Glorious 39 (2009)

In the summer of 1939 the world was posed on the brink of what would prove to be the defining turning point of the 20th century, World War II. While Japan had long held Manchuria and Korea under its control, Italy had invaded Ethiopia, and Germany had annexed Austria and parts of Czechoslovakia the previous year, what we generally think of as WWII wouldn't begin until September of 39 when German troops marched on Poland. Rushing to the aid of there Polish allies France and Britain entered the fray and in a little over two years essentially the entire planet was at war. Great Britain's role in the war is today so iconic and vaunted that it can be hard to believe that in mid 1939 the UK's entrance into the conflict was far from certain.

The First World War had been a horrible thing, traumatizing all of Europe. England had entered that war with enthusiasm largely on behalf of there allies the French. After four years of largely pointless fighting the conflict came to an end with the collapse of the Kaiser's regime; the German people were made to pay unfair reparations after the peace and thusly setting the stage for the second global conflict. Alexander Walton (Bill Nighy) fought in that war and it haunts him, now a member of Parliament Alexander wants to keep out of Europe's newly brewing conflict, and how much he wants to keep out will not be clear till later. Alexander has three children, the first an adopted daughter Anna (Romola Garai) whom he adores and is fast becoming one England's rising film actresses. Anna is in love with Lawrence (Charlie Cox) who works with her brother Ralph (Eddie Redmayne) in the intelligence service. They and others all get together for a surprise birthday party for Alexander. The elder Walton brings with him from London a mysterious associate (Jeremy Northam) who seems displeased when Anna's friend Hector, an enthusiastic young member of Parliament, repudiates Chamberlain and supports Churchill's more aggressive foreign policy in dinner conversation. A few days later Hector turns up dead of an apparent suicide, prompting Anna's suspicion and investigation into the murky goings-on that seem to surround her.

A historical thriller Glorious 39  is continuously exciting and unusually good. For those who think they've seen every variant on the World War II story in film this may prove surprising. The internal politices es of Britain at the time are central to the tale, as are allegations of an alleged conspiracy to keep England out of the conflict. While the later 'conspiracy' under Churchill to get the America's into the war receives more attention, especially on the internet, this earlier effort, no doubt in some degree real and backed by powerful people is lesser known. How organized either of these efforts wear, and the extent to which they may be characterized as sinister cables is an open question, but makes for good viewing.

One of the great things about this movie, and a perspective that we don't see that often, is its projection of the sense of fear and despair that saturated England through much of the war. People fleeing London, children relocated, houses shuttered up, martial law, and one thing I don't think I've heard about before, the mass ethunization of pets. It has a 9/11 vibe, that feeling of fearful uncertainty after a massive global change, this movie brings that home.

This movie is filled with strong performances, but they all pale in comparison to Romola Garai's glorious anchoring of the piece. Memorable as the 18 year old Briny in Atonement, Garai has a slightly different look and her shear presence on screen conveys a a strong sense of depth in her characters. She is the detective of the story, the woman on the run, a person who a strong sense of right and wrong who only wants to be believed by those she loves. Her sense of fear, feeling that she might be going slowly mad is palpable, and her courage enveloping.

This film gives you a more or less contemporary framing story that seemingly gives you a broad outline of whats going to happen, but mixes it up a little at the end, though not entirely satisfactory. Christopher Lee and Julie Christie are big names in the cast with little to do, and Hugh Bonneville steals a couple of scenes as an also ran character actor with whom actress Anna has become close. A very satisfying feature as both history, mystery, and thriller, as well as a good character peice, Glorious 39 comes highly recommended.

Great