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Nowadays its hard to believe that Greer Garson was highly reluctant to undertake the role after MGM's former queen Norma Shearer turned it down. Afraid of being forever typed into playing noble self sacrifing women rather than the comedy characters she aspired to, it nevertheless was the best career decision she ever made and it also cemented her legendary association with fellow actor Walter Pidgeon who plays her loving husband Clem. Mrs. Miniver was responsible for making this pair the most popular screen team of the 1940's. Based on the serialised novel by Jan Struther "Mrs. Miniver", was as timely a film as could be imagined in early 1942. With war raging in Europe and America on the brink of joining in this tale of a comfortable middle class English family and the trials and tragedies they undergo as a result of the war struck a chord everywhere. The film begins in the leisurely period just prior to England's becoming involved in the war against Germany. Distant rumblings are being heard about German aggression in Poland but life is taking its usual course in the small town of Belham until the Prime Minister announces that England is at war with Germany. Life is totally transformed over night as eldest son Vin (Rihard Ney) enlists in the RAF and shortages and black outs become a regular feature of everyday life. The full horrors of war come to the Village as the bombings begin, houses are destroyed and life is lost. Clem Miniver (Walter Pidgeon) gets a first hand look at the war when he is recruited to take part in the gruelling evacuation of Dunkirk, and Mrs. Miniver has a terrifying confrontation with a downed German pilot where she is held at gun point in her kitchen. Tragedy later strikes the family when only two weeks after the wedding to Vin, Carol Beldon/Miniver (Teresa Wright) is killed by some stray shell fire. Like in all times of war however the human spirit is still maintained and life goes on. Despite the danger of Nazi bombing the famous Belham flower show goes ahead as usual and elderly Lady Beldon (Dame May Whitty), a former believer in maintaining "one's place in the order of things", learns a lesson in humility when she graciously lets humble Mr. Ballard (Henry Travers), have the thrill of his life by winning the Best Rose at the show with his "Mrs. Miniver", Rose.

There of course is the famous quote by Winston Churchill in regard to this films impression on people that "Mrs. Miniver" was worth more to England's war effort than a dozen destroyers. High praise indeed. Of course in our present cynical age it's very easy to ridicule this film with its often picture post card views of English life just prior to the outbreak of war. I personally feel the film goes a long way towards trying to seriously show what life was like pre 1939 and certainly how that life was changed forever, and often tragically, by the bombings and losses that England endured. Its message of dealing with adversity and moving on is a universal theme just a relevant today. Criticism was also strangely made of the fact that the Miniver's where a quite affluent upper middle class family with servants. The movie I feel clearly illustrates that all classes suffered equally during the war and experienced loss and sadness. Despite her reluctance to take on the role Greer Garson IS Mrs. Miniver and never can I think of a more perfect marriage of actress and character. The film was not an especially pleasant working time because director William Wyler as seen in his famous work with Bette Davis, was notorious for his repeat takes and commanding manner on film sets. He clashed with famed MGM set designer Cedric Gibbons over what he termed Gibbons' "Chocolate Box" English Village set and often drove Greer Garson to distraction with his brusque direction. Despite those tensions the end result on screen was well worth it and the film boasts many unforgettable scenes and performances. The supporting cast is unsurpassed with the standouts being Teresa Wright as the tragic Carol Beldon, Dame May Whitty as Lady Beldon and especially Henry Travers in his touchingly poignant performance as Mr. Ballard, the station-master and creator of the "Mrs. Miniver" Rose. . The air raid scenes also are depicted in a stark and no holds barred manner that vividly convey the terror people experienced during these frightening bombings.

Topping Exhibitors polls everywhere as the most popular film of 1942 and winning 7 Academy awards in the process, including Best Film, Actress (Greer Garson), Best Supporting Actress (Teresa Wright) and Best Director (William Wyler), few films have left such an indelible impression on moviegoers in any time. Mrs. Miniver", has certainly gone down into movie history much the same way as "Gone with the Wind" has. As entertainment of its time "Mrs. Miniver", I believe is unsurpassed and makes for a totally engrossing movie experience. Tragedy and happiness are all equal components of our lives and "Mrs. Miniver", is richly endowed with both. A true movie treasure.


Dated, Still a Classic   April 1, 2004
"Mrs. Miniver" is regarded as a classic WW2 homefront movie. In this case the setting is a comfortable prim and proper English town in the Summer of 1939. When WW2 breaks out, the "good and decent" townspeople must put aside their stuff class distinctions and pull together against the common enemy, Nazi Germany. The Battle of Britain, the retreat from Dunkirk and eponymous wartime romances/ heartbreak are aptly used as background. The female leads carry the picture. In fact Greer Garson and Teresa Wright won Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress Oscars. Another cast member, Dame May Whitty was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress and male lead, Walter Pidgeon, was nominated for Best Actor. MM also won Best Movie honors and Director William Wyler also was given a statuette. MMs timing was fortuitous! Work began just before the attack Pearl Harbor and wrapped in the Spring of 1942 just as this country needed propaganda/soap operas supporting the Big One. One can appreciate the rush to Oscars but that too has its own story: Lost in all the awards was Ms. Garson's stunning role alongside Ronald Colman in "Random Harvest". Almost lost was Ms. Wright's work as Lou Gehrig's wife in "Pride of the Yankees" for which she and Gary Cooper were nominated for Oscars. MM has two main weak points: One is that the 133 minute run time is plainly too long. Some of those flower-growing contests should have been shortened. Other scenes unfold far too leisurely. The second weak point is that unlike other propaganda flicks (like "Casablanca"), MM has not aged gracefully. It now appears dowdy and dated. There are definite strong points: The small town setting is one. The little vignettes are outstanding such as when the maid Gladys learns her boyfriend's getting drafted! There is also the best-trained movie cat in history. (This review is passing over without comment those "famous" scenes of the captured German pilot and the minister's closing speech/sermon). In the last analysis, MM will always have those two strong Garson and Wright performances which will preserve it as worthwhile viewing even today. MM is recommended for serious movie viewers.


Simply beautiful   January 26, 2003
I've seen this film several times now, and despite knowing what occurs, the beauty never wears off.

The film is aesthetically lovely, thanks to William Wyler's low key yet attentive and detailed style. The characters act naturally, something oft times missing in older films that lean to be more stylized. The acting is incredible in this film, and something many a modern film would do well to copy. Greer Garson is the portrait of strength, beauty, and dignity as Mrs. Miniver in a brilliantly played role. Yet it's the substance that stays with you. The film is telling a story about people and a time in history, and it's simple because it allows itself to be. It flows like real life, the trivial, the simple, the small moments, the enormous and life shattering. It taps into the real emotions people feel, and not big "war movie" emotions, but the joy of greeting a child upon return, of having a flower named after you and winning an award, of happiness and humor, of exhaustion, fear, pain, and grief. The film gently brings us into another life and lets us reside there. While there, we begin to love the Minivers and those that they love.

At one point in the movie, the family is in a bomb shelter and Mr. and Mrs. Miniver are talking. Mr. Miniver picks up "Alice in Wonderland" and begins to recite a passage about the joys of childhood, a summer past, and the simple pleasures in life. Mrs. Miniver finishes the passage, and Mr. Miniver (Walter Pidgeon) mentions that he wonders if Lewis Carrol ever thought that his story would be so beloved decades later. I found that interesting, because after all these years and viewings, it's the characters and their palpable experiences and emotions, the strength and courage they show, and the simplicity of the film in allowing us to see it plainly and feel it too, because it's a story of the human experience we can all relate with that isn't limited to the battleground, that do and will keep this movie everlasting, and an homage to the human spirit.