Review of The Winslow Boy

The writing in this film is superb. Seldom do you get depth from more than one character in a film. This film has at least four characters that shine in great depth. There is the father, the daughter, the big-time lawyer, and the boyfriend of the daughter; all given ample opportunity to display their deepest emotions in a world-class script about a boy unjustly accused of a petty crime, There are many parallels in this Edwardian-era film to the struggles of black families who have children unjustly accused of petty crimes as well. Guilty until proven innocent seems to be a recurring theme. Emma Thompson is an incredible talent who dominates every scene she is in. This is one of the best films of the forties; and in my opinion FAR better than the academy award winner for that year - Hamlet. This was actually the best film of 1948.