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Anna Neagle stars as aviator Amy Johnson in this British wartime film that served as a call to arms. Alex Davidson admires the way Neagle captures Johnson’s indomitable spirit.

In They Flew Alone, Anna Neagle - Britain’s most popular actress of the period - seizes on one of her best roles as Amy Johnson, the legendary pilot who flew solo over 10,000 miles to Australia, entered a turbulent marriage with Jim Mollison, another renowned pilot, and went missing on an Air Transport Auxiliary mission. Neagle, who could be a mannered performer on screen, is fresh and likable as Amy, and sports a surprisingly convincing Hull accent. She captures Johnson’s indomitable spirit and refusal to conform to social boundaries. Robert Newton is also excellent as Johnson’s flawed, jealous husband, whose impressive career was overshadowed by his wife’s achievements.

They Flew Alone was made the year after Johnson’s death - it is difficult to imagine a film being produced so quickly after its subject’s demise today. The film both honours the aviator and acted as valuable propaganda during the height of the war years, celebrating the British spirit and emphasising the need for war effort contributions. Like many Neagle films, They Flew Alone is very much of its time, yet this adds greatly to the film’s enjoyment, when yesterday’s Britain truly was another country.

 

Alex Davidson on 29th July 2010
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