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The Winslow Boy

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7.0/10 • 25

1948-09-241h 57m

Drama

In pre-WW1 England, a youngster is expelled from a naval academy over a petty theft, but his parents raise a political furor by demanding a trial.

Directors
Anthony Asquith
Editors
Gerald Turney-Smith

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Robert Donat

    Robert Donat

    Sir Robert Morton

  2. Cedric Hardwicke

    Cedric Hardwicke

    Arthur Winslow

  3. Margaret Leighton

    Margaret Leighton

    Catherine Winslow

  4. Basil Radford

    Basil Radford

    Desmond Curry

  5. Kathleen Harrison

    Kathleen Harrison

    Violet

  6. Francis L. Sullivan

    Francis L. Sullivan

    Attorney General

  7. Marie Lohr

    Marie Lohr

    Grace Winslow

  8. Jack Watling

    Jack Watling

    Dickie Winslow

  9. Walter Fitzgerald

    Walter Fitzgerald

    First Lord

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Sep 24, 2022

7/10

This is a super ensemble "David and Goliath" style story. When young "Ronnie" returns home having been expelled from the Naval Academy, accused of forgery, his father is quickly convinced of the young man's integrity and innocence. This is not just a proud father's belligerence, but a determination on behalf of this upstanding and principled man "Arthur" (Sir Cedric Hardwicke) to see his son gets justice. To that end, he alights on the renowned barrister and parliamentarian "Sir Robert Morton" (Robert Donat) to raise the issue in Parliament - it was not possible to seek ordinary legal redress for the lad as it would have meant effectively suing the King which was a big taboo! What now ensues is a well delivered story of right and wrong, of sacrifice and of love. Donat features sparingly really, but when he appears his delicate charm and subtle means of engaging with the camera speak volumes that, coupled with Rattigan's own adaptation of his play and with a solid cast including the always reliable Kathleen Harrison, Basil Bradford and Margaret Leighton create a potent look at just how effective the little man can be, when given the right impetus and a proper champion. It's not devoid of humour, either - usually at the hands of the gramophone-wielding, rather foppish "Dickie" (Jack Watling) who is happily wasting £200 a year at university with all the academic acumen of a toadstool. Just shy of two hours, it really does motor along well and though the ending is maybe a little bit rushed, it's provides an interesting character study of a family life that must adapt and even struggle to do what is right. Well worth a watch.

Media

  • The Winslow Boy poster
  • The Winslow Boy poster
  • The Winslow Boy poster
  • The Winslow Boy poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
london, englandbased on play or musicallawyerjusticemilitary schoolexpelled from school1910s