An absolutely excellent film, and I speak from experience, 22 years as a line infantry officer , I was also a Battalion 2ic under not dissimilar circumstances. However the problem were resolved by a posting , although the senior office concerned died prematurely from natural causes. As an aside , I did deal with a suicide of a young officer caused by unnecessary pressure and the careless issue of a sidearm . The British Army was a wonderful institution with its own peculiar habits a traditions, however I’m reliable informed it’s being destroyed as we speak by the same malady that afflicts the US armed forces, wokeism and the corrupt general staff. It is an appalling situation to me and officers of my generation.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

9 ай бұрын

Thank you for your insights. As I should have mentioned in my review, I am sure that bringing in an outsider to run a any major institution can always cause friction and challenges - but even more so in a long-established military unit with esprit de corps and its own "pecking order". Again, thanks for watching and your comments.

@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe

3 ай бұрын

2:36 I guess the privacy and honor of real veterans cannot be protected now. Here? It's Too Bad!

World class film. Never tire of watching several masterful performances and a incredible story 😊

Tunes of Glory is one of those films, like Hobson' Choice, Night of the Demon or 12 Angry Men that I will always watch to the end when I catch them on tv, however late... and apropos Jock's uncharacteristic 'breakdown' I always thought that it was an indicator of how war hardens hearts and a single death in isolation in peacetime can hit harder sometimes than the death toll in a bloody battle.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

Precisely. The film runs under 2 hours and, in retrospect Kennaway's script might have added a short scene in which Jock brushes aside any talk of losses during the war - to show he's obsessed with not facing it. Also thinking about it, the never-ending fierceness of Jock's bravado seems like it could partly be a defensive mechanism as he must constantly prove how tough and manly he is.

@midnightmoses580

8 ай бұрын

Good to see Night of the Demon getting a well deserved mention.

@SuperAna1954

7 ай бұрын

Yes, 12 angry men, one of my life movies ❤❤❤

I think the ending scene is not only perfect, but inevitable. Barrow and Sinclair are two men whose psyches were destroyed by the war. Barrow copes by falling back on family and military tradition and an obsessive regard for minutiae, Sinclair copes by playing almost a caricature of himself, full of over-the-top bravado, and possibly alcoholism. Sinclair skillfully strips away Barrow's protective covering only to have his own protective shell blown off suddenly and entirely by Barrow's suicide. Sinclair's last hold on sanity is obsessing about Barrow's funeral, but it quickly unravels before our eyes. It's one of Guinness' finest performances.

@RichardDCook

7 ай бұрын

I feel that the final scene is more powerful in the film than the book, due to Guinness bringing an eerie, almost supernatural, feel to the change that comes over Sinclair during and after seeing Barrow's corpse. Is Sinclair, ever so subtly, taking on some of Barrow's mannerisms? Certainly Sinclair is haunted by Barrow. Does he also feel possessed by him?

Brilliant film! Superb acting! Very much under rated. I can look at it again and again. I like your analysis.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

6 ай бұрын

Appreciate your kind comment - and it is an under-appreciated gem.

@kaamkmca

6 ай бұрын

👍@@Vlad65WFPReviews

An overlooked film, but one that deserves to be far better known, in terms of acting I would rate it along side 12 angry men as films that reply on dialogue and acting not special effects - kudos to you for singling Tunes of Glory out.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. Yes, in a modest way I hope this channel enables some people to find these great British-themed films that deserve to be seen. As a Canadian, I started my quest after finally seeing the full version of Ice Cold in Alex which is criminally under-appreciated in North America.

It's the character played by Dennis Price (Major Charles Scott, M.C.) who is the real villain imo.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

I agree - he is the one who twists the knife and triggers his new CO's final act. Interesting in one commentary the director said maybe even Price wasn't sure what was motivating his character - his dark enigma is what makes him so interesting.

@adagietto2523

7 ай бұрын

@@Vlad65WFPReviews He was really nasty to the CO - but he was actually right in what he said, that's what makes the scene so hard to watch.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

7 ай бұрын

@@adagietto2523 yes, he was full of disdain from his perception of the CO's weakness and spared absolutely nothing in psychologically gutting him

@mikewinston8709

18 күн бұрын

Agreed. Price; a magnificent actor, played a fabulous part beautifully….

One of the best films I watch often and its rare now II choose to go back to old films but this film helps my mental health more than most.

