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damiller85
Reviews
The Halfway House (1944)
Importance of spiritualism in war time
I guess most reviewers are too young to remember the mind set of people at home during war. This film IMO reflects a very present concern of many people in coming to terms with grief. Spiritualism had always been important from the mid 19th century with a falling off towards the end of the century. But with a major resurgence in 1914 and WW1. The young men of whole communities in England died because of recruiting ploys like the "Pals Brigades". With this in mind, the central theme of this 1944 film (fifth year of WW2 for England) will have struck chords with many in the audience. Only 20 years separated the two WWs - not long enough to forget.
Spiritualism was never in "conflict" with science. Many 19th C. scientists studied spiritualism with the same avidity as electricity or radio waves. A couple of years ago, I went along with a friend to a spiritualist meeting in an English provincial town. I was surprised by some of what I saw and heard but most striking was the attempt by the spiritualist to give comfort to the people there. A comfort that was gratefully received.
I am not advocating spiritualism just as I would not advocate the use of placebos to the exclusion of doctors. But I have lived long enough in many countries and cultures to have experienced some pretty strange things. Keeping open a little window of uncertainty and doubt in a PC world where many know all the answers.
This tongue-in-cheek film is interesting from a number of aspects. The spiv (still reviled in my youth in England), the war-split couple, the lost child, the spiritualist seeking solace... They may seem quaint today but will have struck chords with many in the audience which is what cinema is all about.
Even the RAF father of one of the reviewers may have been unhappy with the film because it did not delve deeply enough into what was an everyday reality for him and his colleagues. Death for him was just around the corner, very real, and no theatrical imitation could possibly approach that reality.
This film taught me a few things and reinforced other things about what it was like for my parents generation.
Die Abenteuer des braven Soldaten Schwejk (1972)
Great until second writer takes over
Knowing the book well, I was really impressed with this rendering until the latter part that was not completed by the original author Haslek who had died, but was handed over to a ghost writer to complete.
But until the newer Russian section, this is better than any of the other earlier film versions I have seen. Should have had a ten if the film ended where the original book ended.
I read that Joseph Heller would not have written "Catch 22" (another of my favorites) if he had not read the book
Really exceptionally well done at the beginning capturing perfectly the satire of the book and the lead actor was perfect for the role.
I wish there had been English subtitles so I could have let other people see it.