Shortly after World War II, a new commanding officer (John Mills) comes to a Scottish Highlands post to replace the interim commander (Alec Guinness). Guinness commanded the men during the war and after, he oversees them as half-tyrant, half-doting parent (he calls them “my babies”), and his supervision is attuned solely to his whim and fancy. Mills is a patrician, no-nonsense by-the-book type, from a “better” school and family, who forswears whiskey, fighting and Guinness’ mercurial style. In turn, Guinness does everything in his power to undermine Mills, while the officers under their supervision take sides or negotiate the situation as best they can.
Ronald Neame’s picture feels more play than film (unsurprisingly, the movie was adapted for the stage in a production which toured Britain in 2006). Initially, it is a pedestrian story. The struggle for power and Guinness’ intrigues seem minor given the stakes. Mills is such a priggish martinet and Guinness such an imperious, blustering caricature, the effect is wearying, and the story just seems old-fashioned, even for its time. But then, the picture veers into psychological drama, and both actors reveal true vulnerability and insecurity borne of a palpable but unstated post-traumatic stress from their war experiences. The performances are gut-wrenching as both men struggle with their demons and express an internal torture. Mills combats it with rigid discipline and Guinness with roaring ferocity, and their fates take on much greater importance.
Very solid, if dated picture.
Note of caution – if you don’t like the bagpipes, avoid.
On Tubi.