What a great movie, I saw when it first came out and I am sure it was in Black and white. Alec Guinness's performance was one of his best and that's saying something. Thanks for posting this gem on You Tube.

@michellepeoplelikeyoumurde8373

4 ай бұрын

Never b&w

"Whisky for the gentlemen that like it and for the gentlemen that don't like it, Whisky!" Jock Sinclair

Great review, the film is a time capstone of a bygone era

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

Thanks. And perhaps what I might have included in the review is the film's universal relevance. The clash of a newcomer taking over also applies to workplace and even family situations. And a friend who grew up near a military base some years ago did say the behind-the-scenes politics with the leadership were tough and ongoing.

The Pipe Major and the Regimental Sergeant Major, although correct with each other, despise each other. The inter personal rivalries are typical inside the British regimental system.

@trident1314

6 ай бұрын

It's quite funny how he rips the p**s out of the sgt maj

Unlike today most if not all actors have no military experience and many hold the military in disdain and it shows. Whereas tunes of glory was played by actors who had served in the war and their sympathetic and genuine approach to serving characters stands head and shoulders above today's contemporaries.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

7 ай бұрын

Of course you are right. When I have researched actors for many of my reviews I am intrigued to find those who served and considered how it must have impacted their performances. For example, in Guns of Navarone, David Niven and Anthony Quayle had both seen war service, Quayle doing behind the lines duty in intelligence and he even wrote a novel based on his experiences available from the IWM.

@mikewinston8709

18 күн бұрын

All the saluting; always a sloppy giveaway in modern films, is immaculate. All performed by former soldiers.

Very insightful review. Thank you.

One actor who deserves recognition is Allan Cuthbertson. Playing Capt. Eric Simpson, who is the only Officer who knows the new C/O and knows him to be a fine officer. It angers him when his brother Officer's disrespect the new Lt. Colonel Barrow. Jock Sinclair's attitude to Capt. Simpson is to put him down at every opportunity. Allan Cuthbertson a fine actor went on to be cast in many other military roles...why, he was even cast as the Colonel in 'Fawlty Towers'

As was the case with the Caine Mutiny, the villain of the piece is the one who had the most to gain but whose inaction caused the entire disaster to unfold. In TCM it was Keefer, here it is Charlie Scott. As a company commander, he needed to come down on one side or the other and instead tried to navigate in a way that caused himself if not maximum benefit then perhaps the least discomfort. His snide commentary that sets Barrow off wasn't inaccurate, but he had an obligation to back up the CO. Instead, he went to the billiards room to wait things out.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

7 ай бұрын

The billiard room scene was intense and memorable drama - a cold calculation to upend everything. It is tragic that Dennis Price (also so good in Kind Hearts...) had personal issues that hurt his career as he was a great presence and I wish we could have seen more of him.

Thank you for another great video. Its always been one of my favourite films. I'm a fan of your very considered reviews and this one keeps up your high standard. Also, as a fan of John Mills, Alec Guinness and David Lean I'd like to nominate Hobson's Choice as a possible future subject for your attention! Thanks again!

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. It was a pleasure doing this one and I have owned a Criterion copy for years. I will add Hobson's Choice to the to-do list. I believe the only time I have referenced the great Charles Laughton was talking about his Bligh while discussing Anthony Hopkins' version of The Bounty.

@darrenhoskins8382

Жыл бұрын

Yes 👍👍👍

I recently watched Tunes of Glory, and yes indeed, I loved it. "MacKinnon!--Smoke that cigarette like a man!" I was hooked right there! Excellent commentary.

A great drama, sometimes difficult to watch because I don't know who the hero is. Delivers an engrossing and palpably claustrophobic atmosphere based--like missing strawberries--on a conflict which might easily have been resolved amicably. Love it.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

So glad you are a fan of this great drama, although I might push back slightly on whether this could have "easily" been resolved - given human nature and the capacity of some people for stubbornness. In my review I wish I had added that the story is "universal" as having the arrival of a new outside leader can lead to issues and friction in any human organization, such as business or academia, not just the military.

On the point about missing strawberries in the Cain Mutiny - it was clearly inspired by Capt Bligh's famous rant about stolen coconuts leading up to the real mutiny on the Bounty

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

Excellent point. As you may know, I also reviewed the Anthony Hopkins version of the Bounty and I've long had an interest in learning about the "real Capt Bligh" after his legacy was destroyed by the "Mutiny on the Bounty" novel.

