The Stars Look Down
Directed by Carol Reed
Written by J.B. Williams, A.J. Cronin, and A. Coppel from the book by A. J. Cronin
1940/UK
Grand National Pictures/Grafton Films
First viewing/Streaming on Amazon Prime Instant Video
[box] Robert Fenwick: On the other side of that coal seam is a million tons of flood water ready to rush right down on top of us.
Richard Barras: You don’t think I’d take a chance in floodin’ me own mine, do you, Fenwick?
Robert Fenwick: Well, show us the plans of them old workings, then![/box]
This is an excellent, if dark, drama with outstanding performances by its leads.
The story largely takes place in a North England coal mining village. Robert Fenwick is an outspoken miner who brings the men out on strike, over opposition by the union, when the mine owner insists they mine a seam Fenwick believes is at risk of flooding. Robert’s son Davey (Michael Redgrave) has received a scholarship and wants to use his education to better the lot of the men. During the course of the strike, the starving men loot a butcher shop, Robert gets thrown in jail, and Davey’s friend young reprobate Joe Gowan (Emlyn Williams) robs the till and sets off for the high life in town.
Joe has been romancing his landlord’s daughter Jenny (Margaret Lockwood), along with a number of other girls. To make him jealous, Jenny takes up with Davey. When Joe skips town, Jenny uses her considerable powers to sweet talk Davey into marrying her, compromising his education. Davey is forced to try to continue it, while supporting her, back in the village. Nothing goes right and then tragedy strikes.
This is a precursor of those “kitchen sink” British dramas that are filled with shrewish unfulfilled housewives. And yet, like those films, it is deeply moving. Redgrave and Lockwood play serious characters very far from their usual urbane selves and give wonderful performances. I had not seen Emlyn Williams (better known as the author of The Corn Is Green) before. He is wonderful as the despicable Joe. Recommended.
The Stars Look Down was named one of the top 10 films of its year by the National Board of Review.
I notice that the full movie is currently available on YouTube.
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