Mrs. Miniver

Rating

Director

William Wyler

Screenplay

George Froeschel, James Hilton, Claudine West, Arthur Wimperis (Novel: by Jan Struther)

Length

134 min.

Starring

Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Teresa Wright, Dame May Whitty, Reginald Owen, Henry Travers, Richard Ney, Henry Wilcoxon, Christopher Severn, Brenda Forbes, Clare Sandars, Marie De Becker

MPAA Rating

Approved (Certificate #8034)

Review

As the United States entered World War II, Hollywood began an age of propaganda filmmaking. Mrs. Miniver does well to avoid feeling like part of the trend, even though it undeniably was.

Kay Miniver (Greer Garson) and her husband Clem (Walter Pidgeon)are your typical middle-class family. They live in a modest house and have modest children. In ways the family seems reminiscent of the precocious sitcoms of television’s early days. However, their tranquil lives are not to last for long as Britain prepares to enter the Second World War.

Kay’s son Vin, who has been away at college, returns to see his family. Though the Minivers are a respectable family, Vin’s progressive views of the wealthy create a bit of turmoil. While sharing his views of society at a dinner party, he meets the daughter of wealthy socialite Lady Beldon (Dame May Whitty). Carol (Teresa Wright) is beautiful and demure but is just as opinionated as he is in some respects.

Vin enrolls as a pilot in the military and is soon flying over his home giving his mother an audible signal from his plane that he is safe. Kay is a wreck of nerves with her son fighting in the war. Although she may lament her sons decision, she keeps her composure and refuses to let the fear of her sons death deter her from living life.

Director William Wyler has a penchant for strong female characters. While other directors often cast women solely for their looks and prefer the characters to remain dim or unworldly, Wyler gives them life and energy. Mrs. Miniver is certainly such a picture. Not only does he support strong roles for women, he also brings them to life through the talents of his stars.

Garson is simply outstanding as Kay Miniver. Though her mannerisms suggest an admirable inner resolve, her eyes tell a different story. Her eyes reflect the fears and doubts she has over the future. No matter her feelings, she won’t be daunted by anything. Two scenes in particular are prime examples of this power. When a German soldier invades her home, she doesn’t sit idly by waiting for death, she tries to comfort the man but ultimately pacifies him and turns him over to the police.

The other scene, the most memorable in the film, takes place long after the war has begun. Cramped inside of a bomb shelter on the grounds of their home, Kay and Clem guard their two children and discuss their life and memories. The tension remains high throughout the scene and we can’t help but sympathize with their plight.

Mrs. Miniver can’t be characterized as poorly acted. With few exceptions, the cast is terrific. Even though Garson is unquestionably the star of the film, Wright can also be singled out for praise. She creates Carol as a noble creature fed up with the labels of society. She attempts to be as resolute as Kay but her inexperience betrays her in the end and helps to diminish the capacity of her resolve.

Propaganda is rarely uncommon during times of war. Walt Disney was noted for producing pro-war animated short films featuring his famous characters. The studios made countless pictures filled with unnecessary fluff that could not only enliven the hearts of those in the United States but also those of the troops overseas. Mrs. Miniver is at once a part of that history and at once not.

While Mrs. Miniver certainly jumped on the patriotism bandwagon, Wyler refused to compromise. There are dark and painful scenes in the film but they are always looked upon with bravery by its players. But he never shied away from such disturbing images and depictions. The ultimate conclusion is overwhelmingly positive and though the characters bottle up their pain and torment, we understand fully the trials they have gone through.

Watching the film today, one might be misled by its generally positive tone; however, when looking at the movies made today, Mrs. Miniver is far more honest and capable than many of them. War isn’t pleasant and films like All Quiet on the Western Front and Full Metal Jacket do more to expose the harsh realities of such conflicts, it is impossible to deny that people in real life would have treated their situation with the same brand of outward strength that Kay, her family and the community did.

Review Written

October 17, 2006