Carve Her Name With Pride [DVD]

This film ranks along with other classics like Brief Encounter and deserves a place among all the other second world war films as representing the sacrifice of the SOE women who risked and even gave their lives in the cause of freedom and country. The memorable lines from the film come from the real life poetry. A weepy classic and a must see for every generation.

A really marmite film in some ways. The film is split in two unequal parts.It's also setup to tell a story in 4 parts of character development.Since the book, this film is based on, was released, more information on the life of Violette (Bushell) Szabo has come to light. However, where this film is concerned, the two main chunks are a bit like chalk and cheese.The opening is at a rather slow developing pace with an exciting full-on charge in the final quarter. Violet is portrayed as a commoner of the community where life is uneventful.We then see a development with an "inciting incident" of meeting a Frenchman. This quickly develops into a desperate need to get married as he is going out to war in Africa and therefore must become pregnant too.Tragedy ensues and Violette becomes a widowed mother. Through an unexplained series of channels she is sommoned to the Department of Pensions where she is approached by the head of a new department in the Gov, set up by Churchill, the SOE.For her, the "call to arms" is too great, so she joins up and gets trained up. Not being able to tell anyone puts huge tension upon the family members. There is a great part played by Jack Warner (Dixon of Dock Green) as Violette's upright but concerned father.Even Violette's 1st mission is rather slow and methodical as it all goes to plan in France.But the pace quickens with the urgency of a 2nd mission that comes out of the blue. That emotional Gut Puch where it is estimated that there is only a 50/50 chance of survival in a mission of such magnitude, particularly as she is now known by the occupying forces in France.The urgency of the matter pushes Violette to "the point of no return", and her character foreshadows doom by the obvious and highly signaled acting, as expected in these 50s war dramas.And so it is, per chance, she becomes embroiled in an gun battle, trying to escape the clutches of a passing German troop convoy in rural France.Captured and tortured she finally meets her end leaving behind her young daughter and elderly parents.The movie setup is classically told in "a hero's journey" story format. However the acting is stiff, as in the "upper lip" type. Paul Scofield (A man for all seasons) is no exception here. Though Bill Owen (Last of the summer wine) and Billie Whitelaw (The Omen) were very enjoyable to watch.There are some surprising names in the vast uncredited cast. Such as Michael Cain, Nigel Hawthorn, Robert Langley, Victor Madden etc; all playing bit parts.The music is unmemorable, the directing adequate, the script is predictable but the dialogue flowed well. As a B&W film its moodiness comes across quite well, but it really is a tad slow to get going and really doesn't do justice to the real character or her story.

Superb, moving true story, told perfectly. Virginia McKenna's little touch at the end, where she pauses slightly before the last "...and yours", making it clear that she, on behalf of Violette Szabo, is speaking directly to the audience, must have brought forth many a tear. Wonderful film celebrating a real woman who fully deserves to have her name spoken with pride.

Now if you want a film about action, this is for you. Virginia McKenna is absolutely brilliant in this film. Again it is filmed in Black / White. Directed by Lewis Gilbert. But it is brilliant. Jack Warner is her dad. Very well acted and directed. A must watch and well worth buying. I give it 10 / 10. PC. 14. 11. 2018. A Classic to watch.

Extremely well crafted film relating true events and the bravery of a woman compelled to use talents identified in her by the War Office for the good of her country's wartime struggle. Virginia McKenna plays the role with passion and conviction and it's gratifying to see Violet Szabo's true-life heroic tale and ultimate sacrifice brought to the screen in such a realistic (as opposed to Hollywood 'bombastic') way.An extremely moving film.

A big improvement on the old MGM R1 DVD this new mastering does not disappoint. Highly recommended.

This is a great film I love watching old movies or as I call it a Sunday afternoon film would recommend

I've seen this film before but always worth seeing again and brings back home how many brave people there were in the war