CARRINGTON V.C.

Anthony Asquith made something of a speciality of directing adaptations of plays, this being a prime example.  He was clearly confident enough in the material that he makes no effort to make this film cinematic in any way, not even adding any music.

It all takes place at an army barracks where the court martial of Major Carrington VC is happening; indeed we spend a high proportion of the running time in a single bare room where the trial is conducted.

But it's not at all boring, given that the play is in its quiet way a very effective drama, and that the cast is more than capable of putting it over.  

Carrington (David Niven) is accused of stealing money fraudulently, and his defence is that he did it out of necessity and that he had informed his commanding officer, Colonel Henniker, of what he was doing.  Henniker, who envies Carrington's war record and his popularity with the men under him, denies this.

One person who can help corroborate Carrington's story is his wife (Margaret Leighton) who doesn't live at the barracks and who doesn't care for being an 'army wife'.

The most interesting part of the drama concerns their relationship, which is further complicated by the presence of Captain Graham (Noelle Middleton) who clearly loves Carrington.  In fact as the film builds to its climax we learn that Carrington and Graham did in fact spend one night together, a revelation which surprised me given that I didn't think British films of this type from this period were quite so sexually explicit.

Anyway, this revelation causes Mrs Carrington to choose not to help her husband when she gives her evidence, in a highly effective scene, leading him to be found guilty.  

But don't worry, we get a happy ending thanks to Chekhov's Telephonist.

The play was written by a husband and wife team who had experience of army life, which no doubt explains why the film feels very authentic as to the details of how a court martial would be conducted and how army people conduct themselves.

Carrington is remarkably calm throughout, with David Niven displaying a fine British stiff upper lip. It's something he was very adept at although I found it a little irritating at times and I could well understand why he might get under Henniker's skin.

Noelle Middleton is note perfect as the loyal woman who has mistakenly resigned herself to never getting the man she loves.  

But the acting honours go to Margaret Leighton as a rather tragic figure who is so self-centred that she cannot be relied upon to do the right thing.    

So OK, this is no 'Waiting for Godot' but it's a well-crafted adaptation of a solid play, and that's no small thing.

RATING: ✓ Cheers