Scott is a major, not a captain. A captain, being a junior officer, would never be so familiar with his commanding officer, except for the adjutant, who would only politely and respectfully gives advice to his co.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

7 ай бұрын

quite right and thanks for the correction - I have amended the video.

Jock's (Guinness's) character's crack-up at the end reminds me somewhat of Gregory Peck's character (General Savage) in Twelve O'Clock High (1949). Both men are tough disciplinarians - difficult personalities to get along with - and yet buckle under overwhelming circumstances.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

6 күн бұрын

That is a great comparison - from an equally good movie and one of the first from Hollywood post-war looking at the psychological strain of combat command. Also, I just watched Lawrence of Arabia again and, of course, that is a main thread of that classic as Lawrence totally melted down. Thanks for commenting!

Thank you Walt for your work on this channel. I never was aware of this film. But now that I am, I will search it out and watch it. I love the older British Masters.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

Fantastic, Thor! This is exactly why I started this channel, although of course most people watch videos on films they already know. I hope the spoilers don't ruin the movie, but I have seen it at least 4 times and still enjoy it. Try to post your articulate thoughts once you've tracked it down.

Love this film ! Incidentally, my former music instructor was a member of the Royal Scot's Guards at the time this film was made and contributed to the film's soundtrack.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

6 күн бұрын

What instrument? I was an old brass player in my cadet days while some of my hobby mates are in some well-regarded pipe bands. Thanks for watching and commenting.

@ericthered760

6 күн бұрын

@@Vlad65WFPReviews He played a number of instruments, since he was a music instructor, but I believe he was a piper at the time.

This movie has more to it than the average person can gather after a first viewing. Moreover, tt takes someone with some knowledge of military life to understand all the interactions between the soldiers and the sudden collapse of Jock at the end of the movie too. PTSD is something that still being largely ignored in regard to many soldiers returning from a combat zone. As for poor Barrow, well, only Scott with his own very glacial cruelty is really to blame. Another great preformance from Dennis Price there who was in fact the most troubled soul in the movie

@Vlad65WFPReviews

5 ай бұрын

great points, and sadly, from what I understand, the talented Dennis Price was a troubled soul in his real life

very good review on one of my favourite films, I live here in Scotland in the town of Stirling, if I may could I add a few points about the production design of this movie.? Director Ronald Neame originally planned to shoot the movie on location in Scotland at Stirling Castle, at the time it was still an active army barracks and home of The Argyll And Sutherland Highlanders, Neame himself recalls the fateful meeting in Stirling with the Colonel In Chief of the regiment from who they sought permission for filming, this permission was denied due to the fact that the Colonel did not like the story and the way the British army was being portrayed, and the elements of suicide within. The opening credits as Morag ( Susannah York) walks towards the castle is the exterior approach to the real Stirling castle disguised slightly with a Matte shot, and the closing sequence as Jock's jeep leaves the castle and drives down the hill is filmed at Stirling. None of the principal actors came to Stirling, the opening shot of Morag is a body double stand in walking away from camera, and as Jock's jeep exits the real castle portcullis Jock conveniently has his head bowed and buried in his cap which he is clutching to his face, so again another stand in double for Alec Guiness in that short scene. The rest of the movie was shot on an outdoor film set constructed at Shepperton Studios near London in England, the parade ground and all buildings beyond the main entrance gate of Stirling Castle are realistic sets on the backlot at Shepperton. I think the set designers used many architectural elements from Stirling Castle to build the set and is it is pretty close likeness, there are also some elements from Edinburgh castle thrown in there. It is never mentioned what castle or town they are in during the course of the movie so one is left guessing, most people assuming it is set in Edinburgh castle, but clearly it is neither Stirling or Edinburgh, it is a fictional generic setting but it serves the drama perfectly. I'd recommend a visit to Stirling and its famous castle if anyone makes it here to Scotland, walking around Stirling castle gives a feeling of being right at the location of Tunes OF Glory, even though in reality the film was made on a backlot near London .

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the wonderful post! Yes, researching the video I learned that doors closed on the production for location filming once senior officers read the novel (which had a rather saucy cover, which didn't help). I probably could have added some of that detail but that makes for longer videos - hard to keep a perfect balance. I've only been to Scotland once, briefly, way back in the 80s but found the people very hospitable -- always recall getting totally bombed on Scottish Cup final day, without paying for a single drink at the pub! I'd love to get back - so very glad a Scot enjoyed the review!

