THE WAY TO THE STARS
UK, 1945, 104 minutes, Black and white.
Michael Redgrave, John Mills, Rosamund John, Douglass Montgomery, Stanley Holloway, Renee Asherson, Joyce Carey, Felix Aylmer, Bonar Colleano, Trevor Howard, Jean Simmons, David Tomlinson.
Directed by Anthony Asquith.
The Way to the Stars was made at the end of World War II. It looks back at Britain's recent history, from the Battle of Britain to action in 1944. It is a reminiscence, the audience being taken back to the old airfield, now dilapidated. It brings the airfield to life, action during the Battle of Britain, action in 1942, 1944.
The film has a strong cast, led by Michael Redgrave who is killed halfway through. His place is taken by an American, Douglass Montgomery. In fact, the film focuses on the arrival of the Americans, the culture clash on both sides, the working together to final victory. John Mills has the central role as a young pilot, learning the hard way, having his friends killed in action, reluctant to commit himself in marriage to Renee Asherson.
Also in the cast is Rosamund John, a stalwart of British films at this period, as the stoic manager of the hotel. Stanley Holloway does comic turns. Joyce Carey is particularly self-centred and prissy in a kind of Gladys Cooper role (treating her niece, Renee Asherson, as Gladys Cooper did Deborah Kerr in Separate Tables, also by Terence Rattigan). The film introduces Trevor Howard briefly as an officer, Bonar Colleano as an obstreperous American, Jean Simmons in singing a song to the troops.
There is very little air action. Rather, the focus is on characters, their interactions, the effect of war, the British attitude of good show, the stiff upper lip in the face of grief - the spirit that Britain felt helped it win the war. Direction is by Anthony Asquith who was to collaborate with Terence Rattigan over the next twenty years up to The VIPs. Playwright Terence Rattigan was a flight lieutenant and wrote the screenplay and was to continue to contribute plays and screenplays such as The Winslow Boy, Separate Tables, The Sleeping Prince over the coming decades.
1. The impact of the film in its time? The end of the war? In retrospect? A film
helping to understand the spirit of the times, the way people lived, the way people fought?
2. The title, the reference to the poems, the character of Johnnie, Everyman?
3. The black and white photography, the airfield, the town, an authentic atmosphere? The flight sequences? The musical score? The songs?
4. The opening, the reminiscence, the aftermath of the war, urging people to remember? The battles, the cost? Human relationships? The British, the Battle of Britain, the defence of Britain? The coming of the Americans, their attitudes, the stuffy British reaction, the welcoming?
5. The focus on David Archdale, his command, flight, attitude towards Peter Penrose, severe on him in the test? Comradeship, sharing the room, the way of life? His friendship with Toddy, the visits to the hotel? His leaving last, the proposal, the wedding? The years passing, their son? His cigarette lighter, not taking it, the superstition, the crash and his death? Toddy, her work at the hotel, businesslike, sympathetic, with the complaining old lady? Friendship with the men, listening to them? Her businesslike keeping of the accounts? Peter and his telling her of David's death? Her stoic reaction? Her continuing to work, her friendship with Johnny, the passing of the war, her support of him, listening to him? The future?
6. Peter Penrose, hopes, flight, learning by mistakes? Sharing with David Archdale, friendship with Toddy? His attraction towards Iris? Her aunt? His reaction to David's death, taking it severely, with Tiny, refusing to tell Toddy? His actually doing it? His breaking off from Iris, active, going to the socials, her being hurt? The passing of the years, his reaction to the Americans, friendships? His flights? Talking with Toddy, her urging him to speak to Iris, his proposal, the money per week, her acceptance? Iris, subservient to her aunt, her work in the hospital, her debt to her aunt, her being hurt by Peter, friendly with the American, the dance, breaking off when she saw Peter? Her acceptance of his proposal?
7. The aunt, her saying she didn't complain, her bullying of Iris? The reaction of people, Toddy? Iris leaving her, Toddy asking her to leave the hotel? Her angry outburst? The contrast with the jovial man, his telling jokes, everybody leaving, his singing, his delight in the woman's upset?
8. The other British, Tiny and his command, the confirmed bachelor, wise, giving advice? The other young flyers, the way of life, friendships, indiscretion, learning on the job?
9. The coming of the Americans, Johnny as a sympathetic character, his wife, children, friendship with Toddy, with Peter, being an uncle, telling stories, with the children in the village? The other Americans, brash, loud, complaints, criticisms? The gradual acceptance by the British? The flights, the deaths, their sharing the waging of the war?
10. The various officers, the stiff upper lip, good and bad show, deaths? The personnel, morale-boosting, the dances - and Jean Simmons and her song?
11. An overall picture of Britain during the period? Idealised? The way that the British would like to remember the war?
