Malta Story

1953
Approved
1h 37m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

1942 and the island of Malta is battling for survival. The threat of invasion by Axis forces is increasing as air raids wear down its defence. Entering this maelstrom is Flight Lieutenant Pe... Read all1942 and the island of Malta is battling for survival. The threat of invasion by Axis forces is increasing as air raids wear down its defence. Entering this maelstrom is Flight Lieutenant Peter Ross, an RAF photo-reconnaissance pilot.1942 and the island of Malta is battling for survival. The threat of invasion by Axis forces is increasing as air raids wear down its defence. Entering this maelstrom is Flight Lieutenant Peter Ross, an RAF photo-reconnaissance pilot.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos29

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Top cast50

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Alec Guinness

Flight Lt. Peter Ross

Jack Hawkins

Air Commodore Frank

Anthony Steel

Wing Commander Bartlett

Muriel Pavlow

Maria Gonzar

Renée Asherson

Joan Rivers
(as Renee Asherson)

Hugh Burden

Major Eden

Nigel Stock

Giuseppe Gonzar aka Ricardi

Reginald Tate

Vice Admiral Payne

Ralph Truman

Vice Admiral Willie Banks

Flora Robson

Melita Gonzar - Maria's Mum

Manuel Bugeja

Maltese man riding horse and carriage
(voice)

Ronald Adam

Group Captain - Operations
(uncredited)

Jack Armstrong

Hudson Passenger
(uncredited)

Derek Aylward

Naval Cypher Office
(uncredited)

Peter Barkworth

Cypher Clerk
(uncredited)

Ivor Barnard

Old Man in Food Queue
(uncredited)

Peter Bull

Flying Officer
(uncredited)

Stuart Burge

Paolo Gonzar - Maria's Brother
(uncredited)

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Benito Mussolini's decision not to attempt an invasion of Malta in June 1940, has been called the worst Axis mistake of World War II. Italian generals overestimated Malta's defenses. If the Italians had invaded the colony then, it would have been impossible for the Royal Navy to re-supply the garrison. Adolf Hitler was shocked that Mussolini had wasted time in formally declaring war on France and the British Empire on 10 June 1940, instead suggesting Mussolini should have invaded Malta after first launching a surprise attack on the British fleet at Alexandria.

Goofs
The continuity "goof" above is wrong. There are two arrivals of Spitfires. The one at 30 minutes is the one referred to, but they aren't allocated numbers. The allocation of numbers takes place on the second arrival of 60 Spitfires at about 60 minutes and all are allocated numbers with ground crew holding boards with the numbers on.

Quotes
Flight Lt. Peter Ross: Hello.
Maria Gonzar: Hello.
Flight Lt. Peter Ross: So... you weren't killed.
Maria Gonzar: No... I hardly ever am.

Crazy credits
Opening credits prologue: MALTA 1942

Connections
Featured in Frances Farmer Presents: Malta Story (1959)

User reviews32

Review

Featured review

Interesting war footage, disappointing acting

Very much a weekend afternoon film now, almost 50 years after it was made, this film gives an accurate portrayal of the wartime events which led to Malta's being awarded the George Cross. The footage of the air and sea battles is fascinating, but the acting is sadly wooden.

Jack Hawkins turns in his usual competent performance, but Alec Guiness is very bland. Flora Robson is an unlikely Maltese mother, symbolising the suffering of the island people. The other credited actresses, Muriel Pavlow and Renee Asherson, appear almost catatonic, and the two love affairs are utterly unconvincing.

A lot of the entertainment lies in spotting well-known faces in their younger days! No surprise to see Victor Maddern and Sam Kydd (whinging, but getting the job done!), Gordon Jackson (uncredited), a very young Rosalie Crutchley and an (almost) unrecognisable Nigel Stock!

Watch this to learn about Malta's wartime history, but choose another film if you want to see these famous names acting with some passion!