MOONRAKER

UK, 1958, 82 minutes, Colour.
George Baker, Sylvia Sims, Marius Goring, Peter Arne,
Richard Leech, Clive Morton, Paul Whitsun- Jones, Gary Raymond, John Le Mesurier, Patrick Troughton, Michael Anderson Jnr.
Directed by David Mac Donald.

The Moonraker is a colourful adventure set in the days after the execution of Charles I. The clash is between Cavaliers and Roundheads. The Moonraker is an English noble who aids royalists wanting to escape to France. The Cavaliers are presented with great dash - and are the heroes of the film.

There is a reasonably sympathetic presentation of the Roundheads with their Puritan style, especially with Marius Goring's Colonel Beaumont. Oliver Cromwell is to be glimpsed in the form of John Le Mesurier.

The film is reminiscent of the action adventures from Hollywood in the '30s: non-stop action, romance, duels to the death. The film is full of English character actors and actresses of the period.

1. An enjoyable action adventure? Historical adventure?

2. Colour photography, the atmosphere of England in the 17th century, the Cavaliers and the Roundheads? Editing and pace? Duels and adventure? Musical score? Title song?

3. The title and the atmosphere of mystery around the Earl of Dawlish? The focus on the civil clash in Britain - audience knowledge of the civil war? The execution of Charles I? The power of Cromwell?

4. The focus on the Earl of Dawlish - seeing him in action, rescuing the royalists, getting them to France? The clashes with the Puritans? His friends, family? Cover? Riding the countryside? In local inns? His encounter with the Puritans in the inn? Major Gregg and the clash? The encounter with Anne Wyndham? Her attraction towards him? Her calling the Roundhead army? The attempt to smuggle Charles I's son to France? Lord Harcourt? The arrival of the troops? The attempted escape? Delaying tactics? The final duel? Anne's change of heart? Beaumont releasing her? A matinee hero?

5. Colonel Beaumont and his leadership of the Roundhead troops? His severity? The demands on Anne? His being summoned by her? His disappointment in her? His letting her go? A man of principle?

6. Oliver Cromwell and his leadership? Troops? Anti-royalist attitudes? The royalists fleeing, the son of the King, Lord Harcourt?

7. The innkeeper and his wife, their support of the royalists, the dangers, their cover? Martin and the danger in the house?

8. Anne and her Puritan style, her engagement to Beaumont, the encounter with Major Gregg, her attraction to , the discovery that he was the Moonraker, her calling the troops, her change of heart?

9. Major Gregg and his cover as Edmund Tyler, spy, his presence in the inn, messages, fight with the Moonraker, death?

10. The comedy with Parfitt?

11. Historical themes? Political themes? In the guise of matinee action adventure?