Plot: The British and Maltese unite to fight off German aerial attacks on Malta during the Second World War
This is a nice little b&w Ealing Studios war effort, combining archive footage (effective in its simple documentary fashion) with a number of plot lines that move between the local Maltese, the British commanders, the ground forces, and the pilots. In many ways the film feels like a supplement to the George Cross won by Malta for her valour during the war, as every group gets their moment in the spotlight and a well- deserved pat on the back. The acting is nicely underplayed (especially an eccentric Alec Guinness), all the characters are decent and sensible people, and there is no shouting or screaming despite the stress and danger. The death of one of the main characters (I won't spoil it by saying who) is similarly effective in its quietness and swiftness, leading to a haunting (and wordless) final shot which says more about the damage caused by war than half a dozen gore-spattered modern spectacles. A wonderful Saturday afternoon film for fathers and sons.
This is a nice little b&w Ealing Studios war effort, combining archive footage (effective in its simple documentary fashion) with a number of plot lines that move between the local Maltese, the British commanders, the ground forces, and the pilots. In many ways the film feels like a supplement to the George Cross won by Malta for her valour during the war, as every group gets their moment in the spotlight and a well- deserved pat on the back. The acting is nicely underplayed (especially an eccentric Alec Guinness), all the characters are decent and sensible people, and there is no shouting or screaming despite the stress and danger. The death of one of the main characters (I won't spoil it by saying who) is similarly effective in its quietness and swiftness, leading to a haunting (and wordless) final shot which says more about the damage caused by war than half a dozen gore-spattered modern spectacles. A wonderful Saturday afternoon film for fathers and sons.