Island Rescue

It's the Second World War, and the Germans have just occupied the Channel Islands. The High Command have ordered a rescue mission on the (fictional) island of Amorel. David Niven is to lead the mission. He needs a local guide, and that turns out to be Glynis Johns. The preparations are extensive and unique, because they're trying to bring out a prize purebred cow.

Before you scoff, please be aware that something similar was done in rescuing the Aldenay breed from the Channel Island of that name. It's still absurd in retrospect, but everyone in the movie takes it seriously, which helps some with a cast that includes George Coulouris (in his first of nine appearances in director Ralph Thomas' movies) as the cultured cattle-breeding officer in charge of the island, and Noel Purcell as the navigator who knows the local waters. There's a suitable amount of flag-waving, islanders loyal to His Majesty, a cute kid, and a nasty German sergeant.

In short, this is pretty much a bog-standard movie with a great cast that makes it highly watchable. For me, I was enchanted as soon as Miss Johns' name appeared in the credits. There's extensive location shooting, with Sark standing in for the fictitious island, and a final race between the British PT boat and a pursuing German craft. This movie was near the end of the period when a serious movie could be made about such a subject. Soon enough, it would be all war-is-hell dramas and service comedies.

The storyline involving one of the smaller the Channel Islands, whereby the British navy, with David Niven, as the army officer leading an operation to rescue a prize, pedigree cow (Venus) from a small island called Amorel, rather then let the Germans have the prize beast, seems to have great potential for humour and drama. However, sad to say, it doesn't really tick either box, suggesting that the director was caught in two minds. Bernard Lee as usual plays an army officer, but his role leaves him little to do. Glynis Johns is miscast as the local guide and Niven's romantic interest, since she shows no sparkle or energy but comes across as a mild mannered, one dimensional character, who speaks in the same 'butter wouldn't melt in my mouth' monotone voice throughout the film. Kenneth More, is also wasted, playing the island's pacifist artist, who wants nothing to do with the war, More never engages the audience's empathy, since he walks around most of the the time feeling hard done by and looking sorry for himself. Niven never breaks into a sweat, but plays the cheery, urbane, 'come on lads' type of military officer, who adopts a 'Boy Scout leader' approach to the bovine operation. Even the dramatic scenes between the plucky channel islanders and the German are underwhelming and unconvincing. The film meanders along and presents a happy outcome but essentially it misses the mark.

Who in their right minds would mount a commando raid to rescue a cow ?Only the Brits. Venus was in fact a Gurnsey Cow. A champion milk producer.And the envy of Hitler, who wanted to breed her capabilities into the Teutonic herds that he had proclaimed to be the world's best.Thus for reasons of morale the Brits mounted a commando operation to snatch Venus right from under the noses of the German occupiers of her island home. A wonderful movie Starring David Niven and Glynis Johns,recreated this exciting story of the successful operation. I was lucky enough to have seen the movie in a theatre when it first came out,at the tender age of ten .I loved it then and I loved it on late night TV 35 years later. I wish it would play again. I'd make a point of staying up to tape it. A splendid paean of praise for the indomitable Human Spirit. If it comes your way take time to enjoy.

This is a bit of a long shot seeing as the original review was posted back in 2002, but I am re-publishing the original book by Jerrard Tickell that this film is based on, and would love to know more about Colonel "Duke" Wright - as mentioned in Horn-5's original review here.

It would be fantastic to know where you found this information, and how I can find out more about the conversation the author had with the Colonel.

Horn-5 - if you're still out there, please feel free to contact me at info at manderleypress dot come if you can help! Thanks so much in advance.

This strange British Film-Makers production, has as its weird premise a story based almost unbelievably on fact. Writer Jerrard Tickell based his book on a story told to him by an officer involved in such an actual event. While the Island of this film is fictitious, it is thought the real events took place on the Isl of Sark (Channel Islands) during the German occupation of '40 - '45. Unfortunately for this film, the screen play by Nicholas Phipps (who also has a small acting part) tends to waver between comedy and propaganda. This is a pity, as there are many suspenseful moments throughout this terrific looking film. I suppose with a situation as crazy as this, it could be difficult to fully know just how to treat it, and do it full justice.

Both the Director: Ralph Thomas, (Conspiracy of Hearts '60 ~ Clouded Yellow '51 ~ Wild and the Willing '62) and his Director of Photography: Ernest Steward (The Assassin '52, aka: The Venetian Bird) were versatile artists indeed. Both were comfortable working with either solid drama or comedy. And while they are mostly remembered for their various British comedies, these men were certainly well capable of injecting a little more drama into this film, had it been a better script.

The cast is varied and interesting; the wonderful and very talented Glynis Johns gives a thoughtful performance, and with her big doe eyes and smooth husky voice, is fully believable as the Island girl being brought back to her homeland on a military mission. David Niven is warm (maybe a tad too warm) as the Major. Barry Jones is suitably serious as the Provost of the Isl. Kenneth More in a rare dramatic role (pity they didn't give him more) fully convinces as the pacifist artist who has turned his back on the war. It's his character that is let down badly by the screen treatment - maybe a slight spoiler here but vital info: In the film, More's character ends up joining the cause and flees to England, but in the book he remains to defend his Island colleagues from serious German retaliation --being a direct result of the part he played in the military operation-- If this film was made during the War years you would say it's home spun propaganda, but this is six years on, in 1951. What were they thinking...?

George Coulouris' German officer is treated rather humanely, given he disciplines his men for any mistreatment of the Island inhabitants. Some of the incidents portrayed too lightly, involve the 'cow' of the title, these tend to be given over to stretched situations. The end is simply tacked on as a British moral booster. Could have been very good, as is, it's good to look at, entertaining, and should please as a rainy day time passer that looks back at some resent history. The Masterpiece Collection DVD I looked at, is basic, but offers good quality image and sound for it's modest price.