Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageThe Foreman Went to France (1941)
Director: Charles Frend
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Preceding Ealing's marvellous Went the Day Well?, this contribution to the war effort is less imaginative but almost as effective in its more conventional way. Based on fact, it has Evans as a factory foreman sent to France in 1940 and, aided by two soldiers (Trinder, Jackson) and an American girl (Cummings), contriving to spirit vital machinery away from the advancing Germans. Beautifully dovetailing comedy and drama, it is remarkably discreet in its patriotics, aside from a final scene where French refugees nobly give up their possessions to make room for the machines on the last boat out. A pity the efforts of some of the cast - notably Morley - to pass as Frenchmen are disastrous.Author: TM
Cast & crew
Director: Charles Frend
Producer: Michael Balcon
Cast: Tommy Trinder, Constance Cummings, Clifford Evans, Robert Morley, Gordon Jackson, Francis L Sullivan full cast
Genre(s): War
Duration: 87 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now