Review by Nick Wheatley
Stars Leslie Banks, CV France, Valerie Taylor, Marie Lohr, Basil Sydney, Mervyn Johns,
Thora Hird, David Farrar | Written by John Dighton, Angus MacPhail & Diana Morgan
UK certification PG | UK RRP £19.99 | BD Region B | Runtime 89 minutes | Directed by Alberto Cavalcanti
World War Two caused a shift in the British film industry towards propaganda films, promoting the cause of the war to boost morale throughout the country. The government recognised the power the media wielded and encouraged the production of the genre. Never before have I seen a propoganda film such as this one. Made in 1942, it left me absolutely speechless and was a real surprise.
The story is set around a small village in England called Bramley End, which is forced to host a seemingly normal group of British soldiers. Soon it is revealed that not all is what it seems as the veil is pulled back and we learn that this is in fact the first wave of a German fleet preparing for a full invasion. The civilians are cut off from all contact with the rest of the country and have to fend for themselves against the brutal Nazis. It’s Dad’s Army meets The Great Escape as all manner of locals must put their lives on the line to defend their hamlet, with few of the villagers surviving the attack.
One of the biggest surprises of this film was the change in tone between the first 15 minutes of serenity and tranquility compared with the action-packed bloodbath that follows right through to the end. It felt similar to the style of Inglourious Basterds, with these villagers just as vicious as the Nazis and willing to kill at any given opportunity. It was an unexpected turn and one that played to the films advantage. Yes, there were a few outrageous moments – such as the children’s nanny diving onto a grenade or the local shopkeeper swiftly despatching a soldier with a hatchet – but it all added to the enjoyment of the film. Clearly, the director tried to capture the greatest nightmare the British public were imagining at the time and exaggerated it tenfold.
The film did have it’s faults, but I am beginning to find these common with films of this period. The film was visually tough to follow at times, with inappropriate cuts and transitions that didn’t best serve the story, challenging the audience to keep up. On top of that there were far too many characters and excessively speedy dialogue making it harder still to comprehend at times the narrative. But when the focus of the film was directed at the engaging story lines and the strong actors such as the possible inside man working in the village or the noble battle of the residents or even the chilling Nazi officers, it worked together to make a strong combination.
Went The Day Well? was not what I expected, but became gripping and enthralling. Whether it’s just for the outrageously amusing action or the strong tension, the film has something to offer. A really entertaining propoganda tale that brings hardcore guerilla warfare to the English countryside.
EXTRAS ★★★ BBC Radio 3 The Essay; British Cinema of the 1940’s featurette; Cavalcanti short film - Yellow Caeser.