Documentary News Letter (1942-1943)

DOCUMENTARY NEWS LETTER OCTOBER 1942 to. The old structure of society is not being affected by the war, and this 'ere progress, if it goes on at all, only goes on a single track rail towards a horizon on which the parallel lines never meet. It would be easy to go on from here and develop an argument that In Which We Serve is consciously or unconsciously fascist in intention, and one could have a field day on this line by taking up the whole relationship between the captain and his crew. It would be easy — but quite erroneous. For what Coward has done here is to delineate with considerable accuracy the atmosphere and behaviourism of a disciplined group of men on a warship; the relationships are, accordingly, a statement of attitudes and procedures of the Royal Navy, which happens to be a major weapon in the fight of the United Nations against the Axis powers (not that any reference to the United Nations appears in the film). No; at the very worst Coward's mistake was in not having the vision to tell his story other than in terms of the limitations of democracy, whereas the need today is to tell stories which indicate the possibilities, the potential changes and developments, and the new perspectives which democracy must now actively investigate, and mould into a better future. All of which adds up to the fact that Coward has produced a superb piece of ad hoc, shortterm propaganda— a film which, because it is sincere and not mawkish, realistic in effect and not a producer's dream world (like Mrs. Miniver), and truthful in its delineation of ordinary people, is something which will at the least of reckonings be a positive factor on our own screens and on many screens abroad. SIGHT and SOUND Autumn Issue 6d. THE BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE, 4 GREAT RUSSELL STREET, LONDON, W.C.1 No. 7 There were once two Men who travelled together, one of whom was blind. These two companions being, in the course of their journey, one time surprised by night upon the road, entered into a meadow, there to rest themselves till morning; and as soon as day appeared, they rose, got on horseback, and continued their journey. \hw. the blind Man, instead of his whip, as ill fate would have it, had picked up a Serpent that was stiff w itli cold; but having it in his hand, as it grew a little warm, he felt it somewhat softer than his whip, which pleased him very much; he thought he had gained by the change, and therefore never minded the loss. In this manner he travelled some time; but when the sun began to appear and illuminate the world, his Companion perceived the Serpent, and with loud cries, "I'riend." said he, "you have taken up a Serpent instead of your whip; throw it out of your hand, before yon feel the mortal caresses of the venomous Bu t the blind Man. believing that his friend had only jested with him to get away his whip, "What,"" said he. "do you envy my good luck? I lost my whip that was worth nothing, and here my kind fortune has sent me a new one. Fray do not take me for such a simpleton but that I can distinguish a Serpent from a whip.'' With that his friend replied. "Companion, I am obliged l>\ the laws of friendship and humanity to inform you of your danger; and therefore let me again assure you of your error, and conjure you' if you love your life, throw awa\ the Serpent." To which the blind Man. more exasperated than persuaded: "W h\ do you lake all this |>ain> to cheat me. and press me thus to throw awa\ a thing which you intend, as soon as I have done so, t,, pick up yourself?" His Companion, grieved at his obstinacy, entreated him to he persuaded of the truth, swore he had no such design, and protested to him that what he held in his hand was a real and pois us Serpent. Bu1 neither oaths nor protestations would prevail: the blind man would not alter his resolution. The sun by this time began to grow high, and his beams having warmed the Serpent hv decree-, he be»an to crawl up the blind man's arm. which he immediately after bit in such a Venomous manner, that he gave him his death wound. Moral: Better be Dead than Done. REALIST FILM UNIT 4 7 OXFORD STREET, W . 1 Telephone: GERRARD 1958