IN WHICH WE SERVE

UK, 1942, 115 minutes, Black and white.
Noel Coward, John Mills, Bernard Miles, Celia Johnson, Richard Attenborough, Kay Walsh, Daniel Massey.
Directed by David Lean, Noel Coward.

In Which We Serve was one of the most significant British war films made during the war itself. It was co-directed by Noel Coward and David Lean. Lean was at the beginning of his career which was to be marked by such films as This Happy Breed, Brief Encounter, Hobson's Choice, Lawrence of Arabia and The Bridge over the River Kwai. Coward also co-wrote the screen play and acted the central role. This role was based on the early war experiences of Lord Louis Mountbatten and several of Coward's speeches are almost the words of Mountbatten verbatim. The film also was an early milestone in the career of Richard Attenborough. The film was a morale boosting effort and was particularly well made. It also stands the test of time and makes its impact today.

1. This film as a war classic, as a tribute, morale booster, propaganda film? Its impact now?

2. The contribution of Noel Coward in writing, directing, acting, music, as contributing to Britain's morale during World War Two?

3. The quality of the black and white photography, the war action sequences, the presentation of English life at various levels, homes and recreation, customs and pre-war values, the threat to pre-war England, the impact of the Blitz? How well were these portrayed?

4. The effectiveness of the flashback structures the portrayal of the characters and their crisis, involving the audience emotionally with each of the characters? The presentation of the main characters within the war, their personalities? The interconnection of their lives? The continued thrust forward of the narrative chronologically?

5. The film's comment on pre-war expectations, pro and con the war? Preparations for war? Chamberlain's announcement and its impact? England's readiness? The propaganda value of the film?

6. How effective a morale-booster was the film? the presentation of the fighting effort, the Navy, the dedicated men even to injury and death? The heroism of wives and families waiting? Accepting death?

7. The film's value as a tribute, showing the effectiveness of the Forces in showing the nature of courage, the redemption of cowardice, the nature of heroism? How credibly were these portrayed? Too idealistically? Valuably?

8. How did the film make the ship Torrin the centre of the film? How did it build up the ship as a character of the film? The men and their relationship to the ship, toasting it, suffering when it was wounded, watching its destruction, cheering it as it finally went down?

9. The strength of the portrayal of the captain? His style, his aim for a happy and efficient ship, his command, his regard for all the men, the way that he administered justice to the toward and blamed himself, his helping the ship in its injuries, his survival and helping his men to survive, the importance of his farewell to all the men? The portrayal of the captain with his wife, children, friends? The values that he stood for, a traditional England?

10. The contrast with Shorty and his background? His work on the ship, his family and his mother, the encounter with Freda and marrying her, the birth of the son? The importance of the sequence where he told Walter of Kath's death? The traditional Englishman from another level of life?

11. The warmth of the relationship between Walter and Kath? Their home life, their outings? Kath's mother and her cantankerousness? Freda and her pregnancy? How moving and convincing was the build up to the Blitz raid, Kath's death?

12. The officer and his fiancee and the build-up of marriage and the hope of the future?

13. The portrayal of the young coward, the credibility of his running away, the justice of the captain's comments, his blaming himself? The sailor's later heroism and death?

14. The portrayal of the ordinary sailors and their contribution to the war effort? Their morale? The may of life on the ship?

15. The importance of survival at the end of the film? As a symbol for England, though wounded, hanging on and surviving?

16. The film as a war action film? Its value in its day, its value in its re-screening now?