Adapted for the screen by Terence Rattigan (The Prince and The Showgirl, The Sound Barrier) from his own play, The Winslow Boy is the story of a father's fight to clear his son's name. Cedric Hardwicke (The Ten Commandments, The Ghoul) gives a towering performance as Arthur Winslow, whose young son Ronnie, a cadet at the Royal Naval College, is accused of theft. Convinced of Ronnie's innocence, Arthur and his daughter Catherine (Margaret Leighton) investigate. The family employ the country's top barrister, Sir Robert Morton (played by the great Robert Donat of The 39 Steps and Goodbye Mr. Chips fame), and so begins their struggle against institutional opposition and the might of the British Establishment itself. Earning a BAFTA Nomination, at the heart of this moving drama is the refusal to back down in the face of injustice, despite the great sacrifices that entails.
This is the original 1948 film version of Rattigan's celebrated play, directed by Anthony Asquith (Fanny by Gaslight, The Importance of Being Earnest, Carrington V.C.), which is getting its UK DVD premiere. The play was subsequently remade in 1958 and 1990 for television, and for the cinema in 1999 by David Mamet.
The Winslow Boy will be released on UK DVD by Optimum Home Entertainment on 6th April 2009 at the RRP of £15.99. No extra features have been listed. |