This Above All *** (1942, Tyrone Power, Joan Fontaine, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Stephenson, Nigel Bruce, Gladys Cooper) – Classic Movie Review 12,835

The poignant 1942 Oscar-winning wartime romantic drama film This Above All stars Tyrone Power and Joan Fontaine in their prime, and is based on a novel by Eric Knight.

Director Anatole Litvak’s poignant 1942 Oscar-winning wartime romantic drama film This Above All is based on the 1941 novel by Eric Knight, and stars Tyrone Power, Joan Fontaine, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Stephenson, Nigel Bruce, and Gladys Cooper.

This Above All is a sentimental, touching, American-made World War Two wartime flag-waver about British army deserter  Clive Briggs (Tyrone Power), disillusioned because he thinks that it is a war for the upper crust and not for working people like him, finding the strength to fight again through the love of upper class surgeon’s daughter Pru Cathaway (Joan Fontaine), who is working for the Royal Air Force in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF).

Despite its lack of subtlety and freshness – and admittedly its charms may have faded – it is still a poignant story, fashioned into a well-crafted script by R C Sherriff, author of Journey’s End. It is obviously very much a film of its time, an extremely well-meaning one, and it wears its heart on its sleeve.

The decent acting from the romantic stars, fine contingent of British character players in America, rock-solid studio-based production, Arthur Miller’s Oscar-nominated black and white cinematography, and capable work from director Litvak all combine to ensure an entertaining, moving, well-made little picture.

There were four Oscar nominations, all in technical categories. This Above All won the 1943 Oscar for Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration, Black-and-White for Richard Day, Joseph C. Wright, and Thomas Little. Also Arthur Miller was nominated for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White, Walter A Thompson for Best Editing, Edmund H Hansen for Best Sound Recording.

Release date: May 12, 1942.

The cast are Tyrone Power as Clive Briggs, Joan Fontaine as Pru Cathaway, Thomas Mitchell as Monty, Henry Stephenson as General Cathaway, Nigel Bruce as Ramsbottom, Gladys Cooper as Iris Cathaway, Philip Merivale as Dr Roger Cathaway, Sara Allgood as Waitress, Alexander Knox as Rector, Queenie Leonard as Violet Worthing, Melville Cooper as Wilbur, Jill Esmond as Nurse Emily, Holmes Herbert as Dr Mathias, Denis Green as Dr Ferris, Arthur Shields as Chaplain, Dennis Hoey as Parsons, Thomas Louden as Vicar, Miles Mander as Major, Rhys Williams, John Abbott, Carol Curtis-Brown, Denis Green, Thomas Louden, Mary Forbes, Forrester Harvey, Harold de Becker, Jessica Newcombe, Billy Bevan, Aubrey Mather, Lumsden Hare, Heather Thatcher, Jean Prescott, Brenda Forbes, Doris Lloyd, Rita Page, Clare Verdera, Joyce Wynn, Valerie Cole, Stephanie Insall, Dorothy Daniels de Becker, Alan Edmiston, Virginia McDowall, Olaf Hytten, Morton Lowry, Wyndham Standing, Alec Craig, Anita Bolster, May Beatty, Mary Field, Cyril Thornton, Leonard Carey, Val Stanton, Colin Campbell, Will Stanton, Herbert Clifton, and Andy Clyde.

This Above All is directed by Anatole Litvak, runs 110 minutes, is made and released by 20th Century Fox, is written by R C Sherriff, based on Eric Knight’s novel, is shot by Arthur Miller, is produced by Darryl F Zanuck, is scored by Alfred Newman, and designed by Richard Day.

© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 12,835

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