Review of The Singer Not the Song

I must say I was agreeably surprised to come across this offbeat film as part of a collection of John Mills rarities (can't recall the other two,I threw them away). Prior to viewing the full screen DVD,I was able to recall the film's poor following in N.Z. At the Auckland premiere in the early 1960's, the cinema manager came on stage and announced that "The Singer Not The Song" was unsuitable viewing and would be replaced with "Tunes Of Glory".I'm unable to recall if the film was released at all after that.I certainly don't recall anyone discussing the film in question but given it's suggestion of homosexuality,I'm now not at all surprised.Such topics were never even hinted at in those days down in innocent little New Zealand.Thank God we now live in a more informed world.Therefore,this film was years ahead of it's time and as such,I find it compelling. I rate it eight,only because it was impossible to get it all right,given the subject matter. Dirk Bogarde and John Mills both give thoughtful,intelligent performances and I am so grateful that keen film buffs like myself can now fully appreciate this worthwhile contribution to British Cinema.