This Happy Breed [1944]: Amazon.co.uk: Celia Johnson, David Lean, Noel Coward: Film & TV

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Product details

Actors: Celia Johnson
Directors: David Lean
Producers: Noel Coward
Format: Black & White
Language English
Subtitles: English
Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
Number of discs: 1
Classification: U
Studio: Carlton Visual Entertainment
Run Time: 105 minutes

Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)

ASIN: B000UEFJGQ
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 89,277 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)

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Reviews

The back reads: "After four years in the Great War (WW1), Frank Gibbons (Robert Newton) is demobbed and returns home to his wife (Celia Johnson) and their children. They move into a small house which , although homely, becomes the setting for much high drama. A unique portrait of a family living between two World Wars is beautifully captured with Frank and his wife battling through triumphs and tragedies with patient British resolve. "

23 Reviews

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

Average Customer Review

3.8 out of 5 stars (23 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Speckled, muted transfer of a fine film, 29 Oct 2007

Miss "chappers" (LONDON, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: This Happy Breed [1944] (DVD)

A wonderful, warm, witty, observant movie made during World War II, which follows the everyday lives of an ordinary family between the two World Wars. Somehow the simple plot manages to encapsulate the British character, particularly their fortitude during lean times and their quiet pleasure in small joys. It was directed by David Lean and produced by Noel Coward, with top-notch acting by the strong cast including Celia Johnson, John Mills and Kay Walsh.

Being raised on 1960's television, I'd previously only known Robert Newton as the bawdy Long John Silver (!) but here he delivers a blinder of a performance as the hardworking, upright and loyal head of the family.

This film is definitely in my Top 10, so it's a great pity that this dvd release by Carlton International is ruined by dreadful speckling and muted colour. I compared it last week to Film Four's current screened version, with its beautiful lush colours and pure picture, and I realised how badly this dvd version rates in the comparison. In my view, save your money and trust that a newer dvd release by another company will do this fine film justice.

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Comment Comments (3)

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Warning- Sound & Vision not in sinc, 28 Oct 2009

B. W. Richardson (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: This Happy Breed [1944] [DVD] (DVD)

Fully agree with Brenda Watkins & John Collier. To restore a film & not get the picture & sound in sinc with each other is unforgivable.Wish I had seen their reviews before I purchased this item.I will certainly check the reviews before I make my next purchase!

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing edition, 15 Feb 2010

Hair Bear (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: This Happy Breed [1944] [DVD] (DVD)

This is the first time I have been disappointed with a Network DVD. The promise of a restored print lured me into buying this. I have to say the print qaulity wasn't that great to me - some of the skin tones looked very flat particulary Sylvia and Ethel.
The big problem of course is the soundtrack. Not only is it out of sync with the picture in some places, it was quite loud. Almost as if it had been removed, polished up and put back with no relation to the picture at all. I will be going back to the Carlton Visual Entertainment edition.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic
Delighted to have this classic film in my collection - a truly English story brilliantly directed, and performed by a galaxy of stars.

Published 3 months ago by D. Harrison

5.0 out of 5 stars This Happy Breed.
What a fantastic dvd. Clear bright colours and great sound. Great story too.
I am really getting into watching these kind of films, and the fact that John Mills stars, is a... Read more

Published 7 months ago by Mrs. Gillian E. Marriott

1.0 out of 5 stars DON'T BUY THIS!
As everyone else has said- THE SOUND IS NOT IN SYNC WITH THE PICTURE!.What a mistake someone has made. Read more