The Bofors Gun ** (1968, Nicol Williamson, Ian Holm, David Warner, John Thaw, Peter Vaughan, Barry Jackson) – Classic Movie Review 9728

Director Jack Gold’s 1968 British drama The Bofors Gun stars Nicol Williamson, Ian Holm, David Warner, John Thaw, Peter Vaughan, Barry Jackson, Richard O’Callaghan and Donald Gee.

Fine acting saves the day for this glum adaptation by John McGrath of his TV play (Events While Guarding the Bofors Gun) about 1950s British soldiers in post-war Germany picking on each other.

Particularly good are Warner as the National Service non-commissioned officer Lance Bombardier Terry Evans and Williamson as the embittered Irish gunner O’Rourke, who tragically bullies and humiliates him. Barbara Jefford is the token woman in the NAAFI.

British distributors Rank saw how uncommercial it was and gave it a very tiny release, though they said they had issues with slang.

Also in the cast are Gareth Forwood, Geoffrey Hughes, John Herrington, Lindsay Campbell and Glynn Edwards.

The Bofors Gun is directed by Jack Gold, runs 106 minutes, is made by Copelfilms, Everglades Productions and Universal Pictures, is released by Rank and Universal, is written by John McGrath, is shot by Alan Hume, is produced by Robert A Goldston and Otto Plaschkes, and is scored by Carl Davis.

The Bofors anti-aircraft gun is a Swedish-made weapon designed in the 1920s and used by the Allies in World War Two, mostly obsolete by the time of the film.

Donald Gee and Barry Jackson were survivors of the original play cast.

It is Carl Davis’s first cinema score and Ian Holm’s credited theatrical movie debut.

It was shot in 30 days, with the cast drilled by Regimental Sergeant Major Brittain.

Sheila Hancock on Jack Gold: ‘He was the director my husband John Thaw loved and respected above all others.’

Nicol Williamson reunited with Jack Gold for The Reckoning (1970).

 © Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9728

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