The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943)

a film by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger

I looked for this movie right after the reading the review written by the Spanish writer and columnist Javier Marias. He included it in his Top 10 review this epic story with so much enthusiasm that I was driven directly to it. The search was not in vain. I really enjoyed the story of this warm-hearted character and his adventures which are a brave summary of the history of the first half of the XXth century with refinement, freshness and English humor.

The first thing that impressed me about this movie was the long view on history that it takes and this is remarkable given the date in which it was made. In the darkest times this movie is full of braveness, courage and humor in the times of the Blitzkrieg. Although this film is evidently pro-British, the sympathy that it shows for the character of the German officer and the satiric and cartoonish view of the British army are visionary and refreshing. The topic is this movie is dead-serious and the fact that it doesn't take itself so seriously is brilliant.

The acting in this movie is superb. Roger Livesey and Anton Walbrook are really entertaining on the screen as Candy and Kretschmar-Schuldorff. Livesey really sets the rhythm of the story with his great performance and Deborah Kerr in her triple role brings the lights to the screen. This movie is successful at aging its characters and settings with great care for detail while keeping the story interesting and fluent.

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp works as a historical document and an entertaining story. This movie delivers an original vision that is remarkable in its historical context but that also transcends time and feels fresh and punching. Be brave and go for the 163 minutes version!