Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageFor Freedom (1940)
Director: Maurice Elvey, Castleton Knight
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
1938: newsreel chief Fyffe compiles a movie explaining the genesis of the war that's about to break out; then the Munich agreement is signed. 1939: he's now working on a picture about world peace; the Nazi/Soviet pact is signed (the censor allows Fyffe to say 'God damn', unheard of licence at the time) and war starts a week later. Quite an ingenious format for propaganda, this, permitting more comedy than usual, but the film then forgets about Fyffe in favour of a re-enactment of the destruction of the Graf Spee (cf. The Battle of the River Plate). A speech by Churchill rounds off the proceedings. For the cinephile this is all pretty negligible. For the historian it's worth a look, as an artefact from the momentous summer of 1940.Author: BBa
Cast & crew
Director: Maurice Elvey, Castleton Knight
Producer: Edward Black
Cast: Will Fyffe, Anthony Hulme, EVH Emmett, Guy Middleton, Albert Lieven, Hugh McDermott, Terry-Thomas, Robert Beatty full cast
Genre(s): War
Duration: 84 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