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Major Barbara

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6.7/10 • 20

1941-05-142h 1m

Comedy

Idealistic young Barbara is the daughter of rich weapons manufacturer Andrew Undershaft. She rebels against her estranged father by joining the Salvation Army. Wooed by professor-turned-preacher Adolphus Cusins, Barbara eventually grows disillusioned with her causes and begins to see things from her father's perspective.

Directors
Gabriel Pascal
Editors
Charles Frend

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Wendy Hiller

    Wendy Hiller

    Major Barbara Undershaft

  2. Rex Harrison

    Rex Harrison

    Adolphus Cusins

  3. Robert Morley

    Robert Morley

    Andrew Undershaft

  4. Robert Newton

    Robert Newton

    Bill Walker

  5. Sybil Thorndike

    Sybil Thorndike

    The General

  6. Emlyn Williams

    Emlyn Williams

    Snobby Prince

  7. Marie Lohr

    Marie Lohr

    Lady Britomart

  8. Penelope Dudley-Ward

    Penelope Dudley-Ward

    Sarah Undershaft

  9. Walter Hudd

    Walter Hudd

    Stephen Undershaft

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Jun 25, 2022

7/10

Gabriel Pascal and (George) Bernard Shaw have reunited for this enjoyably paced, quirky and characterful adaptation of his 1905 play. That creation uses chocolate, this one replaces it with arms as the eponymous, upright and virtuous character - Wendy Hiller - re-evaluates her leading light position in the Salvation Army when their General (Dame Sybil Thorndike) agrees to accept two huge donations - one from a recently ennobled brewing magnate, the other from her father "Andrew Undershaft" (Robert Morley) - the aforementioned, billionaire arms dealer. It's oft described as a comedy, this - and there are certainly comedic elements to it, especially from Morley and her academic suitor Rex Harrison ("Adolphus Cusins"), but is largely presented more of a question to us, the audience. It challenges us to assess which is (or might be) the more important influence: religion or money; prosperity or integrity. Are they mutually exclusive? Perhaps it is a rather simplistic choice, but Shaw offers us scenarios ably illustrating the opportunity and hypocrisy that we may appreciate both the emotional and practical quandaries of "Maj. Barbara" as her resistance to her father's mercenary existence is tempered with his argument justifying his wealth, and his power. Morley is super - his delivery potently justifies his position to the point where it seems irrational to doubt it! The staging is a little too fixed. Though there are a few outdoor scenes, the vast majority appears overly hemmed in. The brewery lights flashing on and off; the scenes in their shelter, and at their home - all are just a bit linear. The pretty lively scenes with an on-form Robert Newton (the down-to-earth, working-class pragmatist "Billy") come across as just a bit too stifled - the flow is almost staccato at times. With the likes of Ronald Neame, David Lean, Charles Frend and Vincent Korda helping out behind the camera, it was always going to be a well made film, and indeed it is. A social commentary that pitches avarice against principle - and one that leaves us to decide... Good stuff.

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
based on play or musicalestranged fathersalvation armyweapons manufacturer