Customer Reviews
Good film, well worth watching - By: , 24 Apr 2004 
I hadnt heard about this film when it was out at the cinema, I picked itup by chance at the video shop.
I liked it so much I bought the DVD.Its a well acted, funny, character driven film about 2 very unsual people.
If you get the chance watch it.
The spirit needed to win - By: Sally-Anne, 03 Mar 2004 This film is based on a true story, that one of the two writers (Richard Everett) read in a book, "The Amateur Commandos" by Raymond Foxalll, in Godalming Library. It is about two army dentists who had repeatedly applied for active service in WWII & had repeatedly had their requests turned down. Finallly, the older man, Sergeant King decides he & Private Cuthbertson will send an explanatory letter to Churchill together with their army pay books, then they will take a train to Plymouth & cross the channel to occupied France where they will blow up some German ships. They don't find any ships to blow up but they do find wires to cut, railway lines to blow up & a radar station to attack. When they run out of hand grenades, they make their way back home, well satisfied with a job well done.
It's a lovely story: beautifully written & wonderfully acted, it's funny & moving, & it's also the type of story that generates a warm-hearted sort of pride. Two very ordinary, absurd, English heroes, sick of making dentures, determined to join the fight; they break the rules, take ridiculous risks, seem at times bumblingly inefficient - but they succeed! Churchill, who was having a very difficult time at this point in the war, was considerably cheered by the mad-cap but morale boosting endeavour.
The spirit needed to win - By: Sally-Anne, 22 Feb 2004 This film is based on a true story, that one of the two writers (Richard Everett) read in a book, "The Amateur Commandos" by Raymond Foxalll, in Godalming Library. It is about two army dentists who had repeatedly applied for active service in WWII & had repeatedly had their requests turned down. Finallly, the older man, Sergeant King decides he & Private Cuthbertson will send an explanatory letter to Churchill together with their army pay books, then they will take a train to Plymouth & cross the channel to occupied France where they will blow up some German ships. They don't find any ships to blow up but they do find wires to cut, railway lines to blow up & a radar station to attack. When they run out of hand grenades, they make their way back home, well satisfied with a job well done.
It's a lovely story: beautifully written & wonderfully acted, it's funny & moving, & it's also the type of story that generates a warm-hearted sort of pride. Two very ordinary, absurd, English heroes, sick of making dentures, determined to join the fight; they break the rules, take ridiculous risks, seem at times bumblingly inefficient - but they succeed! Churchill, who was having a very difficult time at this point in the war, was considerably cheered by the mad-cap but morale boosting endeavour.
Great British Yarn - By: Bob Jenkins, 10 Sep 2003 This film is supposedly based on a true story - & in fact it's so far-fetched that it has to be true. Set during world war two, it tells the amusing tale of an old sergeant & a young recruit, both of whom are mustard keen to 'do their bit', but find themselves trapped within the Dental Corps. Having written to Winston Churchill to explain their intentions, the old Sergeant then takes his ardent young colleague over to France for a bit of 'derring do'. To say more would spoil the film, but I thoroughly enjoyed it for its humour & its 'feelgood' factor.
Wonderful! - By: Richard Beenham, 05 Sep 2003 This film is a wonderfully refreshing antidote to the ever-present crop of dumb Hollywood blockbusters. It has what alll these films lack: a superb script, wonderful performances of true depth, loving direction, & a real warm heart. The over-used phrase "feel-good" definitely applies here.
It is based on the true story of two frustrated army dentists who went AWOL in 1942 to go to France & "do their bit", thoughtfully writing a letter to Winston Churchill explaining their intentions before they went.
It contains enough twists & turns to keep the viewer thoroughly absorbed throughout, a fine balance of belly laughs & more subtle comic sequences, as well as a few genuinely moving moments. All the performances are top-notch, especiallly from the two leads (Kenneth Cranham & Leo Bill), whose odd-couple partnership & attendant bickering belies a touching father/son bond.
A tight, flowing script & rock-solid direction ensure there are no superfluous moments. Add to this some beautiful cinematography & a wonderful score & you have a thoroughly enjoyable & satisfying 104 minutes. And for those who absolutely cannot bear to sit through a film without witnessing an explosion of some description, there are even one or two included for good measure.
It is a real shame that this film was denied the wider cinema release it so richly deserved. As the majority of cinema chains in this country are American-owned, & therefore prefer to show American-funded films which fit their audience demographic, there's your answer.
My only real criticism of the DVD is that whoever was responsible for creating the viewer menu had trouble spelling the word "Documentary"... but that is a minor quibble. What matters is that a film of such obvious quality can be produced for a fraction of the average Hollywood budget. Buy this film & feel that warm glow of proud Britishness once more.
So there you have it. And I didn't mention "Dad's Army" even once!
