Change Your Image
lyganywern
Reviews
The High Bright Sun (1965)
Rare excursion into the end of Empire
Possibly the only film set during the Cyprus troubles of the 1950s. Despite the wooden acting of the female star I found this an interesting exploration of the subject. Unfortunately, the political side is not clarified. This was not a simple struggle by "restistance" against "military rule". The main protagonist was the EOKA organisation which, plainly put, wanted "Enosis" or union with Greece. Needless to say the Turkish Cypriots were none too keen on this and seemed more pro the British Administration. EOKA's military leader was a Greek army officer, General Grivas - to whom the guerrilla chief in the film bears a striking resemblance. Echoes of this era linger today with the division of the island between Greek and Turk Cypriot inhabitants.
Breakout (1959)
Suspenseful second feature
This little gem appears as an "extra" on Volume 3 of the Edgar Wallace DVD series. Holds the attention and very well produced for a low-budget second feature. Really good supports from a variety of British character actors of the period - many for some reason not credited. George Woodbridge turns up as the inevitable landlord and Lloyd Lamble reprises his excellent study of a Detective Inspector. Watch out for Glyn Houston in the bar scene.
The 7th Dawn (1964)
Highly watchable
Enjoyable and welcome - just shows how few films were made about the end of the British Empire (India being an exception). Well cast and the excellent supports - Sydney Tafler, Michael Goodliffe and Maurice Denham bring added credibility. Nice to see Tafler in a role other than his usual line in club managers and assorted crooks. Likewise, Goodliffe shows a gravitas contrasting from his normal parts - the seedy (Jigsaw 1962) through to various officer types and police inspectors.
Endeavour (2012)
Interesting aside
For those who look at these things, it is refreshing to see C/Supt Bright's medal ribbons both credible and in the correct order. One thing does spring to mind, he has a mentioned in dispatches "oak leaf" on his War medal ribbon. Not often this is seen in films and on TV so I wonder if there is a story behind this which may be brought out in a later episode.