Mrs. Miniver (1942)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Bob S

  
  mmmm, propaganda....

• Chris W

  
  It really hasn't aged all that well, but this is nonetheless a decently well made and well-intentioned World War II drama. What sets it apart from contemporary films about WWII is that it came out during the war, and was thus focusing on current events, specifically the impact of… More
  It really hasn't aged all that well, but this is nonetheless a decently well made and well-intentioned World War II drama. What sets it apart from contemporary films about WWII is that it came out during the war, and was thus focusing on current events, specifically the impact of the war on the homefront, which, in the case of the film, happnes to primarily focuses on the war's effect on the Miniver household, mainly the title character- a nice lady from Britain's upper crust. I liked the choices they made in terms of setting and how it focuses less on the soldiers and more on those who did their part to support the war effort off the battlefield. Being that it is a Hollywood production that apparently got great acclaim from Churchill, the film tends to stick out as being a very idealized and sanitized melodramatic propaganda piece. There are soem really moving scenes though, and, like I said, the film is well intentioned, but as a result of all I've just said, the film is extremely biased and seems rather quaint and safe by today's standards. Aside from this, the film takes a while to really get going, it's rather uneven, and there's a fair amount of screentime where the title character isn't even the focus or present in the events. It's not a waste though. The perforamnces are decent, the subject matter interesting (even if the execution could use some work), and, as I said, there are some really moving sequences that are quite well done, especially the bomb shelter sequence. All in all, a noble film, but nothing really all that great. I can see why it was popular and acclaimed upon its release, but this is one of the many cases where the decision to give it the BEST PICTURE award hasn't stood the test of time. You should still perhaps give it a watch, but if you want a propaganda piece that is something of a masterpiece (and please don't take this recommendation out of context), see Triumph of the Will instead.

• AJ V

  
  A pretty good drama about life during WWII, which came out during WWII. Not really exciting, but the actors are good.

• First L

  
  "Mrs. Miniver" could be described as "WWII as seen through the eyes of a woman". Womens' concerns over when the boys will come home and who will win the flower pageant comprise the bulk of the film. It's mostly just pure propaganda, but as Winston… More
  "Mrs. Miniver" could be described as "WWII as seen through the eyes of a woman". Womens' concerns over when the boys will come home and who will win the flower pageant comprise the bulk of the film. It's mostly just pure propaganda, but as Winston Churchill purportedly said, the movie did a great deal for the war effort (in that it inspired a great deal of sympathy for the british plight with american audiences). But Wyler throws a twist in at the last moment, showing us that it's not just soldiers we should be concerned for, in this modern style of warfare where everyone is threatened. Wyler takes the drawn-out film and uses it to make a point, but unfortunately it doesn't do a whole lot to make the bulk of the film very engaging. In the end, Mrs. Miniver is a quaint film of historical importance, but overall was of little entertainment despite excellent performances by Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon (actually, Dame May Whitty is the highlight of the film, her performance showing the most growth, bringing her staunchly upperclass Lady Beldon into the patriotism of the war). Even Wyler later said he didn't go far enough in showing the horrors of war. I don't know, it seems like the war inconvenienced Mrs. Miniver's shopping quite a bit.

• Jeremy S

  
  All time great war time film. Geer Garson is stunning.

• Rico Z

  
  In my opinion, this movie is the best portrayal of family drama relating to World War II that came out of that era (while the war was still going on). It is a document of history as well as a great film. Greer Garson is a class-act in this one. This film definitely deserved its Best… More
  In my opinion, this movie is the best portrayal of family drama relating to World War II that came out of that era (while the war was still going on). It is a document of history as well as a great film. Greer Garson is a class-act in this one. This film definitely deserved its Best Picture Oscar.

• Alec B

  
  Its well acted but it is pretty shameless propaganda. Viewed in hindsight, I don't think it has much to offer outside of a exploration into how Hollywood helped sell the war effort in the 1940s.

• Lord N

  
  I did like the acting performances and I thought that the plot line was really good. it effectivley and powerfully portrayed the hardships of people living in London during the Blitzkrieg. I really liked that. however, there were some predictable moments, mainly that the old man who… More
  I did like the acting performances and I thought that the plot line was really good. it effectivley and powerfully portrayed the hardships of people living in London during the Blitzkrieg. I really liked that. however, there were some predictable moments, mainly that the old man who won the flower award would die right after he did. and sure enough he did. also there was one part of the movie that just absolutely killed the movie for me. it was after the movie was over and you are left feeling "wow that was a good movie" and suddenly, in big letters this flashes across the screen BUY WAR BONDS. and you realize "oh my gosh I have just spent 2 hours getting my heartstrings tugged at so I could be in the right mood to give money to the government (although this is irrelevant now but back then that's how it was intended.) yeah. the experience is dulled by the fact that you realize you just spent 2 hours getting preached at. Final Verdict: It was worthy of it's best picture win until the film makers revealed that they were preaching to you. I'm waiting for something to beat this.

• Lizzy B

  
  This was the sweetest movie I've seen in a long time. I'm not usually one for mushy war stories but this was so uplifting (although tragic) it's just one of those movies that makes you realize how no matter how horrible things might become, you can find the best in… More
  This was the sweetest movie I've seen in a long time. I'm not usually one for mushy war stories but this was so uplifting (although tragic) it's just one of those movies that makes you realize how no matter how horrible things might become, you can find the best in everything. I really hope if I'm ever lucky enough to start my own family, I will have the strength and humor shown in this one.

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