@christoph404

Жыл бұрын

@@Vlad65WFPReviews ah, so kind of you to reply! Your review was spot on...just glad to find someone else here who loves the movie, if you ever make it back to Scotland drop by Stirling, it is an interesting historic town and is often used as a stand in location to represent old Edinburgh in movies and TV shows.

What an excellent review again and what a great film you have chosen. When I first watched this film way back I expected a war film and first response was disappointment but since then I have seen it again and it is an acting tour de force as you have said. I sometimes think it may be difficult for Americans to understand the nuances in this film without an understanding of the British class system and traditions that very much prevailed in the time depicted. It does illustrate these beautifully, thankfully most of that has now long gone. Many thanks I enjoyed this very much.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

You are welcome. And as the comments show, while this film deserves to be better known it does get a lot of love from those who do know it.

@kenoliver8913

Ай бұрын

Not just the nuances of the class system, but how that interacts with Scots-English relations. Barrow has specifically ENGLISH values - especially the "stiff upper lip" concern with social decorum (ie officers must be well bred gentlemen first and foremost). And part of Jock's resentment is not just in being passed over but being passed over by a sassenach.

Great analysis of a masterpiece in all respects, including Arthur Ibbetson's lush color cinematography and Wilfrid Shingleton's superb production design that made Shepperton Studios truly resemble a Highland regimental castle. When Guinness, like Fred MacMurray, played against his good and decent image, and played uncouth boors ("Tunes", "Horse's Mouth", "The Comedians") he was infinitely more interesting. Makes me want to see TOG all over again, and I just saw it.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for your kind comment. Interesting you brought up Fred MacMurray who did play his share of heels including in Double Indemnity, Caine Mutiny and The Apartment - and emerged as a better actor for it. I was always bothered by the story that he was accosted at Disneyland by a woman and chastised for playing the sleazy character in The Apartment - after which he only played in Disney pictures and his TV series. And Guinness could do anything, except, perhaps, do a love scene which he largely avoided.

@vanpelt2321

7 ай бұрын

@@Vlad65WFPReviews Thanks for taking the time to respond and I love the MacMurray Disneyland anecdote. And good observation about Guinness's discomfort with love scenes. I remember an author noting the awkwardness of his sweeping embrace and farewell kiss of his wife before shipping out in "Damn the Defiant!" I'm enjoying your catalogue of classic film analyses. Happy New Year.

Gordon Jackson is for some of us even better known as Cowley in The Professionals, although I loved his role in Whisky Galore.

A masterpiece

Major Jock Sinclair is a Regimental war hero who has rose through the Regimental ranks to where he is, proven in the eyes of his fellow officers and NCO's. Lieutenant Colonel Barrow has spent most of his time behind a desk and most of the war a prisoner of war by the Japanese in which he was water tortured. Thus the inadequacy and rivalry. PTSD at this time is looked at as being unstable and unreliable but most of all not talked about. As we know now Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a real disorder that develops when a person has experienced or witnessed a scary, shocking, terrifying, or dangerous event but even now stills comes with discrimination and misunderstanding.

@kenoliver8913

Ай бұрын

You miss the point though that Jock also has PTSD - in his case manifesting as survivor's guilt. It is not just Barrow's ghost he is afraid of but the ghosts of the men he led to their deaths in the desert.

@AftStrut

Ай бұрын

@@kenoliver8913 true, I did not mention it but I am not sure it was the point. I will put more thought into it. Thanks.

An excellent dissection of the film. My favourite film of soldiering. I always say it IS a war movie because they are all still living in the war even though it is possibly a couple of years later. I do implore you not to see the dancing quite as frivolous as Caine's strawberries. Highland dancing is taken very seriously by Jock regiments so Barrow is not coming from out of the blue with his order to tidy up and behave like gentlemen. British soldiers are always instructed to tighten up and take on more regimental airs having returned from operations. However the use of this particular instruction, in the film, is obviously intended, as you say, to add irony. Its rather the same as the seemingly small issue of whether or not officers are used in a leadership role when held as POWs, as is the case in Kwai.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Ай бұрын

Good points - and speaking of POWs it is fun to note that Mills later did play a senior officer in a POW camp in the very gritty and realistically cynical King Rat.

