TWO MEN WENT TO WAR
UK, 2002, 109 minutes, Colour.
Kenneth Cranham, Leo Bill, Rosanna Lavelle, Phyllida Law, James Fleet, Julian Glover, Anthony Valentine, David Ryall, Derek Jacobi.
Directed by John Henderson.
Two Men Went to War is an entertaining what if…? story about World War Two. Kenneth Cranham plays a rather disgruntled World War One veteran who is sidelined in World War Two because of his age. He commands various groups including a squad which is being trained in dental surgery and equipment for the injured. This includes an earnest young man, played by Leo Bill. When the young man almost causes disaster by mishandling a grenade, the sergeant gets the idea that they should go on a mission to destroy a Nazi warship.
The film shows them going by train, taking a boat at Plymouth, going in circles and failing in their first attempt at sabotage. However, they go again, landing in France, and eventually carry out their mission. When they return, they are arrested and tried. In the meantime, Winston Churchill and his staff have found out about the mission and how it has provided a diversion when actual troops went in to recover some equipment. The two men are then not only exonerated but invited to afternoon tea with Churchill himself.
The film is a more serious variation on the Dad’s Army kind of story. The film has a strong supporting cast with David Ryall as Churchill, Derek Jacobi as his assistant, Phyllida Law as his secretary. Julian Glover presides over the court-martial and James Fleet is one of the officers.
The film was directed by John Henderson whose career has been mainly in television. However, he directed a number of entertainments for children including Loch Ness, Greyfriars Bobby and Mee-Shee: The Water Giant.
1.An old-style British war film – memories of the style of film of the 50s? For the beginning of the 21st century? The echoes of Dad’s Army?
2.The British locations, 40s atmosphere? At sea? In France? The German installation? The village? The musical score?
3.The title, the focus on Sergeant King, Private Cuthbertson? The initial encounter? Private Cuthbertson and the grenade? The explosion? Sergeant King and his reaction, his interest in using Cuthbertson?
4.The war effort? The training? Combat? The group and the dentists, the classes, Major Bates and his instructions? Cuthbertson and his distraction, not wanting to spend the war focusing on teeth?
5.The mission, King’s ambition? His background in World War One, his story, considered too old? His taking Cuthbertson with him? The preparations, on the train?
6.The reaction of the authorities? Considering them as having deserted? The contrast with the writing of the letter, its being delayed in Churchill’s offices?
7.Churchill, the war effort, Major Merton and his advice? Faith and her work as the secretary? The eventual arrival of the letter? Merton’s reaction?
8.In the village, the encounter with Emma, her mother? Cuthbertson saying that she might have been a spy? The later use of this in their testimony in the court-martial? The help?
9.Taking the boat, at sea, going in a circle? The dangers at sea, the oncoming shipping? The second attempt? Finding the German installation, surveillance? King and his grumpiness? Cuthbertson and his getting the food? The French girl? King and his throwing away the food?
10.The attack, the irony that it was the kitchen? The further action? The reaction of the Germans? King and Cuthbertson getting away?
11.The court-martial? The severity of the supervising colonel? Humiliating them? The arrival of Major Merton? The interrogation? Colonel Hatchard being upset? The ironic story of the attack on the kitchen? The consequences for the success of the broader mission? The invitation to meet Churchill?
12.A very British story? The underdogs? Success despite all opposition? Despite all suppositions about the possibilities for success?
