Best Picture Winners: 1941 - 1944

Some quick recaps from films viewed in January/February 2008:

How Green Was My Valley (1941)

Director John Ford's touching treatment of Richard Llewellyn's novel stars Roddy McDowall as a youth who witnesses his family's struggles in a Wales mining town. His family becomes divided when a strike threatens their livelihood. Meanwhile the only daughter of the family is romanced by the new preacher. Still entertaining today, although the episode with the bullies seems manipulative.

Mrs. Miniver (1942)

Greer Garson plays the title role in this film about the effects of the impending war on a well-to-do English family. Mrs. Miniver's son enlists, and the film contrasts the horrors of war (air raids, a threat from a stranded German soldier) with the upcoming flower show competition. A tragic turn of events toward the end only strengthen the England's resolve against Germany. Still-powerful film boasts strong performances and realistic battle sequences, especially the family's hiding in a shelter during an air raid, the explosions getting closer and closer.

Casablanca (1943)

Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) is shocked when his ex-love Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) walks into his cafe in Casablanca with her husband, who is being hunted by the Nazis. Rick possesses their means of escape - letters of transit which help them reach America. This classic love story still packs a punch thanks to the chemistry of the leads, the outstanding supporting cast (Peter Lorre, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Claude Rains, Paul Henreid), and the World War II backdrop.

Going My Way (1944)

Enjoyable story of the new priest Father O'Malley (Bing Crosby, who does get to sing) and the pastor (Barry Fitzgerald) who doesn't instantly warm the new Father's modern ways. More a series of vignettes than a plot that moves forward, the film is too good natured for that minor point to matter. The Christmas gift Fitzgerald receives at the end of the film is sure to get some tears flowing.