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.

---

Plot Keywords:

family relationships | injustice | false accusation | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

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

The play's London premiere in 1946 featured Emlyn Williams as Sir Robert, Mona Washbourne, Angela Baddeley, Kathleen Harrison, Frank Cellier, Jack Watling and Clive Morton. It was under the direction of Glen Byam Shaw.

The original Broadway production opened at the Empire Theater on October 29, 1947 and ran for 214 performances. It featured Frank Allenby as Sir Robert, Alan Webb as Arthur Winslow, and Valerie White as Catherine Winslow.

---

Goofs

Seen in mirror of room, where Arthur and Catherine, and Violet talked, Violet leaves through door, shadow of crew member seen after door closes.

---

Quotes

Arthur Winslow: Well, now, I understand that you wish to marry my daughter.
John Watherstone: Yes, sir. Of course, sir.
Arthur Winslow: Why of course? There are plenty of people about who don't want to marry her. Oh, we'll not quibble about that. I think we'll take the romantic role of the project for granted.

---

Connections

Version of The Winslow Boy (1999)

---

Soundtracks

Knocked 'Em in the Old Kent Road
(uncredited)
Written by Albert Chevalier and Charles Ingle

User Reviews

Best of British

Terence Rattigan, once the toast of London's West End, fell very much out of favor when a new generation of playwrights made his plays seem antiquated and irrelevant. It took David Mamet's excellent filming of the "Winslow Boy" to remind us, that at his best, Rattigan was an exceptionally fine dramatist. Having much enjoyed the movie, I was curious to see the 1948 version directed by Anthony Asquith, who worked on a number of occasions with Rattigan.

It's an exceptional film from all accounts. Asquith's adaptations of theater works for the screen are excellent. Without opening them out too extensively they manage to avoid being stage bound, (Pygmalion, Browning Version, Importance of Being Earnest).

Being already familiar with the storyline, I simply sat back and savored the wonderful performances, and what performances they are. Cedric Hardwicke as the father lacks the softness of Nigel Hawthorne's portrayal and yet that's what precisely makes it ultimately more moving. Robert Donat overflows with charisma and Margaret Leighton plays her very first screen appearance with much intelligence and total aplomb.

The best of British