The film has what would later come to be regarded as the workmanlike but sometimes 'cheap' characteristics of TV films, in that its 'look' (tight camera shots for supposedly outdoor scenes etc) is often borne of budgetary necessity. In other ways it reflects the two leading ladies very different professional personas, and because of this it hovers between the styles of American and British films of the time. That said, the leading ladies both bring their specific charms to their roles and there is an awkward but believable fondness between their characters.
Before too long the true stories of many real heroines would emerge and be filmed ('Odette', 'Carve her name with Pride' etc) and this film would be forgotten. It's tone is at odds with those very reverential films, it has the feel of fiction often, because it uses so many existing film conventions (scene setting etc) which were eschewed by the filmakers who later transferred the true stories to celluloid (creating new cliches along the way).
All that aside, it has some charm, pathos, tension, shock and genuine feeling in it, and I enjoyed it. Both ladies worked very hard for the war effort in real life, though Gracie had to prove it at home in the UK being married to an Italian at the outbreak of hostilities. And you can still feel their star power for all the 'fish out of Hollywood comedy' feel that Bennett sometimes has, or the humdrumness of Fields' character. Worth viewing. Note especially Fields in the last scenes, who really does a lovely job in a very difficult scene.
Before too long the true stories of many real heroines would emerge and be filmed ('Odette', 'Carve her name with Pride' etc) and this film would be forgotten. It's tone is at odds with those very reverential films, it has the feel of fiction often, because it uses so many existing film conventions (scene setting etc) which were eschewed by the filmakers who later transferred the true stories to celluloid (creating new cliches along the way).
All that aside, it has some charm, pathos, tension, shock and genuine feeling in it, and I enjoyed it. Both ladies worked very hard for the war effort in real life, though Gracie had to prove it at home in the UK being married to an Italian at the outbreak of hostilities. And you can still feel their star power for all the 'fish out of Hollywood comedy' feel that Bennett sometimes has, or the humdrumness of Fields' character. Worth viewing. Note especially Fields in the last scenes, who really does a lovely job in a very difficult scene.