By September 1942, war-weary Britons had been through the Phoney War, the Darkest Hour, Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain and the worst of the blitz, but still had a long way to go. True, the US had now entered the war, the Nazi invasion of Russia was stalling at Stalingrad and El Alamein was just around the corner. But Britons knew they still had a long battle ahead of them. Churchill's prediction that: "This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning," was still two months away. Britain was halfway through what would turn out to be a six-year struggle.
It was at this point, 80 years ago, that the film In Which We Serve opened at British cinemas. "This is the story of a ship," Trevor Howard's voiceover tells us immediately. We then see the ship in question - the fictional HMS Torrin travel from the moment of its construction, through to its launch shortly before the outbreak of war in 1939, to the end of its "life" when it is sunk during the Battle of Crete in May 1941. This last event is not a spoiler: the ship is abandoned after being hit very early in the film.
Most of the story is told in flashback as the Torrin's embattled crew remember their lives of service on board the vessel as well as their time with their families both before and during the war.
Denne historien er fra September 2022-utgaven av Best of British.
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Denne historien er fra September 2022-utgaven av Best of British.
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Animal Magic
Hilary Middleton recalls a children's author whose tales are still enjoyed today
BACK IN TIME WITH COLIN BAKER
BoB's very own Time Lord prepares for an alternative to panto, recalls his early reading choices and having his scenes cut from two cutting edge comedies
Marvels in Miniature
Claire Saul learns about the exquisite works on display at a new exhibition being held at a historic Georgian mansion
The Last Post
Michael Foley witnessed the end of an era
The Box of Delights
Chris Hallam remembers how his Christmas 40 years ago was lit up by a magical television drama
The Queen of Stage and Screen
Chris Hallam pays tribute to actress Dame Maggie Smith
Other 07
Jonathan Sothcott looks at the seven Sir Roger Moore films that you should have in your collection
In the Best Possible Taste
Derek Lamb remembers the wireless wizardry of Kenny Everett
POSTCARD FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Bob Barton remembers a ghostly train journey, enjoys some wassailing and fulfils a long-held ambition of attending a lawnmower festival
MERCY MISSION
John Greeves recounts the remarkable exploits of Sunderland flying boat T9114