Carrington V.C. (1954) Reviews

• An officer on trial for doing what he said he would?.

  Spikeopath2008-09-27

  Major Charles Carrington (David Niven), is arrested for taking £125 from the base safe, he also face two other charges that could finish his distinguished service career. He decides to act on his own defence at his court martial hearing, his argument being that he is owed a lot of money from the army for his various postings that have cost him out of his own pocket. To further complicate the proceedings, Carrington alleges he told his superior, the very disliked Colonel Henniker, that he was taking the money from the safe. A mans career, his marriage, and quite a few reputations, all hang in the balance. Yes, well it is very British, of that there is no denying, it's very much heel to toe, cup of tea and chin chin chin. So with that in mind {i'm British myself by the way} this may grate on film viewers outside of the British Isles, but it's a really honest and interesting piece that scrutinises the British Court Martial system and rewards the court genre fans royally. Niven is, well Niven, he's always a solid professional who always earned his pay, and good support comes from the ladies of the piece, Margaret Leighton and Noelle Middleton, whilst i must give a mention to the seriously great Victor Maddern, an actor who was far from the A list of British greats but once you put the name to the face, you will see he was always memorable in what films he made. So as a court room genre fan, and of course a staunch fan of British cinema, i'm going to rate 7/10 with a disclaimer that if those outside of my shores don't get it....well you just don't get it, {nudge nudge wink wink}.

• Stiff Upper Lip

  thekennelman2003-07-02

  This one is admittedly a bit stiff, but then again, it is British, and a military courtroom drama. It sits firmly in the middle of Niven's career but seems curiously, and sadly, unknown. I remember it from my childhood, but caught it again today forlornly filling up a gap in a minor TV channels schedule. It deserves better. **The following may contain spoilers** Niven's character 'Copper' Carrington is a brave, correct, and a seemingly successful officer in the British army but has a number of clouds on his horizon. His marriage is weakened by an illicit liaison with a female officer and his fame has made a jealous enemy of his Commanding Officer. To top it all he is in desperate financial straits as his army pay is grossly in arrears, he has simply moved too fast from post to post for it to catch up with him. But when he tries to rectify the situation the army bureaucracy forms part of the problem and not the solution, denying him his due remuneration. His remedy is to remove £100 pounds (some £5000 in today's money) from the army safe of his battalion `If they won't pay me, then I'll pay myself.' He quotes, and his arrogant stance, although laudable, is his undoing. He is court-martialled, and has but one defence. If he can establish that he took the money openly, and with the full knowledge of his C.O. then the charge that he stole the cash covertly will fall. Complications abound aplenty as he also has to answer further charges relating to his extra-marital liaison. His difficulty is that there are only two witnesses who can help him. One is his C.O. who is both his accuser and the prosecution's main witness for both sets of charges, and his wife, who is slowly becoming aware of his infidelity during the course of the court martial. Defending himself he rebuts the prosecution case as best as he can, but then in his defence he has to call his wife. What she will say and what the court makes of her testimony are the substance of this film and await the viewer. There are however enough twists and turns in this plot to keep all but the most cynical from seeing it through. If not for the plot then watch for the supporting cast lead by the incomparable Victor Maddern. With the exception of Niven, none of the cast were superstars but they formed the backbone of the British Film and Television industry in the post-war period and have their own place in history. Watch also for a moment of self sacrifice by Niven as his conscience wrestles with the dilemma of what to do with a crucial letter which may establish his innocence, but condemn another in the process. The members of the court too are caught in the quintessential paradox of all courtroom battles. They cannot judge the man, as we the audience are clearly invited to do, but only the evidence before them. Final word goes to the director, Anthony Asquith. Son of Lord Asquith the British Prime Minister during the First Wold War, he would direct many British Classic movies including 'We dive and Dawn', 'Yellow Rolls Royce' and even scripted Oscar Wilde's 'The importance of being Ernest' A pity this film is not as well known, don't miss it.

