This is a superbly cast film, well acted, intelligent, and with an interesting story. It's rather slow going, as there's near continuous talk (while the characters simply sit, stand, or slowly walk), but hardly any action (pretty much the sole exception being a certain short portion of early in the film, that definitely does feature significant compelling dramatic action during roughly five minutes or less). I don't consider that a fault, just a drawback that may send you into sleepy mode at times. Too, the story is overall, for the most part, gloomy, with an ongoing general vibe of literal dead seriousness.
This is the type of movie that you watch and appreciate, and are impressed by the performances and a quite good (albeit rather stagy) script, but will probably find yourself feeling, by the end of the 112 minutes spent, that, while you certainly may wish to eventually watch it again, you'll likely not be eager for that to occur till after quite some time has passed first.
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Reply by barrymost
on November 19, 2019 at 5:51 PM
I came across this by chance while leafing through a movie book. It sounds very interesting, so I think I'm going to give this a watch at some point in the near future. The casting looks like it has a lot of great character actors. What kind of rating would you personally give it, gen?
Reply by znexyish
on November 19, 2019 at 9:38 PM
I like it. But it is a dour fantasy and if you can engage with it then be prepared. Made just after WWII so everything was pretty serious. It was based on a play from the twenties which was first made as a movie in 1930 with the title "Outward Bound" . If you like it I would also reccommend the 1946 ,British film "A Matter of Life and Death" which was released in the US with the title "Stairway to Heaven"
Reply by barrymost
on November 21, 2019 at 6:29 PM
Thanks very much! I've also heard of A Matter of Life and Death but under the title Stairway to Heaven. I've added both films to my watch list, as they both sound like highly interesting fantasies.
Reply by genplant29
on November 23, 2019 at 1:37 PM
I haven't yet rewatched this since my viewing of nearly 2-1/2 years ago, and now would be up to watching it again.
barry, I see I rated this 8/10. I definitely consider it a movie that's well worth watching - though do schedule it for sometime when you're in the right mood for "serious".
znexyish, I remember liking Outward Bound, which also has a very good cast.
Reply by znexyish
on November 23, 2019 at 3:10 PM
Thanks Gen. Also it should be kept in mind the the seriousness comes out of two things. The stage play it was based on was written as a response to WWI and Between Two Worlds made at the tail end of WWII. So keep that in mind. As for the talkiness to me extended dialogue is part and parcel of the 1940s where talk is just as much the attraction as pictures.
Reply by genplant29
on November 23, 2019 at 3:31 PM
Excellent points you've made, znexyish.