One of Powell and Pressburger's greatest achievements, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
portrays the life of Clive Candy (Roger Livesey), a stuffy British soldier whose life is shown in episodes from the Boer War through to the London Blitz of 1940.
As a young man, Candy lost the woman he loved (Deborah Kerr, who plays three roles) to a Prussian officer (Anton Walbrook), whom he fought in a duel which led to their lifelong friendship. Candy cannot help but feel that his notions of honour and chivalry are out of place in modern warfare. The film's title comes from 'Evening Standard' cartoonist David Low's satirical comic creation, Colonel Blimp.
I first saw this movie when i was a twelve year-old boy and again went i did some Military Service in my twenties and thirties. Now at 43 and watching this movie again... more >
I first saw this movie when i was a twelve year-old boy and again went i did some Military Service in my twenties and thirties. Now at 43 and watching this movie again on Rememberance Day eve, only reiterates what I have always thought - it is arguably one of the top three British movies EVER made - in any genre'.
It encapsulates all the emotions of the time and captures maginificently the acting capability of a great cast and the ability of the two Directors.
It is beautifully made and maintains a good 'pace' all the way through. I love how the relationship between an Englishmen and a German carries through so many years in the atmosphere of the wars and inter-war period/s.
I once heard that Winston Churchill wanted this movie banned, which would have been a very great shame.
Anyway a first-rate movie, beautifully filmed; fantastic cast well led, and; directed. An absolute gem. < less
David Oram on 24th May 2002
Considered by one American reviewer as "the English Citizen Kane". I prefer to think of Citizen Kane as the American Life and Death of Colonel Blimp.
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Considered by one American reviewer as "the English Citizen Kane". I prefer to think of Citizen Kane as the American Life and Death of Colonel Blimp.
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Clinton Morgan on 13th March 2000
It is fascinating, that despite our long literary tradition from Edmund Spencer to William Shakespeare and Geoffrey Chaucer to Charles Dickens, that our best screenwr... more >
It is fascinating, that despite our long literary tradition from Edmund Spencer to William Shakespeare and Geoffrey Chaucer to Charles Dickens, that our best screenwriter was not from this sceptred isle. No matter, everything fits in this film from the screenplay, to the performances, to the photography which looks more like a tapestry. < less
"In the history of British Cinema there is nothing to touch it" Time Out. Acclaimed as one of Powell and Pressburgers greatest achievements, this delightful film, with... more >
"In the history of British Cinema there is nothing to touch it" Time Out. Acclaimed as one of Powell and Pressburgers greatest achievements, this delightful film, with much generosity of spirit, portrays the life of Clive Candy (Roger Livesey), a stuffy British soldier whose life is shown in episodes from the Boer War through to the London Blitz of 1943. He is the Colonel Blimp of the title (a cartoon character created by David Low in the Evening Standard) epitomising the upper crust pompous military of the time. We are guided sympathetically through his honourable and chivalrous career from dashing young officer in the Boer War, losing the only woman he ever loved to a Prussian officer he duels with in pre World War 1 Berlin who subsequently becomes his life long friend. The adventure ends in Second Work War London, by which time the fascinating and touching story is complete and the viewer has been given a brilliant insight into the paradoxical nature of the English. < less
