The Winslow Boy

The Winslow Boy never had a Danish cinema release, which is a pity, for it is one of theatre and film director David Mamet's best films. Terence Rattigan, whose play the film is based on, has also previously had "The Browning Version" filmed with great success, but that is evidently no guarantee that Danish film importers will show any interest in the film.

The Winslow Boy is set just before the First World War in a respectable middle-class household that is shaken to its foundations when the youngest son Ronnie is expelled from naval college over accusations of theft. The boy maintains his innocence, so the head of the family, Arthur Winslow, gets it into his head that his son must at all costs be cleared of the unjust charge. He persuades the brilliantly able barrister and politician Sir Robert Morton to plead his son's case.

The fight for honour and dignity comes at a high cost to the family, however. The family's finances take a heavy blow, and the case also takes its toll on Arthur Winslow's health. His enterprising and independent daughter Catherine agrees with his decisions, even though her fiancé breaks off the engagement because of all the fuss.

The Winslow Boy is a sober drama about the manners and customs of an era and about people who are prepared to reject constricting norms and make great sacrifices in their belief in a higher justice. Here David Mamet's trademark, the cool detachment, is not allowed to dominate, and that is why the film grips. What remains is the ironic tone and the sharp dialogue, and although the film's characters are hardly bubbling over with passion, emotions simmer just beneath the surface.