THE NET
UK, 1953, 86 minutes, Black and white.
Phyllis Calvert, Noel William, Herbert Lom, James Donald, Robert Beatty, Muriel Pavlow, Walter Fitzgerald, Maurice Denham.
Directed by Anthony Asquith.
The Net is a British thriller released soon after The Sound Barrier, David Lean's film of development of planes and technology in the late '40s and early '50s. This film also treats of developing supersonic planes. However, the focus is small, on a group of experts who are developing a plane, their professional clashes and some espionage.
James Donald is the sturdy and single-minded hero. Phyllis Calvert is his sympathetic wife. There is a strong supporting cast including Robert Beatty as the security officer, Herbert Lom as a German background expert.
There are some brief flight sequences but the focus is generally on the personal drama. Direction is by Anthony Asquith, director of many of Terence Rattigan's films including The Winslow Boy, The VIPs.
1. Interesting and entertaining brief British thriller?
2. The background of technology of the '50s? Development of planes? Supersonic craft? The breaking of the sound barrier? The need to learn and develop flight?
3. Black and white photography, air sequences? The interiors? Musical score?
4. The title - and Michael's reference to being trapped in a net? The network of experts - and the breaking of the net with the spy?
5. Michael and his single-mindedness, arguing with Carrington? His wanting to fly the plane and learn? The risks? Distance from Lydia? His support of Brian? The party? The flight and his blacking out? Brian saving him? The aftermath and Brian's getting the job? His reaction? His flying with Dennis, Dennis being revealed as the spy, the dangers, his shrewd manipulation of the plane to avoid danger and the gun? The achievement and reconciliation with Lydia? His letter to her?
6. Lydia, the supportive wife, being confined in the compound? Friendship with Alex? Wanting to be close to Michael? Urging him down at the end of the film?
7. Alex, German background, under suspicion? His expertise in control? Seemingly unemotional? His love for Lydia?
8. Dennis, the doctor, Irish background, his letting Carrington die? Wanting to be flying with Michael? Manipulating him after the job being given to Brian? The confrontation in the plane? The irony of his reaching for the gun and breaking the line to his suit, which he invented? The Cold War background of flying east to a communist country?
9. Brian, his expertise, devotion to Michael, against the plan? His accepting the job? Caroline and her love for Brian, her resentment towards Michael? Her efficiency?
10. Sam, the role of security?
11. Carrington, in charge, his correctness in not wanting Michael to fly? His death? Sir James and the control of the project? American links and phone calls?
12. A thriller of the early '50s? In retrospect?
