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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. S. Crook
Format:DVD
The suffering that the people of Malta went through during WW2 has largely been forgotten in the UK.
This film tries to show how much hardship was born by the Maltese and the British military on the island. It does it by conjuring a romance between an RAF pilot and a local girl, and generally it succeeds.
At the time the film was made parts of Malta were still showing the damage done by German bombing and the harbour and military installations were much as they had been during the war, making ground based scenes look quite authentic. Unfortunately, the films budget didn't run to halfway decent model work and anything showing planes in the air (that's not archive footage) is embarrassingly poor even for the day. At least being black and white, archive footage blends in pretty well.
The acting can be a bit emotionless at times (too much stiff upper lip perhaps), but Alec Guiness is excellent as the rather introvert pilot and he has good support from the likes of Jack Hawkins, Anthony Steel and Flora Robson.
Even allowing for it being an idealised portrayal of events on Malta, this film gives us a glimpse of what things must have been like for those involved and why the Maltese were awarded the George Cross Medal.
This film tries to show how much hardship was born by the Maltese and the British military on the island. It does it by conjuring a romance between an RAF pilot and a local girl, and generally it succeeds.
At the time the film was made parts of Malta were still showing the damage done by German bombing and the harbour and military installations were much as they had been during the war, making ground based scenes look quite authentic. Unfortunately, the films budget didn't run to halfway decent model work and anything showing planes in the air (that's not archive footage) is embarrassingly poor even for the day. At least being black and white, archive footage blends in pretty well.
The acting can be a bit emotionless at times (too much stiff upper lip perhaps), but Alec Guiness is excellent as the rather introvert pilot and he has good support from the likes of Jack Hawkins, Anthony Steel and Flora Robson.
Even allowing for it being an idealised portrayal of events on Malta, this film gives us a glimpse of what things must have been like for those involved and why the Maltese were awarded the George Cross Medal.
68 of 73 people found the following review helpful
By M. Hall
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a good war film. It captures the time well it does have a boy meets girl bit but that is not the main theme. It concentrates on the courage of an Island, its people and the waste of war. The visual effects are strictly 1950s but nevertheless they tell the story. Good acting, true events and a bit of true British stiff upper lip. In hindsight the film captures a time when country mattered, when discipline was a way of life, when courage was valued, when morality meant something and sacrifice was expected - perhaps we could learn from it.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By MichaelT
Format:DVD
This classic film is what would now be called a "dramatised documentary" rather than a simple narrative story. Although the style and dialogue are somewhat dated, it brings to life the written accounts of the physical and emotional hardships of the Island of Malta in the wartime seige of 1940 - 1943, based on real historical events. It is a perfect complement to the book "Fortess Malta - An Island Under Seige" written by James Holland in 2003, from which the events and stories can be recognised. Location filming was in Malta in the early 1950s, when the wartime destruction was still in evidence. Many wartime planes were still flying at the time of filming and contribute authentic flying sequences. Anyone who has visited Malta will recognise the locations, and appreciate the story that the film tells.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wartime tale with a twist
This monochrome film has become a staple of daytime television in recent times. It is set in war-torn Malta at the height of the Axis bombing raids on the island. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. M. W. LLOYD
3.0 out of 5 stars
Seen better!
It was an interesting film, but having reecently visied Malta I was hoping to see more of the island in the film.
Published 1 month ago by hazel gruar
5.0 out of 5 stars
good British wartime film
having been to Malta recently and learn't of the struggles of the Maltese people and the Allied forces based there this film helps recreate the drama and emotion of the time. Read more
Published 1 month ago by John Mitchell
5.0 out of 5 stars
great buy
This is a very good purchase, and would recommend it to anyone. well worth the money, and a real bargain.
Published 2 months ago by Paul Weightman
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my relatives
One of my relatives lived in Malta at the time depicted in this film and gave me first hand accounts of how the islanders suffered during the Second World War, There is a romantic... Read more
Published 3 months ago by susan grech
5.0 out of 5 stars
great film
I really enjoyed this film and even got the wife to watch it (to which she said she enjoyed it) I then passed it to an old war hero who had served in Malta who said he enjoyed... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Beverley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
This was a gift for my husband which arrived very quickly. He was very happy as he had been looking for it in the highstreet shops but couldn't find it.
Published 4 months ago by Madgie
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Malta Story
An amazing DVD telling the true facts about the siege of Malta. My husband has read the book and loved getting this DVD for Christmas.
Published 4 months ago by Mrs Jacqueline Wright
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful script
Jack Hawkins and Alec Guinness... need one say more? A clever script and given great emotional depth by Jack Hawkins.
Published 6 months ago by Wilhelm Snyman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect service!
I can hardly believe that in these days of reducing service and profiteering you can still get what you want, when you want it at a price you're happy to pay. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Deltahero
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