Review of In Which We Serve (1942) by Sean D — 22 Oct 2011

The story of the navy destroyer Torrin is one of the quintessential British wartime movies. We follow the tale of her crew and their families through a series of battles and missions as well as more humdrum domestic scenes. It may appear somewhat stilted and wordy to a modern audience but I can't watch this classic film without being moved to tears.

The script has some wonderful touches and the performances are simply brilliant. Heading the cast (and taking credit for the script and a share of the directing) is Noel Coward and I don't think he was ever bettered in the role of the stiff upper-lipped English navy captain. He manages to make a lie of the myth that we English are an unemotional race with just the tiniest of gestures or vocal inflections. Perfectly reserved but deeply moving.

He is ably supported by the likes of John Mills, Bernard Miles and Richard Attenborough as members of the ship's crew and Celia Johnson, Kay Walsh and the sublime Joyce Carey (who is always a joy to watch) as the wives and girlfriends they leave behind.

The unrelenting horror of the wartime situation is perfectly captured and, for people like me born in the decades following World War II it really does bring home the astonishing spirit of my parents and grandparents generation in the face of unimaginable destruction and heartache.

This is straightforward storytelling that has a spirit and efficiency that modern script writers and directors could learn a huge amount from and I feel that In Which We Serve will rightly remain a perennial favourite for many years to come.