The Way Ahead (1944)
10/10
Really, rather marvellous
26 December 2013
I have a big soft spot for movies like this, they have an authenticity that modern films about this era don't have. As someone who is from several generations who served in the Military it's nice to see something that is contemporary of WW2 that is not gritty, just realistic. Yes, it may have been made at the time as propaganda, but,it doesn't glamourise or glorify, it attempts to tell you as it is. It even hints at the barrack room language without being able to include it (it is the 1940's after all)

David Niven is marvellous in the lead role, he was a serving officer at the time and it shows as you never feel he is acting, the same with the supporting cast of solid British character actors, Stanley Holloway, James Donald, John Laurie (how lovely to see him not playing the dour Scotsman for once) and Leslie Dwyer stand out in particular. And isn't Peter Ustinov terrific in his small role, a taste of things to come with him.

Highly recommended.
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