@alexpaterson5455

Ай бұрын

@@Vlad65WFPReviews O I love King Rat. Why is it never on!!!

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Ай бұрын

@@alexpaterson5455 In Canada it is sometimes shown on the Silver Screen network (which is an excellent station for classic Brit and US movies not seen elsewhere). KR is unflinchingly one of the toughest WW II movies to watch but its honesty - about the horrific conditions in camps - makes it important. Also, given the horrible state of the world today, it gave me an early lesson in human psychology when James Fox says "he gave you someone to hate", which tragically seems to be a human need.

And to add to that Jock was very much in charecter. Aye he was a hard man who fought and killed. But this was peace time he justed wanted to to look after his men and retire with the full honours he clearly deserved but how hes drove his supirior officer to that he knows he lost that now. Lost the respect and love from his men yet their still kind enough to support him. Nah that breakdown is everything on his charecter he has let everyone down himselfs his mates his regiment the army his daughter his burd and hes done it all in the space of days I can see why hes due a cry.

Excellent review and yes done with special effect driven movies that this is the antidote Thanks Walt

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much, Tom. Of course reviewing this kind of older classic doesn't yield millions of views but I do see a lot of passion from fans who truly appreciate this one.

I always love this movie ❤ saw it several times and count

Here's another two films I think are worthy of your consideration. By coincidence I think they are both from 1957. First is 'The Smallest Show on Earth with Peter Sellers, about a couple who inherit a very old cinema. The second is 'Night of the Demon' starring Dana Andrews, brought in to presumably enhance tge box office figures. It features some really excellent special effects for the day. Both very much favourites of mine! Thank you for your excellent videos. I hope you don't mind suggestions for your hit list!

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I was not familiar with the Sellers film at all. I am a fan of Night of the Demon - and the famous debate about whether they should have included the monster at the very end of the image (as the producers insisted - so they could use that famous monster image in promotion, no doubt.) Now granted it is a very terrifying monster for its day, but of course it ruined the psychological intelligence and tension of the movie.

Excellent film i remember from my youth.

John Mills ( Johnny to his acting friends) reflecting on acting career said that he was up and down the ranks.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

Well, he made many films and seems he was in uniform (regardless of rank) more often than not.

The source novel by James Kennaway is worth reading

I totally agree about the melodramatic end as it strains belief and jars with the pace of the film.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

Yes, it can be seen as a flaw in an otherwise largely flawless film. It might have been useful to have had even one earlier scene in which Jock confides about the pain of losing friends in combat or to somehow hint at the psychological weight that most veterans must carry.

@wetcanoedogs

Жыл бұрын

lots of ptsd going on here.they are just a few years away from the hell of war. my family is from Scotland and served in both wars.i thought the end when he breaks down and they just drive off is a fairwell to that life,bagpipes and all.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

@@wetcanoedogs yes, there was now definitely a grand mess in that battalion and there is no way Jock would have been left standing once the inquiry was over.

@RichardDCook

7 ай бұрын

I completely disagree. I think it's the perfect ending of a perfect film, one of Guinness' finest performances, and one of the most powerful scenes in film. Barrow and Sinclair are two men whose psyches were destroyed by the war, though their coping mechanisms and manners of concealing the damage are quite different.

another great film review. it had a fantastic cast.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much - early reaction is that a lot of people love this film and are glad to have a chance to remember and discuss it.

Hitchcock was spot on. The best.

I served 30 years as an operational fireman, and the depiction of all male group dynamics is BRILLIANTLY observed in this exceptional film, I'm stunned to say I'd never even heard of this masterpiece until two weeks ago. Very perceptive dissection of the movie Walt.

I disagree with the opinion that 'Jock' acted out of character at the end. Guinness's performance makes it believable and it brought me to tears. I wanted to see the character suffer for what he did and boy does he in the best possible way! It will haunt him for the rest of his days.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

4 ай бұрын

Hi "No. 6". To be clear, the movie doesn't give you much of a glimpse that the hard-drinking and stubborn Jock might be headed for a fall. Often stories will have at least some subtle "foreshadowing". Instead, while Jock's psychological implosion is well acted (naturally) its abruptness also offers a "convenient" finale to the story. It's a comparatively minor matter in an excellent film, but others have commented on that as well. - Thanks for watching.

@broceliandeforest7420

Ай бұрын

Breakdowns of people like Jock don't often come on gradually but in exactly the way Guiness portrayed. It's human nature.

