The Young Mr. Pitt
The Young Mr. Pitt is a 1942 patriotic British period drama directed by Carol Reed starring Robert Donat in the title role and dual roles as William Pitt, father and son. Other leading roles are Robert Morley , Phyllis Calvert and John Mills .
action
In 1770, the First Earl of Chatham, William Pitt the Elder, gave a fiery speech in the British Parliament in London denouncing the unfair treatment of new settlers in the American colonies. He advises his son, William the Younger, not to seek fame in war. Years later, King George III is pleased that he has got rid of the unloved politicians and Prime Minister Charles James Fox and Lord North, among whom the North American colonies that formed the United States of America. However, there doesn't seem to be a perfect replacement. To the surprise of the political ancestors, the King elects William Pitt as the youngest Prime Minister the United Kingdom has known, even if the latter had sharply criticized the war against the North American colonies and instead earned a reputation as a courageous reformer.
Pitt tries to win the support of the experienced Fox in his political intrigues, but is rejected by him. Pitt does not get a majority for his plans and is ridiculed in parliament, but refuses to step down despite these early setbacks. He is even the subject of a nightly ambush, but famous boxers Dan Mendoza and John “Gentleman” Jackson help him drive away the attackers. Calmed by the boxers' claims of strong public support, Pitt calls for a peace and prosperous election that will give him a majority. Against Fox's constant opposition, the young Mr. Pitt then introduces reforms and strengthens the Royal British Navy. At the same time, after the end of the French Revolution in France, Napoleon Bonaparte rises to become emperor of his country and soon becomes a threat to Britain's claim to rule over the seven seas. When the Netherlands are invaded, Great Britain falls into conflict. As the war drags on, Fox, the public and even Pitt's friend William Wilberforce demand that the Prime Minister negotiate a peace settlement with Napoleon.
Pitt, meanwhile, discovers that he has neglected his personal finances and is now deeply in debt. To make matters worse, the politician Pitt realizes that since Napoleon came to power in France, peace with his old rival on the other side of the English Channel will not be possible. Pitt is completely absorbed in this fight and even sacrifices his love for Eleanor Eden for it. He introduces a bold but risky strategy, goes on the offensive in the Mediterranean, and assigns Admiral Horatio Nelson to lead the British naval squadron. The political strain one day leads to Pitt's health collapse. Meanwhile, Lord Nelson finds and destroys the French fleet in the Battle of the Nile. The people cheer Pitt, but the arduous fighting continues, and when Napoleon writes to the king and offers him a peace treaty, Pitt is forced to resign by his old adversary Fox, public opinion and his declining health. A peace treaty is signed giving Napoleon time to build his armies and fleet. He gathers his troops on the French coast opposite England. In view of the threat of invasion, the country is calling for Pitt again. Despite warnings from his doctor, William Pitt will once again become Prime Minister. Now he's even got support from Fox. The decisive British victory at the Battle of Trafalgar puts an end to the threat of a French invasion.
Production notes
The Young Mr. Pitt went into the mass start in England on September 21, 1942. The strip was never seen in Germany.
Maurice Ostrer was head of production, Alex Vetchinsky created the film structures. Cecil Beaton , assisted by Maurice Carter , designed the historical equipment and also created the costumes. Ronnie Taylor was a camera assistant (so-called “clapper loader”). Wendy Toye did the choreography without naming it .
Reviews
Bosley Crowther stated in The New York Times “the nature of the historical period in which this film is set, and the writers' apparent allegiance to the facts of Mr. Pitt's life, conspire to prevent this flick from having a harshly dramatic effect Has."
The Movie & Video Guide wrote: "Long, only occasionally moving historical drama".
Halliwell's Film Guide characterized the film as follows: "Bulky and excessively long but generally entertaining historical imitation, which was conceived as wartime propaganda against Hitler".
Individual evidence
- ^ Review in the New York Times of March 11, 1943
- ^ Leonard Maltin : Movie & Video Guide, 1996 edition, p. 1491
- ^ Leslie Halliwell : Halliwell's Film Guide, Seventh Edition, New York 1989, p. 1145
Web links
- The Young Mr. Pitt in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- The Young Mr. Pitt in Turner Classic Movies