<p> World War II, which shaped the 20th century and produced what’s been called the greatest generation, also inspired many classic films — and a selection of the best is being presented on Island with special introductions by American history scholar Sheldon Hackney.</p> <p> The series begins on Monday, June 7, with The 49th Parallel, a 1941 British drama and wartime propaganda film starring Laurence Olivier, screening at 8 p.m. at the Katharine Cornell Theatre on Spring street in Vineyard Haven. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.</p>
World War II, which shaped the 20th century and produced what’s been called the greatest generation, also inspired many classic films — and a selection of the best is being presented on Island with special introductions by American history scholar Sheldon Hackney.
The series begins on Monday, June 7, with The 49th Parallel, a 1941 British drama and wartime propaganda film starring Laurence Olivier, screening at 8 p.m. at the Katharine Cornell Theatre on Spring street in Vineyard Haven. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
The Martha’s Vineyard Film Society is presenting the series in conjunction with the Martha’s Vineyard Museum as part of its ongoing exhibition in Edgartown, Those Who Serve: Martha’s Vineyard and World War II.
Mr. Hackney is a former provost of Princeton, president of Tulane and University of Pennsylvania, and chairman of the National Endowment of the Humanities
In The 49th Parallel, filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger show their ideas of why the U.S. should join the Allied fight against the Nazis.
A group of Nazi navy men are stranded on Canadian soil (viewers have just seen them refusing food and water to a group of torpedoed British seamen and so there’s little sympathy for the castaways).
The 49th Parallel was the biggest grossing film in the UK in 1941, and the biggest grossing British film to date in the US. It is rated PG and runs 105 minutes.
Admission at door is $8, or $5 for members, with all proceeds to benefit the museum.
Comments
My name is David Brown, I
David A. Brown [email protected]My name is David Brown, I live in Australia and, I'm writing you hoping that you may be able to help me to name a particular British WW2 film.
I remember as a child watching these classic films with my father, who served in the Royal Navy during the war. In particular I remember a scene in a film (black & white if I recall correctly) where there are a number of females in military dress located around a very large map of Europe upon which, are a number of objects representing army forces of both german and allied forces. These women are moving these objects with long garden hoe like instruments, according to reports they receive through their heads sets.
Meanwhile located on a mezzanine floor above and surrounding this map, are a number of Army, Navy & Airforce commanders who are viewing the map and conferring with each other, devising the best strategy to fight the war.
If my memory serves me at some point in this scene, a telephone call is received by one of these commanders, from the Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
I found similar scenes, though they are not the one I remember, in "The Battle Britain" featuring Michael Caine, Trevor Howard, Sir Laurence Olivier, Christopher Plummer etc.
Hoping you may be able to assist.
Many thanks in advance in anticipation of any assistance you may be able to offer.
Warm wishes
David Brown
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