Major Scott not Captain as stated in the narration.

@Thermopylae2007

7 ай бұрын

You beat me to it! He wears a crown on his shoulders rather than the three pips a Captain would have.

great movie

It is, as you say, marked by some terrific acting. But I think the screenplay and editing are quite flawed - there are plot holes. And yes, Guiness' breakdown is too abrupt. It's a problem that was fixable by a little work on the screenplay - mainly some early exposition of how Jock is at least as haunted by the past as his antagonist (what we'd call PTSD today). These days they'd call in a script doctor (eg Sorkin) and fix this. They'd also get a dialogue coach in to fix up several of the accents too - Guinness' brogue often slips. There are also some other easily fixed detail misakes - eg my dad played the bagpipes and I noticed that strangely enough his fingers always moved, unlike these "pipers".

Top notch analysis. I'll add that the film perfectly captures the post-WW2 British Army (1946 - 1960), i.e. still national conscription, the teeth arms Regiments being subsumed in their rich histories & traditions, many of the barracks now centuries old (complete with ancient cannons), never talking shop in the mess, the spit and polish look of the soldiers. I recommend "The General Danced At Dawn" by George MacDonald Fraser, (who was an officer in the post-WW2 Gordon Highlanders infantry Regiment), about that very period.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

Thanks. I had the luck to attend a few Highland mess dinner events during Robbie Burns days and was struck by traditions such as not putting down the bottle of Port or not having water on the table (so you could not toast the monarch "over the water", meaning Bonnie Prince Charlie). Interesting that Fraser was also in the Gordons - they produced some great writers!

@martinidry6300

Жыл бұрын

@@Vlad65WFPReviews As an addition there's the tradition in the Royal Navy officer's messes that they never swear a toast of loyalty to the reigning monarch as being the senior service , their loyalty is beyond question. In my Yeamonry Regiment, if you entered the squadron bar and ordered a drink with cap or beret still worn, you bought a round for all there. No one made that mistake.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

@@martinidry6300 You are a great source of info! Can you explain the scene when the mess barman was lying down about 5 glasses of Scotch each covered with a coaster as drinks were ordered for Sinclair? (Meanwhile, as a very young Sea Cadet on a weeklong Destroyer Escort cruise I recall the RCN still followed the tradition of a daily rum ration back in the day.)

@martinidry6300

Жыл бұрын

@@Vlad65WFPReviews At a farewell dinner for the Colonel, after the meal, all present would down a "wee dram" to honour Jock & then everyone would drink at their own pace. Hence the lineup of 5 Scotch whiskies ready for action. They were covered with a coaster to retain the full pungent aroma of the whiskey. It's got nothing to do with tradition or anything of that ilk, but first class mess waiters. A bit more detail on the well-known social class division in the British Army has only been seriously addressed in the very late 20th century. Now you see why there’s a Royal Navy, a Royal Air Force, but no Royal Army in Britain. The Royal Family, and the socio-cultural system around it, hasn’t forgiven or forgotten the British Army’s prime role in getting rid of royalty and aristocratic privilege in Britain - albeit for a short time. A direct consequence of this is the fact that the British Army is effectively on a one-year contract. To elaborate, once every year a charter is presented to the monarch of Great Britain to sign, officially approving of the existence of the British Army for another year! This sort of thing never gets talked about. It's also worth noting that an oath of personal loyalty to the reigning sovereign of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (not to the country) is pledged by a new recruit to the British armed forces to this day - just as it was back then. Does that ring a bell? At the start of "Valkyrie", prominently portrayed is the personal oath of loyalty to the Fuhrer, not to Germany. As usual, the Royal Navy is exceptional regarding this - their commissioned officers don't swear this oath because it's maintained by Royal prerogative, not by Parliamentary Act. The loyalty of naval officers to the Sovereign is taken for granted. You're Canadian. Here's some more info on Highlander regiments in the 18th century:- The Highlander Regiments’ uniforms were the most expensive infantry uniforms in the British Army of the time - for privates it was £3, 13 shillings and 10 pence. As a gauge, 5 shillings, 10 pence was 2 weeks’ wages for an infantry private. In other words, that uniform was worth nearly half a years’ wages for a British infantry private. All British soldiers kept the uniform when they left the Army. Officers, of course, had to pay for their uniforms themselves. Another reason for Highlander soldiers being expensive was that they were far more heavily armed than other British infantrymen. In addition to the musket, bayonet and sword, (Highlanders were issued the far more effective and fearsome claymore, rather than the short sword called the hangar), they also wielded a dirk (a Scottish dagger) and one Scottish pistol holstered under the left arm. The Highlander Regiments’ big advantage to British Army administration was that they were quicker to recruit and train than any others in Britain. Interestingly, the first Highlander military unit created by Britain was actually in the American colony of Georgia in 1740 by General James Oglethorpe and entitled the 42nd Regiment of Foot. It was disbanded in 1746, yielding its number to a new 42nd Regiment of Foot in the British Army composed of what were called Independent Highland Companies, much more famously to become known as the Black Watch Regiment. It would be the first Highlander Regiment sent to North America from Britain as well as being the oldest Highlander unit in the British Army - it still exists today, though as a Battalion, not a Regiment. The Indians, when first becoming acquainted with the British Army’s Highlanders, were convinced that they were another type of Indian - such was their obvious warrior spirit, their level of physical fitness and endurance, clannishness, strong sense of ancestral honour, duty and obligation, non-English language and different uniforms that noticeably set them apart. It would have come as a bit of a let-down for the Indians to have heard that most Highlanders in this campaign were weavers, labourers and crofters, meaning tenant farmers. It should be noted that a quarter to a third and sometimes a half of Highlander Regiments of this time were composed of Scottish Lowlanders. Freemasons were prevalent in the Highlander Regiments sent to North America. Very humane, they gave away hard-earned money to bombed out French residents in Quebec after it was conquered by the British in 1759. So much for the Scottish rep for being Scrooges!

