. Redman filmed more than 70 movies, often crime dramas like "San Quentin" (1946) and "Dick Tracey's Dilemma" (1947).

The main plot point comes when Laughton is arrested and held as a hostage, and in an effort to save his life his mother betrays the identity of the saboteur. Angered by the subsequent death of the saboteur, Laughton rushes to confront Sanders who has committed suicide from the shame of his part in the betrayal, but Laughton is found at the scene holding the gun and is tried for Sanders' murder. During the trial, Laughton talks about the occupation and its impact on the people, and in an effort to shut him up, Slezak offers him his freedom.

This is a film filled with so many extraordinary performances that it's hard to single any one out, although the concluding courtroom scene with Laughton and O'Hara could be used to teach advanced acting anywhere in the world. Though the film tends at times to get preachy, considering the time, place, and events, the director can be forgiven for what today may look like a heavy hand.

Bottom line - a well made film with excellent performances and a valuable lesson. If Amazon offered a 10 point system I would give it a 9, but failing that, it's 5 stars.

This Land Is Mine is set "somewhere in Europe" according to its credits ;director Jean Renoir is being a tad disingenuous here because it quite clearly takes place in his native France during World War 2, a nation then under Geram occupation and from which Renoir had fled to avoid possible censorship and arrest by the Germans.

Charles Laughton plays a cowardly schoolteacher ,Arthur Lory,openly mocked by his students and prone to whimper ,cringe and seek solace from his mother during air-raids.(Una O'Connor).He looks to keep a low profile during the occupation until he comes under the influence of Professor Sorel(Philip Merrivale)a man passionate about the need to resist tyranny.He also turns to a fellow teacher Louise Martin(Maureen O'Hara)who is sympathetic both to his individual plight and to the Resistance .His brother (Kent Smith )is an active member of the Resistance also and Arthur is increasingly drawn to that group.He is placed on trial for a murder of which he is innocent and the movie culminates in his trial and its consequences

The script is overly preachy and VERY talky but its themes are important ones and the picture has real substance .It is also quite a bold movie for its time -it was made when the war was ssill going on- in that it does not see things in stark black and white terms .The occupying Geramns are not all evil and the French are shown as partly colluding with their occupiers and not simply as innocent victims .Many collaborate with the Nazis to ensure they stay immune from punishment and be able to maintain the even tenor of their prewar lives.It is not an overtly propandist movie and it takes into account the flaws in human nature that result in evil being allowed to flourish .

It is more an anti=propaganda movie than it is a propaganda piece and gives a collaborator -played well by George Sanders-reasons for his stance and captures the fear and suspicion engendered by military occupation very forcefully indeed .It is ultimately a movie about human nature under pressure
Laughton is as ever superb especially in scenes of his terror which is presented nakedly and with total honesty and the rest of the cast are more than adequate

I urge people to see the movie to get a sense of life under the jackboot and how they might react themselves in a similar situataion

This is a great movie. It will inspire its audience to stand up for freedom whenever it's threatened. So I feel the need to stand up for freedom by correcting an error in the movie:

When discussing books that the Nazis would ban, the movie gave Plato's Republic as an example. The Nazis did not ban Plato's Republic. The Nazis LOVED Plato:

On May 1, 1933, "Martin Heidegger joined the Nazi Party . . . . On May 27 . . . . Heidegger spoke of the need for philosophy to exercise 'spiritual leadership' in the present world-historical crisis, so that Germany could fulfill its historical mission as grounded in a new order of being. He concluded by quoting from Plato's Republic. After his speech, the students pledged their loyalty to Hitler as the leader of the nation." - from an article by Larry Arnhart

The movie should have used something that actually was banned by the Nazis, such as the works of Ludwig von Mises:

"In March 1938, the Nazis occupied Austria. They broke into the apartment of Ludwig von Mises, who was away teaching in Geneva. The Nazis took all the papers and correspondence of this Austrian economist they considered their most important intellectual enemy." - from the website, "Controversial and Banned Books."

THE MOVIE WAS GREAT. I WATCHED IT ON TCM TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED BY IT. IT SHOWS HOW IT IS EASY FOR THINGS TO BECOME CLOUDED WHEN FACED WITH HAVING TO CHOOSE TO STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN OR BE A COWARD. I'D LOVE TO BUY THIS MOVIE BUT CAN'T AFFORD THE $25. PRICE ON IT. I HOPE THEY WILL GO DOWN ON THE PRICE AND I WILL BE ABLE TO GET IT ANOTHER TIME.