• Cavaliers v Roundheads

  dwm512007-06-19

  The major theme of this film is the role of the war hero in a peacetime army. Carrington is an undoubted hero but the rule-breaking qualities that made him a hero are not welcome in a peacetime army where bureaucratic procedures are the norm, represented in this film by Henniker, Carrington's commanding officer and an unbending stickler for the rules. So, Carrington is romantic but wrong and Henniker is dull but right. The film, filled with great ensemble acting performances, invites you to choose which you prefer. At the time the film was made, Germany had emerged from the ruins of war with Europe's most dynamic economy whereas Britain, the victor, was mired in post-war decline. Carrington was the dashing war hero but Henniker is in charge now. Henniker, who avoided action in the war, with his Germanic name and blond hair. There's a nice metaphor here. Britain won the war, but who won the peace?

• A gripping and intelligent courtroom drama

  MOscarbradley2017-03-30

  A brilliant courtroom drama that doesn't rely on flashbacks to present its case but sticks solely to the testimonies of the various parties involved. Carrington is a major being court-martialed for stealing money which he claims was his by right. It's superbly written, (by John Hunter), directed, (by Anthony Asquith) and played, (by a superlative cast of British character actors). David Niven, at his very best, is Carrington and Margaret Leighton is terrific as his highly strung and jealous wife. The Irish actress, Noelle Middleton, is also excellent as the captain with more than a soft spot for Niven. This is a gripping and intelligent film that really deserves to be seen.

• A good reputation is hard won,easily lost and rarely regained.

  ianlouisiana2009-01-21

  Released at a time when the majority of the audience would have been only too familiar with the culture of the armed forces,"Carrington VC"raises the thorny issue of the different qualities required of an army officer in peace and war."Copper" Carrington,brave,dashing and debonair as he might have been when up to his neck in mud and bullets has failed to impress his war - dodging CO Col.Henniker(the splendidly disdainful Mr Alan Cuthbertson)in the performance of his more mundane administrative duties.Furthermore he is admired and respected by his men in a way Henniker will never be.Carrington(Mr D.Niven) and his wife(Miss M Leighton) have been moved from base to base so often that his allowances have not kept up with him,and,fed up with receiving no co - operation in this matter,Carrington informs Henniker that he is removing a sum of money from the safe consistent with that owed to him which he will repay when his overdue cash arrives. The money is found to be missing and Henniker denies having been spoken to about it.Carrington is consequently put up for Court Martial. To add to his woes,distraught about the behaviour of his increasingly drunken wife,Carrington embarks on a brief fling with a female colleague(the winsome Miss N.Middleton)and is further charged with that. Back in the 1950s adultery was a serious matter whether committed by serving army officers or no.He is in serious trouble. At his trial his defence - obviously - is that as he informed his CO that he was taking the money there was no criminal intent involved. Unfortunately the malevolent Henniker perjures himself,the wronged wife perjures herself and he is convicted on all charges despite the doubt of two of the five "Judges". Jealousy,envy and prudishness have won out over courage and integrity. The career,indeed, the life of one of the bravest of the brave is in tatters. Further,ridiculously,in my opinion,he could have been stripped of his VC as a result of his conviction,as if his subsequent conduct - however reprehensible - could have any bearing on the act of heroism that earned him the medal in the first place. Carington refuses to appeal in order to prevent his wife having to undergo a further ordeal but at the last minute,having been left in no doubt how his men felt about the verdict,a witness emerges,a switchboard operator who overheard Carrington's telephone conversation to Henniker about taking the money from the safe.Immediately,Carrington's Defending Officer (Mr R.Francis)gives Notice of Appeal,but it is hard to see how his career will remain unaffected even if he is acquitted at a later date. Henniker,the bean counter/flower grader/button pusher will have succeeded in ruining the "lead from the front" hero officer. A good reputation is hard to win,easy to lose and almost impossible to regain. Mr Niven's Carrington is seemingly a rather ineffectual,hesitant character.Clearly in his moment of glory it was a case of "cometh the hour,cometh the man".Susceptible to a well - turned ankle,he has many of the ills the flesh is heir to yet was capable of selfless bravery at the right time.No vainglorious Flashman - type hero he. "Carrington VC" tells us that literally anyone can be a hero given the circumstances,that it can be thrust upon those least likely to be seeking it,and that it's blessings can be considerably mixed.