The Winslow Boy (1948)

In pre-WWI England, a youngster is expelled from a naval academy over a petty theft, and his parents raise a political furor by demanding a trial.

Director:

Anthony Asquith

Writers:

Terence Rattigan (adapted from the play by), Terence Rattigan (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert Donat, Cedric Hardwicke, Basil Radford

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Donat	...	Sir Robert Morton
Cedric Hardwicke	...	Arthur Winslow (as Sir Cedric Hardwicke)
Basil Radford	...	Desmond Curry
Margaret Leighton	...	Catherine Winslow
Kathleen Harrison	...	Violet - the maid
Francis L. Sullivan	...	Attorney General
Marie Lohr	...	Grace Winslow
Jack Watling	...	Dickie Winslow
Walter Fitzgerald	...	First Lord
Frank Lawton	...	John Watherstone
Neil North	...	Ronnie Winslow
Nicholas Hannen	...	Colonel Watherstone
Hugh Dempster	...	Agricultural Member
Evelyn Roberts	...	Hamilton M.P.
W.A. Kelley	...	Brian O'Rourke

Storyline

In Edwardian England, a thirteen year-old cadet, Ronnie Winslow, is expelled from the naval academy at Osborne for stealing a seven shilling postal order. His father and sister become obsessed with proving his innocence at any cost to themselves, and turn the case into a national cause celebre.

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Plot Keywords:

family relationships | injustice | false accusation | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 June 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

Der Fall Winslow

Filming Locations:

London Film Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

London Film Productions,De Grunwald Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

H.H. Asquith, the Prime Minister whose name occurs (as Herbert Asquith) at various points throughout "The Winslow Boy", was in fact the father of that same Anthony Asquith who directed this film.

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Goofs

When they visit the House of Commons for the first time, the newspaper boy carries a poster "London motorist killed", and on the first day of the trial the poster has not changed - or else a second motorist has been killed.

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Quotes

Arthur Winslow: Sir Robert, whatever the result of the debate may be, I must ask you to drop the case.
Sir Robert Morton: What has happened?
Arthur Winslow: I made many sacrifices for it. Some of them I had no right to make, but nevertheless, I made them. There's a limit, and I've reached it.
Sir Robert Morton: What has happened?
Arthur Winslow: I'm sorry, Sir Robert. More sorry than you, perhaps, but the Winslow case is closed.
Sir Robert Morton: Balderdash!
Catherine Winslow: My father doesn't mean what he's been saying, Sir Robert. I think I should tell you that he had a letter...
Arthur Winslow: No, Catherine.
Catherine Winslow: ...from the ...
[...]

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Connections

Version of BBC Play of the Month: The Winslow Boy (1977)

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Soundtracks

Who Were You With Last Night?
(uncredited)
Written by Fred Godfrey and Mark Sheridan
Performed by Cyril Ritchard and female chorus

User Reviews

total class

I hadn't seen this but was aware of its starry remake some fifty years on; having now seen both, this is the better movie for several reasons. Firstly, three brilliant actors in the cast: Cedric Hardwicke, who still fools me every time and it is a surprise and joy to discover it was him after all when the credits roll; Robert Donat, who had another definitive role in this to add to Mr Chips; and the lovely Margaret Leighton, as the suffragette Winslow daughter who isn't at all militant. Secondly, the plot, which manages to weave quite a few threads along with the central story of little Ronnie Winslow and the stolen postal order. And lastly, because of the sparkle and energy of the script and the detail put into every frame. It's a wonderful film which keeps the attention from wandering, and I highly recommend it.