The Stars Look Down (1940)

Director:

Carol Reed

Writers:

A.J. Cronin (novel)
A. Coppel (scenario) ...

Release Date:

24 February 1940 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Davey Fenwick leaves his mining village on a university scholarship intent on returning to better support the miners against the owners...

Plot Keywords:

Miner | Teacher | Rescue Attempt | England | Coal Mine

Cast

Michael Redgrave	...	Davey Fenwick
Margaret Lockwood	...	Jenny Sunley
Emlyn Williams	...	Joe Gowlan
Nancy Price	...	Martha Fenwick
Allan Jeayes	...	Richard Barras
Edward Rigby	...	Robert Fenwick
Linden Travers	...	Mrs. Laura Millington
Cecil Parker	...	Stanley Millington
Milton Rosmer	...	Harry Nugent, MP
George Carney	...	Slogger Gowlan
Ivor Barnard	...	Wept
Olga Lindo	...	Mrs. Sunley
Desmond Tester	...	Hughie Fenwick
David Markham	...	Arthur Barras
Aubrey Mallalieu	...	Hudspeth

Runtime:

110 min | West Germany:90 min (TV)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Finland:K-12 | UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) (1997)

Filming Locations:

Cumbria, England, UK

Company:

Grafton Films

Trivia:

Carol Reed disowned the film, calling it "a gloomy little piece". He expected it to be a box office disaster and was highly surprised when wartime audiences warmed enthusiastically to it.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Richard Barras: Well, Fenwick, will the men work tomorrow?
Robert Fenwick: Not if its to be in Scupper Flats, Mr. Barras.
[indicating a well-dressed union official]
Richard Barras: Even against your union?
Robert Fenwick: The union isn't being asked to work in Scupper Flats. On the other side of that coal seam is a million tons of flood water ready to rush right down on top of us.
Richard Barras: You don't think I'd take a chance in floodin' me own mine, do you, Fenwick?
Robert Fenwick: Well, show us the plans of them old workings, then!

Movie Connections:

Version of "The Stars Look Down" (1974)

Thoughtful, Atmospheric, & Often Compelling Drama

The story in this feature is pretty interesting, but even a description of the story by itself would probably not communicate how thoughtful and atmospheric the movie is. It also has some particularly compelling stretches that are hard to forget afterward. Director Carol Reed shows good insight into the characters and the story, the cast make the characters believable and worth caring about, and the technical aspects help you to feel almost part of the action.

Michael Redgrave stars as a young idealist, determined to get an education so that he can improve conditions in the mining town where he lives. Redgrave's performance quietly brings out a lot about his character, as he learns about reality while fighting for the truth. Emlyn Williams is also effective as Redgrave's boyhood friend, who takes an entirely different, amoral approach to the same situation. Margaret Lockwood, well-cast as the rather vain young woman who captivates both of them, adds an important dimension. Several of the supporting cast members also do a good job in limited screen time.

The highlight is the extended rescue sequence in the second half, and it is very effectively done. But one of the reasons that it works so well is that it was prepared by such a solid foundation, establishing the characters and issues carefully so that, when the crisis hits, everything takes on more meaning.

Many of the topics touched upon by the movie are still of significance in themselves, but even beyond that, it creates a good deal of worthwhile drama about society and human nature in general.