THE LIFE AND DEATH OF COLONEL BLIMP (1943) Old soldier learns new tricks

At the beginning of the sublime THE LIFE AND DEATH OF COLONEL BLIMP, we meet plump and aging General Clive Wynne-Candy (Roger Livesay), who is badly out of step with modern warfare (WWII) and whose title and duties with the British Home Guard are now largely ceremonial. Then, in flashback, we witness the key stages in his 40-year career through three wars. We learn about his successes and failures; the loves he won and lost (all played by the same actress, Deborah Kerr); his closest friendship (with a former war enemy, a German); the evolution of his experience and beliefs – in short, how he came to be who he now is, and where he will go from here. Except Kerr, you won’t recognize a single actor in this lovingly crafted film written, directed, produced by The Archers. It may look very old-fashioned to you, but stick with it. You’ll never see a better '40s film. In fact, you may never see another better film from any decade.