UNCERTAIN GLORY
US, 1944, 102 minutes, Black and white.
Errol Flynn, Paul Lukas, Jean Sullivan, Lucile Watson, Faye Emerson, James Flavin, Douglas Dumbrille, Dennis Hoey.
Directed by Raoul Walsh.
Uncertain Glory is one of several war films made patriotically by Raoul Walsh in the '40s and starring Errol Flynn. The others were Desperate Journey, Northern Pursuit, objective Burma.
This film resembles other propaganda films of the time like Joan of Paris with Michelle Morgan and Passage to Marseilles with Humphrey Bogart. The Hollywood cast has to portray French nationals and highlight America's support for France in the experiences of World War Two.
Flynn is a French criminal under the guard of Paul Lukas. Escaping from the guillotine at the last moment because of a war raid, Flynn accepts the possibility of substituting himself as a saboteur and being executed by the Germans to save the French. He does so. Flynn gives one of his usual suave performances. Paul Lukas, who had just won an Oscar for watch on the Rhine, is very good as his guard. There is a character supporting cast led by Lucille Watson. The film seems dated now but gives some idea of the popular propaganda film from Hollywood studios in the '40s.
1. An interesting and entertaining war drama? With a difference? The focusing on France and the war effort? The support of a Hollywood studio? Impact in its time? Now?
2. Warner Bros production values: the stars, black and white photography, French location atmosphere in the studios? A rousing musical score? Editing and pace?
3. The title (from Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona) and highlighting the ironies for Jean Picard? Appropriate for a criminal giving his life for the war effort?
4. Errol Flynn's portrait of Picard - in jail, his reputation as a thief, his condemnation, the guillotine, the air raid and his escape, his going to his gangster friends, the attraction of the gangster's girlfriend, his being betrayed by the gangster, the train trip, the break in the journey, the relationship with his guard (pursuer and pursued becoming allies)? iris encounter with the Resistance group? With Madame Maret? The friendship with Marianne? The situation of sabotage, the Resistance, the Germans wanting the saboteurs? Picard's decision to give himself? The backing of his guard? His heroism - and uncertain glory?
5. The contrast with Paul Lukas as Marcel Bonet? His role as policeman, his family life, the execution of Picard, his escape. his recapture. Bonet having him in custody, suspicions of him, Picard's proposition. the effect on Bonet, with the Resistance groups, his giving his support to Picard?
6. The sketch of the French gangsters - and Picard being betrayed by his friends?
7. The portrait of the French Resistance, the strength of Madame Maret, Marianne as an attractive heroine? The sketches of the Resistance members? The experience of the war, the presence of the Germans. the war effort? Reprisals?
8. Themes of resistance, life and death, loyalties, the experience of war? The heroism of giving life for others?
