A lavish period drama produced in 1942 by Lord Rank's G.H.W. Productions Ltd.A lavish period drama produced in 1942 by Lord Rank's G.H.W. Productions Ltd.A lavish period drama produced in 1942 by Lord Rank's G.H.W. Productions Ltd.
Michael Hunt
- The Kytch Boys
- (as Master Michael Hunt)
Alan Wren
- The Kytch Boys
- (as Master Alan Wren)
Storyline
Did you know
- GoofsAt c.52 minutes: the two boy musicians who are playing the violin and the cello are clearly miming.
- SoundtracksMessiah
(excerpts) (uncredited)
Music by George Frideric Handel
Libretto by Charles Jennens
Sung by Gladys Ripley dubbing Elizabeth Allan, with chorus
Orchestra conducted by Ernest Irving
Featured review
George Fridrich Handel 1685-1759
One thing Winston Churchill and Adolph Hitler had in common was their belief in the power of film as a medium. Hitler had Joe Goebbels cranking out propaganda films for the morale and Churchill gave generously to the British film industry for certain films he deemed important. One of them was Laurence Olivier's Henry V and another was J. Arthur Rank's production of The Great Mr. Handel.
For those who don't remember their history the United Kingdom at the point our story begins was ruled by George I of Hanover who spoke no English, but was the closest unquestioning Protestant heir. George was Duke of Hanover and held a nice chunk of German real estate in the middle of that then geographical expression called Germany. A lot of Germans were able to emigrate to Great Britain to seek their fortune and composer George Fridrich Handel was one of them.
George I dies and George II whose native tongue was still German was now king. But his lack of English and boorish conduct in general like his father didn't near and endear him to many. His son however Frederick the Prince Of Wales had his own following.
Most of this film is taken up with a rather stupid quarrel that Handel has with the prince and Frederick's attempts to ruin him artistically. Back then artists of all kinds depended on the patrimony of the wealthy and getting out of favor with royalty was not something the wealthy wanted. And Handel was an irascible stubborn guy who was not about to kowtow to anyone even for his art.
Wilfrid Lawson plays Handel and Max Kirby the Prince of Wales. Elizabeth Allan is the actress/singer Mrs. Cibber who sang much of Handel's work. It's interesting to compare Lawson's Handel with another film about Handel where Trevor Howard plays the German expatriate composer from his deathbed as he reminisces about some focal points of his life. I think Howard caught the man a lot better, his raspy voices was made to play curmudgeons.
Still classical music fans will like this film.
For those who don't remember their history the United Kingdom at the point our story begins was ruled by George I of Hanover who spoke no English, but was the closest unquestioning Protestant heir. George was Duke of Hanover and held a nice chunk of German real estate in the middle of that then geographical expression called Germany. A lot of Germans were able to emigrate to Great Britain to seek their fortune and composer George Fridrich Handel was one of them.
George I dies and George II whose native tongue was still German was now king. But his lack of English and boorish conduct in general like his father didn't near and endear him to many. His son however Frederick the Prince Of Wales had his own following.
Most of this film is taken up with a rather stupid quarrel that Handel has with the prince and Frederick's attempts to ruin him artistically. Back then artists of all kinds depended on the patrimony of the wealthy and getting out of favor with royalty was not something the wealthy wanted. And Handel was an irascible stubborn guy who was not about to kowtow to anyone even for his art.
Wilfrid Lawson plays Handel and Max Kirby the Prince of Wales. Elizabeth Allan is the actress/singer Mrs. Cibber who sang much of Handel's work. It's interesting to compare Lawson's Handel with another film about Handel where Trevor Howard plays the German expatriate composer from his deathbed as he reminisces about some focal points of his life. I think Howard caught the man a lot better, his raspy voices was made to play curmudgeons.
Still classical music fans will like this film.
helpful•31
- bkoganbing
- Dec 19, 2013
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- I musikens rike
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 29 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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