Leofwine_draca LANDFALL is an interesting little war picture, made in Britain in 1949 and long forgotten by most people - that is until it showed up on the Talking Pictures TV channel (God bless 'em) here in the UK. The film is an interesting little morality play in which a good-natured RAF man (played by Michael Denison in the usual British stiff upper lip spirit) accidentally blows up a British submarine that had strayed into the wrong waters.The story that follows is somewhat slow and stately, but always engaging. Denison's protagonist is a sympathetic one who undergoes a pretty dark story and it all builds to an effective and surprising climax that works a treat. The supporting cast is full of familiar faces including Maurice Denham, a youthful David Tomlinson, the reliable Sebastian Shaw, and a trio of newcomers who would become familiar faces in future years (Paul Carpenter, Harry Fowler, and Laurence Harvey).

Marlburian This is an acceptable WWII film that I watched courtesy of Talking Pictures TV channel, with the scenes featuring aircraft offering something for aviation enthusiasts.The first few minutes plodded a bit with one protracted discussion between Rick and Mona and then another between Rick and newly-arrived pilot Binks; the "musical" efforts of the latter were almost irritating. But unlike another reviewer here on IMDb I thought there was good chemistry between Rick and Mona - and between Rick and Binks.Denison's initial breeziness irked somewhat, but he performed well enough after he thought he'd sunk a British submarine. The sub-theme of class difference didn't quite work because Patricia Plunkett as Mona seemed too superior for a barmaid working in a pub popular with servicemen.The actors playing senior naval and air-force officers were effective.After I'd watched the film I thought that it seemed very much like a plot by Nevil Shute, and a check of IMDb showed that it was.

writers_reign This entry has a special place in my affections; after watching it I made a point of noting it was based on a novel by Nevil Shute, of whom I had never heard. I went the next day to my local library in search of the novel and in lieu of Landfall itself - presumably out on loan - I took out another Shute title and enjoyed it so much that I eventually bought every Shute novel and still re-read them with enormous pleasure. I was slightly concerned that this early effort would not hold up but I was pleasantly surprised that it still held my attention although not as richly detailed as the novel. I thought Patricia Plunkett caught Mona particularly well, not a raving beauty nor quite an English rose but a warm, level-headed ideal wife-in-the-making. Glad to find it again.

malcolmgsw One has to wonder what film goers of the late 40s made of this film when compared to the glossy Hollywood films.After all in the states this film would probably have Clark gable and Lana Turner in the lead.instead we have a rather wooden Michael Denison playing opposite a rather plump Patricia Plunkett.They have absolutely no charisma and their scenes together are forced.in the background we are told that the class divide no longer exists when in fact it is abundantly there for all to see.Almost as unbelievable as the romance is the scene of the bomb trial.The plane being piloted by Denison breaks up in mid air and crashes in to the sea.He is allowed to survive the crash to provide a happy ending.There are some new faces to be seen including Laurence Harvey and David Tomlinson.However it is unlikely that this sort of tosh would have been enough to tempt cinema-goers into their local ABC to view this.