Mrs. Miniver (1942) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Director: William Wyler Producer: Sidney Franklin Cast: Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Teresa Wright, May Whitty, Reginald Owen, Henry Travers. Awards ceremony: -15th Academy Awards: March 4, 1943. Cocoanut Grove, Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, California. Other films nominated for Outstanding Production this year: -49th Parallel. -Kings Row. -The Magnificent Ambersons. -The Pied Piper. -The Pride Of The Yankees. -Random Harvest. -The Talk Of The Town. -Wake Island. -Yankee Doodle Dandy. Plot summary: England 1939 and World War II has just broken out. Mr. & Mrs. Miniver (WALTER PIDGEON and GREER GARSON) are living in a small village on the outskirts of London when their son Vin (RICHARD NEY) returns home from university. He falls in love with a local girl (TERESA WRIGHT) and wants to marry her but is met with resistance from her elderly grandmother Lady Beldon (DAME MAY WHITTY). All the while, the loveable train master (HENRY TRAVERS) has grown a beautiful rose which he names the "Mrs Miniver" and enters it in a flower show, competing against the regular winner of the competition Lady Beldon. As war takes its toll, the community endure the bombings, the church gets hit and there is a tragedy within the family on account of a war-related freak accident. Standout scene: There are many, including the flower show where the judges seemingly award Lady Beldon first prize but the usually-stuffy woman has enough humility to concede the prize and give it to the train master instead. Another great scene is when Lady Beldon has a frank discussion with Kay Miniver regarding her granddaughter's intentions to marry Mrs. Miniver's son. There is a scene where the Miniver family huddle down in their bunker during an air raid which really does a lot to bring home the fear of the war to the casual viewer sitting in their comfy armchair whilst watching the film. The scene is shot with a deal of realism. But for me the most memorable scene is when the German pilot finds his way into Miniver's home and holds her at gunpoint. It is suspenseful and although the guy playing the solider isn't particularly a great actor (HELMUT DANTINE), the whole thing keeps you glued to the film. Facts: -The 15th Academy Awards. -The film was nominated for 12 Academy Awards, winning 6 of them: Picture, Director, Actress (Greer Garson), Supporting Actress (Teresa Wright), Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography (black and white). -The second year in succession where Walter Pidgeon starred in the Best Picture winner (he was also in the previous year's How Green Was My Valley.) Also appearing in both films was Rhys Williams. Personal opinion: Slow-paced and methodical for the most part, which isn't such a bad thing but it does sometimes feel like it drags. There are moments of brilliance, such as the standout scenes I have mentioned but unfortunately they don't do enough to stimulate the overall interest throughout the film. Walter Pidgeon is more of a screen filler than he is a great actor and his screen son Richard Ney is boring to watch and listen to! Above average film because of some very memorable scenes but in general it's nothing special. Did it deserve the Oscar? YES. 6/10

Review date: 16 February 2025