This Happy Breed is a truly magnificent film.The genre of showing the lives of ordinary people during times of great historical importance has been done often enough but seldom,perhaps never, better than in this adaptation of Noel Cowards play. The family around whom the film revolves are comfortable but the film's dialogue enables us to realise the hardships being endured by millions of others Britain between the wars. The drama is powerful but never over the top and the strength of character of 'ordinary people' in those difficult times is magnificently portrayed through the father's advice to his son and the mother's views on morality.This relative subtlety on the part of director David Lean works extremely well in conjunction with the gentle pace at which we are made aware of the passing of time and the attending events. The film's ending,too,is in keeping with the unsensational nature of the whole piece and leaves the viewer with the very satisfying feeling that he/she has just watched an enjoyable and significant piece of drama.
Review of This Happy Breed
