Rent Malta Story (1953)

War Story - Malta Story review by Steve

Surprisingly objective account of the Siege of Malta during WWII, for which the island was awarded the George Cross. There is some pro-British propaganda, but also an attempt to see the conflict from the perspective of the occupied nation. And it is broadly factual, including a subplot about the interrogation of an Italian spy.

Though it's a stretch to imagine that UK military intelligence was quite so gentlemanly. There is evidence of a difficult production, with about a dozen well known British actors uncredited in tiny roles. The director was replaced and Brian Desmond Hurst's principal task is to splice real footage from the conflict into a dramatic story. 

And this makes the action seem authentic, but rudimentary and dull. The main problem is Alec Guinness, who is miscast in a romantic and heroic role as an RAF spotter who falls in love with a local girl (Muriel Pavlow). She has a moving final scene which is the best moment in the picture, when it suddenly becomes emotionally involving.

Still, Jack Hawkins is reliably brusque and phlegmatic as RAF command. There's a familiar scenario of grumbling Tommies and brave Spitfire pilots. It tells the story of Malta's suffering at the mercy of the Luftwaffe with a fair amount of realism. And that is its merit; as a tribute to the resilient islanders as they resist Nazi invasion.