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

@@martinidry6300 Wow, so much information. Btw I totally hear you on the costs of 18th Century Highland regimental uniforms. I had some friends in the local ceremonial Fraser Highlander unit - a small black powder unit linked to a serving unit here - and their recreated uniforms were stunning, elaborate and very, very pricey.

Great movie.

Great military film another that doesn't get enough recognition in my opinion is The Hill starring Sean Connery.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

Hi. You are not the first person to mention the Hill. I have seen that movie a few times but find it very hard going given the maddeningly awful way it ends.

@arejaycee5704

Жыл бұрын

@@Vlad65WFPReviews Yeah definitely not a happy ending 👍

Great reviews. This always popping up on TV at moment but knackered copy , so any of its finer details lost. I like the Guinness v Mills stand off, proving less is more & Susannah York's debut as well. Good to see George Cowley (Gordon Jackson not typecast as a Scot) & the terrifically underated (mostly by himself) Dennis price, who had his private life not been so chaotic would have enjoyed a career as fruitful as either Guinness or Mills

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

Well, it would be practically impossible to steal a picture from Mills or Guinness, but Price comes close in a sly understated way in Tunes. Watching this for about the 4th time I found myself paying more attention to Capt Scott, especially since he is so smart and keeps things close to the vest. I also need to read more about Price's personal life and career, evidently!

@graemewilson7975

Жыл бұрын

@@Vlad65WFPReviews price one of those tragic actors. He was homosexual in a time in Britain when it illegal practice and prisonable offense. He was married once certainly, if not twice and his wife had two children. Who'll be in seventies now I' believe. He was an acute alcoholic (certainly by time he did TOG he allegedly could drink two bottles of champagne and 6 bottles of Guinness before 10 am) yet when on screen up to around 1965 it wasn't obvious, after they time it was.

@Vlad65WFPReviews

Жыл бұрын

@@graemewilson7975 Thanks, I just read the full bio on imdb.com and it is a very sad tale of an unhappily wasted life and potential career. Interesting that Neame cast him even though Price had fallen on tougher times by 1959-60. And I don't mean to over-reach here, but it is interesting to see his enigmatic portrayal in Tunes given in real life he could never afford to relax and be himself given the legal and social attitudes towards homosexuality at the time. I not only greatly enjoyed him in Tunes and Kind Hearts and Coronets, but I see he was in the TV mini-series of Clochemerle which I recall loving decades ago but which is now largely unavailable.

@kenoliver8913

Ай бұрын

@@Vlad65WFPReviews He was, of course, simply brilliant in Kind Hearts and Coronets - one of my favourite black comedies.

Definitely tired of all the special effects. Like movies that have plots, conflicts,and real life characters.