- Actors: Alec Guiness, Jack Hawkins, Anthony Steel, Muriel Pavlow, Flora Robson
- Directors: Brian Desmond Hurst
- Format: PAL, Black & White
- Language English
- Classification: U
- Studio: VCI
- Run Time: 103 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00066879O
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 13,625 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
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.
64 of 68 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A lesser-known British war film
I first owned this either on Betamax or VHS and it is one that is only rarely shown on TV. Its major star is David Niven, who actually served in the war. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Claptonian
been there
We have recently visited Malta and had a fabulous time, the history is amazing so this film seemed the perfect follow on. Read more
Published 7 months ago by N. P. Evetts
"The Malta Story (1953) ... Alec Guinness ... Brian Desmond Hurst...
VCI Entertainment and A Theta Film Production presents "THE MALTA STORY" (1953) (103 min/B&W) -- Starring Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins, Anthony Steel, Muriel Pavlow, Renée... Read more
Published 12 months ago by J. Lovins
Malta Story - if only it was colour!
The Malta Story is a great war time drama and the fantastic story of how Malta helped win the war is amazing. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Welshandrew
malta story
Bought this dvd for my wife as she had just returned from Malta.Very pleased as this film highlighted the wartime experiences of the Maltese.
Published 18 months ago by cliff
A dated Film
This DVD of the 19540/50 film represents an interesting benchmark of acting and production skill. The story is a single line story and quite simplistic.
Aldous
Aldous
Published 18 months ago by Aldous
I expected thid film to be like that
It's one of the many films about lonely England fighting against a nazi-conquered Europe. There is some foreseeable propaganda, but the touch is light enough and I enjoyed the... Read more
Published on 24 May 2010 by Carlo Scarafiotti
Malta VC
Digitally remastered gives an outstanding clarity. The historical significance of the suffering and fortitude of the population and the combined services is shown with little... Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2010 by Peter N
An interesting "documentary" on the life in Malta durin the last war
The British attempt to defend Malta from the invasion of Italy and Germany. Beautiful scenes of formation flights, and good photography of the places in black and white. Read more
Published on 18 Feb 2010 by Massimo Santilli
Malta GC
I found this to be a pleasant love story, set at a period of courage by the Maltese people and Alied forces on Malta in the early years of World War II.
Published on 16 Nov 2009 by Colin Williamson
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