The Captive Heart

This is a surprisingly gentle, moving film, naturally acted with an utterly beautiful, captivating script. Why it hasn't become widely known before must be due to the content having been a bit sensitive to reveal for some reason; I suspect part of the plot came from true facts which might have landed someone in trouble. Otherwise it would have been rich material for many awards. The cinematography is atmospheric, crisp and articulate, somewhat similar to John Huston's. The direction under Basil Deardon is exceptionally fine and brings out the best and the fun in all the actors. Michael Redgrave gives what is for me his finest, most romantic, performance ever.

Concentrating upon the captured soldiers after the defeat at Dunkirk, it shows the quiet moral heroics of ordinary men in captivity and their methods of survival. Who is the strange German translator? Will their women wait for them? What do they do about a thief amongst them? What of those who are blinded? It provides a powerful insight into the ways and minds of British people of that time.

Unlike other war camp films, eg. The Great Escape, Colditz, Stalag 7, this is not a wildly fictional action-packed piece of crude flag-waving or boasting. It is a warm, moving tribute to those who could only live through the fear and horrors of war by waiting and caring for one another.

Actually, quite good, especially in view of its age. A fairly typical POW saga with a cast of familiar British actors, it tells the stories of the central characters, from pre-capture to release, in a polite, genteel style.

Where it seemed weak is that none of the wives/friends/families at home seemed much affected by the war and why, after just one unsuccessful tunnel, were no further escape attempts apparently made in the remaining four years of captivity?

Why has this film never been on telly? Very well acted film. Well known cast - all good acters.

A real undiscovered gem, in the same vein as many other classic British war time films. Great story well acted and directed, but like much that is great about British cineme 'understated'. Unlike American war films 'gung ho super hero and how we one the war, this film deals with characters we all recognise, and situations and emotions we can all appreciate. In the same mould as Went The Day Well. Watch and enjoy, and as always mourn the passing of our great British film industry.