Carve Her Name with Pride (1958)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Lewis Gilbert

Writers:

R.J. Minney (book)
Vernon Harris (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

8 September 1958 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot:

Violette Bushell is the daughter of an English father and a French mother, living in London in the early years of World War 2...

Plot Keywords:

Special Operations Executive | First Aid Nursing Yeomanry | WWII | Spy | Based On Book

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award.

Cast

Virginia McKenna	...	Violette Szabo
Paul Scofield	...	Tony Fraser
Jack Warner	...	Mr. Bushell
Denise Grey	...	Mrs. Bushell
Alain Saury	...	Etienne Szabo
Maurice Ronet	...	Jacques
Anne Leon	...	Lillian Rolfe
Sydney Tafler	...	Potter
Avice Landone	...	Vera Atkins
Nicole Stéphane	...	Denise Bloch (as Nicole Stephane)
Noel Willman	...	Interrogator
Bill Owen	...	N.C.O. Instructor
Billie Whitelaw	...	Winnie
William Mervyn	...	Colonel Buckmaster
Michael Goodliffe	...	Coding Expert

Runtime:

119 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | French

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

UK:PG | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Black Park Country Park, Wexham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Angel Productions

Trivia:

The director and producer both wanted a double to be used for the jump from the parachute training tower, but Virginia insisted on doing it herself. Slowed slightly by a wire (as are all trainee parachutists) she landed with a professional-looking roll on the mat below. Picking herself up she smiled and said "That was fun; I'd like to do it again."

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 100 Greatest War Films (2005) (TV)

A solid inspiring story of wartime bravery in World War II

It must be a sign of getting older but I find myself watching old films more and more now. Sky showed this film recently, and I much preferred it to some of the modern blockbusters they show. Virgina McKenna does an excellent job of portraying Violetta Szabo. Good old Jack Warner (Sergeant Dixon!) is excellent as the long suffering father. Paul Scofield is brilliant playing the part of Tony. It was directed by Lewis Gilbert, who also directed "Alfie" and "Educating Rita". It brings home the suffering normal people went through, as well as heroines like Violetta. I defy anyone not to be moved by the ending. Hopefully it is available on DVD now as it belongs in anyone`s collection.