Speaking of fascists among us, 49th Parallel, a very well made, little known WWII movie.

YouTube ^

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Good insights and I agree that his message was largely one of pacifism, but the speech DID say we need to fight to "free the world." Was he saying we must fight militarily?

Or is he speaking of the fight against nationalism and capitalism (which seems to be what he was suggesting). I was troubled by the proposal to do away with national borders. His use of "Greed" is also, IMO, synonymous with capitalism. No national borders and the abolition of capitalism seem to suggest he wanted communism. It's ironic -- he was pleading to do away with dictators enslaving the world, but seemed to be embracing communism. He is pleading for a world of reason, science, and progress -- all code for eliminating religion and working to perfect mankind.

By the promise of these things brutes have risen to power, but they lie, they do not fulfill their promise. They never will Dictators free themselves but they enslave the people. Now let us fight to fulfill that promise. Let us fight to free the world. To do away with national barriers, do away with greed with hate and intolerance. Let us fight for a world of reason, a world where science and progress will lead to all men's happiness.

[The Westerner]

Any movie produced by “The Archers” Michael Powell, director, and Emeric Pressburger, writer, are worth watching. Among my top favs by The Archers are “I Know Where I’m Going”, “One of our Airplanes is Missing”, “49th Parallel” and others.

The entire Film industry of Britain focuse on WWII films during the war because the industry had been shuttered in WWI. This was an adjustment that kept them working.

Leslie Howard became a producer/director of WWII films: “The Gentle Sex”, “The Story of the Spitfire”, his greatest which must have put a price on his head by the Nazis, “Pimpernel Smith”. Howard was on a top secret mission to Spain for the British high command. His plane was shot from the skies and he was lost. Better known as “Ashley” in “Gone With the Wind”, he also starred in Bernard Shaw’s film version of “Pygmalian”.

The “propaganda” films churned out during WWII by the Brits show how a country stands together against those who would end her.

[jamaksin]

Excellent film, add one point, however.

The title, 49th Parallel is a reference to the 49th line of latitude, and that is largely the dividing line for Canada and the United States.

[That, of course, excepting Port Roberts, Washington.]

[Weirdad]

You are brilliant.

Thank you for all your knowledgeable and asute comments, given to us all for so long, here on FreeRepublic.

I was previously unaware of this movie, and am very impressed by it now.

Comments like yours have educated me and will have legs.

Blessings to you and yours.

[The Westerner]

I am grateful to hear that my decades of commentary were interesting to you to read!

After that post yesterday listing my favorite Michael Powell directed movies, I remembered “Hour of Glory” as titled in the British release or “The Back Room Boys” as titled on my VHS copy. Like all their movies, this one is about love, but also about war, its lasting effects body and soul, its friendships, its pressure to be smart and inventive, and its lesson if learned that defeat doesn’t have to be the end of one’s story. I LOVE David Farrar in this movie. I believe this was a deeply personal story from the Archers, much deeper than at first glance. I have watched it many times ever enjoying the performances of the beautifully trained English actors, guided by the invisible hand of the greatest filmmaker of all time, M. Powell. If you need a copy, write me privately for one.