The Volunteer

After a masterful performance as Othello in a London theater, Ralph Richardson is asked for an autograph by Fred, his dresser. A short while later, Fred has joined the Fleet Air Arm (Fly Navy) and has become a hero, rescuing a pilot from his burning plane. When Fred goes to Buckingham Palace it's Ralph's turn to ask for an autograph.

The propaganda film is hard to do right. Obviously, today we might best associate it with the Nazi government, but they didn't actually do it right: we see it and know it is fluff. Michael Powell did much better: with "Volunteer" and "49th Parallel" he didn't have to lie or fluff, he just played to the idea of bravery and patriotism.

This film is not quite as good as "49th Parallel", but that is probably because of the budget. The film quality is weak (though that could be from age). We still have a solid story and it works as both a war film and a story of an actor who wants something more.