Ronald Neame
1960
This excellent British drama is a far cry from ktichen-sink-realism, yet it's no less truthful for it's mannered performances and technicolor photography. With WWII finally over blustery hard drinking Lt. Jock Sinclair (Alec Guinness in a definitive role) is replaced by prim military-academy wiz Basil Barrow (a delightfully puckered John Mills). Soon a psychological battle is waged between the two officers for the hearts and minds of the troops - good old boy camaraderie and indulgence vs. strict traditional propriety. Neame makes no bones about who he prefers. Even at his lowest Jock seems the forgivable fool, a man of passion who acts then regrets, a working class blood and guts soldier. Barrow may be a "wee little" snob, and his notions of regimental decorum are a world away from the boisterous tendencies the regiment's grown accustomed to, but Neame avoids making him a one dimensional villain by illuminating his personal doubt and inner struggle as the man who stands alone. Unfortunately the film suffers from some heavy-handed melodrama in the epilogue. It would have been far more tragic and effective to have Jock carry on business as usual as opposed to the sobbing breakdown we're given.
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