Rent A Town Like Alice (1956)

Great British War Film. - A Town Like Alice review by Steve

Jack Lee was one of the directors who came through the documentary movement at the GPO before making feature films. While this is beautifully photographed, it has the realism which is quite common to British war film of the '50s and '60s, with its understated acting and location filming in Malaysia and Australia.

The novel by Nevil Shute was inspired by the experiences of Dutch women in Indonesia. Here they are British women and children in Malaya, swept out of their colonial offices and homes by the rapid invasion of the Japanese army, and forced to march across country in the company of a monolingual guard, until they begin to die from malaria and malnutrition.

The women are trenchantly portrayed by a wonderful cast of character actors. It really feels like we get to know them. It leaves the impression of an epic, despite its average running time. It is a tremendously moving film about the suffering of the displaced prisoners. Though please note some racist language is used.  

The diverse, stoical ensemble is superbly led by a pragmatic Virginia McKenna, adapting to circumstances grotesquely alien from civilian life. Her alliance with Peter Finch is captivating and inspiring. And it is good to see that the adversity borne by the local people is featured far more than is usual in British war films.

Dated (50's) - A Town Like Alice review by Swambi

A good story, but movie making has moved on - just how far, you'll see if you watch this! It is not in colour. If you want to see a film about Malaya you could try "The Sleeping Dictionary" - a much more convincing film.