Past Present Future The Great Political Films: The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
Oct 24, 2024
Dive into a WWII classic that intertwines romance with the harsh realities of conflict. Explore the complexities of Clive Wynne Candy, the film's nuanced protagonist, as he grapples with nostalgia and disillusionment. Discover why Churchill wanted the film halted and whether his suspicions about its messaging were warranted. The themes of outdated heroism and evolving patriotism resonate throughout, while a sneak peek at presidential film favorites hints at intriguing cultural connections.
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Olivier Blocked From Colonel Blimp Role
- Laurence Olivier was blocked from playing Clive Wyn Candy because the government feared the film mocked the military establishment.
- The War Office withheld his release in 1942 and offered Henry V in 1943 instead, so Powell and Pressburger cast Roger Livesey and proceeded.
Blimp's Moustache As The Film's Rosebud
- The film uses a Citizen Kane style puzzle to explain how a caricature forms by tracing Clive Wyn Candy's life back to key moments.
- The moustache (the film's Rosebud) conceals a dueling scar and signals how a youthful event ossifies into identity.
The Duel That Creates A Lifelong Friendship
- Candy fights a duel in Germany with Theo Kretschmer Schuldorf that leaves both men facially scarred and sent to the same hospital.
- The duel becomes the seed of a lifelong friendship and Candy's romantic fixation on Edith Hunter, played by Deborah Kerr.