The Winslow Boy

6/6/19501h 57m

Theatrical Release (US)

Overview:

In pre-WW1 England, a youngster is expelled from a naval academy over a petty theft, but his parents raise a political furor by demanding a trial.

Director:

Anthony Asquith

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$0.00

Revenue:

$0.00

Key words:

london, england
based on play or musical
lawyer
justice
military school
expelled from school
1910s

Cast

Robert Donat

~ as ~

Sir Robert Morton

Cedric Hardwicke

~ as ~

Arthur Winslow

Margaret Leighton

~ as ~

Catherine Winslow

Basil Radford

~ as ~

Desmond Curry

Kathleen Harrison

~ as ~

Violet

Francis L. Sullivan

~ as ~

Attorney General

Marie Lohr

~ as ~

Grace Winslow

Jack Watling

~ as ~

Dickie Winslow

Walter Fitzgerald

~ as ~

First Lord

Frank Lawton

~ as ~

John Watherstone

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

CinemaSerf
Written 2 year(s) ago
7
This is a super ensemble "David and Goliath" style story. When young "Ronnie" returns home having been expelled from the Naval Academy, accused of forgery, his father is quickly convinced of the young man's integrity and innocence. This is not just a proud father's belligerence, but a determination on behalf of this upstanding and principled man "Arthur" (Sir Cedric Hardwicke) to see his son gets justice. To that end, he alights on the renowned barrister and parliamentarian "Sir Robert Morton" (Robert Donat) to raise the issue in Parliament - it was not possible to seek ordinary legal redress for the lad as it would have meant effectively suing the King which was a big taboo! What now ensues is a well delivered story of right and wrong, of sacrifice and of love. Donat features sparingly really, but when he appears his delicate charm and subtle means of engaging with the camera speak volumes that, coupled with Rattigan's own adaptation of his play and with a solid cast including the always reliable Kathleen Harrison, Basil Bradford and Margaret Leighton create a potent look at just how effective the little man can be, when given the right impetus and a proper champion. It's not devoid of humour, either - usually at the hands of the gramophone-wielding, rather foppish "Dickie" (Jack Watling) who is happily wasting £200 a year at university with all the academic acumen of a toadstool. Just shy of two hours, it really does motor along well and though the ending is maybe a little bit rushed, it's provides an interesting character study of a family life that must adapt and even struggle to do what is right. Well worth a watch.