Not copyrighted in the U.S.A. New York opening at the Roxy: 10 March 1943. U.S. release: 26 February 1943. U.K. release: 21 September 1942. London trade screening: 16 June 1942. Australian release through G.B.D./20th Century-Fox Film Corporation: 24 February 1944 (sic). 10,912 feet. 121 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Good biographical feature stars Donat as the famous English politician and statesman of the title. He rises to prominence early and becomes prime minister at age 24. Morley is his political nemesis who eventually comes to respect the youthful leader.
COMMENT: Whilst director Carol Reed doesn't match the elegance of his opening dolly shot in the rest of the movie (at least so far as imaginative camera movement is concerned), he does work in some really memorable images, especially with his lavish montages and staggering crowd scenes. Yep, they had protesters and rallies in those days too!
Technically "The Young Mr Pitt" is a marvel of superlative craftsmanship in every department. Even the models look great.
But despite the lavishness of its budget and the stirring nature of its message, "The Young Mr. Pitt" rarely made it to Saturday nights around the working-class neighborhoods, but was confined to midweek bookings. The main drawback: virtually no love interest. (According to screenwriter Sidney Gilliat: "Pitt was known as a cold fish in his day.")
OTHER VIEWS: Splendid historical drama. Although made in war-time as a patriotic breast-rouser with obvious parallels in the speeches against Napoleon vis-a-vis Hitler, the production is so ably acted, magnificently set and brilliantly directed to be still vastly entertaining today. And, of course, the speeches in those days were nothing if not witty.
SYNOPSIS: Good biographical feature stars Donat as the famous English politician and statesman of the title. He rises to prominence early and becomes prime minister at age 24. Morley is his political nemesis who eventually comes to respect the youthful leader.
COMMENT: Whilst director Carol Reed doesn't match the elegance of his opening dolly shot in the rest of the movie (at least so far as imaginative camera movement is concerned), he does work in some really memorable images, especially with his lavish montages and staggering crowd scenes. Yep, they had protesters and rallies in those days too!
Technically "The Young Mr Pitt" is a marvel of superlative craftsmanship in every department. Even the models look great.
But despite the lavishness of its budget and the stirring nature of its message, "The Young Mr. Pitt" rarely made it to Saturday nights around the working-class neighborhoods, but was confined to midweek bookings. The main drawback: virtually no love interest. (According to screenwriter Sidney Gilliat: "Pitt was known as a cold fish in his day.")
OTHER VIEWS: Splendid historical drama. Although made in war-time as a patriotic breast-rouser with obvious parallels in the speeches against Napoleon vis-a-vis Hitler, the production is so ably acted, magnificently set and brilliantly directed to be still vastly entertaining today. And, of course, the speeches in those days were nothing if not witty.