"Mrs. Miniver" is a great film. I didn't thnk of it i that context, but it belongs,along with the "Best Years of our lives".. off to church..catch up with you later...
I watched "Mrs. Miniver" last night which was on the Cleveland PBS station. They show many classic B&W films on Saturday night. This film came out in 1942, so America was just moving into the war. Since I taped it, I will share with you its final moments. The pastor is speaking in the partially bombed-out church:
"We in this quiet corner of England have suffered the loss of friends very dear to us. Some close to this church; George West (choir boy), James Ballard (station master and bell ringer and the proud winner, only an hour before his death, of the Belden Cup for his beautiful Miniver rose). And our hearts go out in sympathy to the two families who share the cruel loss of a young girl who was married at this alter only two weeks ago.
The homes of many of us have been destroyed and the lives of young and old have been taken. There's scarcely a household that hasn't been struck to the heart. And why? Surely you must have asked yourselves this question. Why in all conscience should these be the ones to suffer; children, old people, a young girl at the height of her loveliness? Why these? Are these our soldiers? Are these our fighters? Why should they be sacrificed? I shall tell you why.
Because, this is not only a war of soldiers in uniform, it is a war of the people - of all the people - and it must be fought not only on the battlefield but in the cities and in the villages; in the factories and on the farms; in the home and in the heart of every man, woman and child who loves Freedom.
Well, we have buried our dead, but we shall not forget them! Instead, they will inspire us with an unbreakable determination to free ourselves and those who come after us, from the tyranny and terror that threaten to strike us down. THIS IS THE PEOPLE'S WAR. It is our war. We are the fighters. FIGHT IT THEN. Fight it with all that is in us, and may God defend the right."
(The congregation now stands and sings "Onward Christian Soldier." Seen through the bombed-out roof are planes flying in formation to win a war against evil.)
I just watched Mrs. Miniver for the first time last week. Wonderful movie!!!