BlazeLime Strong and Moving!

Pacionsbo Absolutely Fantastic

Arianna Moses Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Billy Ollie Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

krocheav This strange British Film-Makers production, has as its weird premise a story based almost unbelievably on fact. Writer Jerrard Tickell based his book on a story told to him by an officer involved in such an actual event. While the Island of this film is fictitious, it is thought the real events took place on the Isl of Sark (Channel Islands) during the German occupation of '40 - '45. Unfortunately for this film, the screen play by Nicholas Phipps (who also has a small acting part) tends to waver between comedy and propaganda. This is a pity, as there are many suspenseful moments throughout this terrific looking film. I suppose with a situation as crazy as this, it could be difficult to fully know just how to treat it, and do it full justice. Both the Director: Ralph Thomas, (Conspiracy of Hearts '60 ~ Clouded Yellow '51 ~ Wild and the Willing '62) and his Director of Photography: Ernest Steward (The Assassin '52, aka: The Venetian Bird) were versatile artists indeed. Both were comfortable working with either solid drama or comedy. And while they are mostly remembered for their various British comedies, these men were certainly well capable of injecting a little more drama into this film, had it been a better script. The cast is varied and interesting; the wonderful and very talented Glynis Johns gives a thoughtful performance, and with her big doe eyes and smooth husky voice, is fully believable as the Island girl being brought back to her homeland on a military mission. David Niven is warm (maybe a tad too warm) as the Major. Barry Jones is suitably serious as the Provost of the Isl. Kenneth More in a rare dramatic role (pity they didn't give him more) fully convinces as the pacifist artist who has turned his back on the war. It's his character that is let down badly by the screen treatment - maybe a slight spoiler here but vital info: In the film, More's character ends up joining the cause and flees to England, but in the book he remains to defend his Island colleagues from serious German retaliation --being a direct result of the part he played in the military operation-- If this film was made during the War years you would say it's home spun propaganda, but this is six years on, in 1951. What were they thinking...? George Coulouris' German officer is treated rather humanely, given he disciplines his men for any mistreatment of the Island inhabitants. Some of the incidents portrayed too lightly, involve the 'cow' of the title, these tend to be given over to stretched situations. The end is simply tacked on as a British moral booster. Could have been very good, as is, it's good to look at, entertaining, and should please as a rainy day time passer that looks back at some resent history. The Masterpiece Collection DVD I looked at, is basic, but offers good quality image and sound for it's modest price.

Paularoc The British garrison has been evacuated from the Channel Islands and soon after the Germans occupy the islands. The British send a very small expedition force to attempt to transport back to Britain a prize Guernsey cow named Venus. The Nazi commandant of the island recognizes the breeding value of this cow makes plans to have her shipped to Germany. The key members of the rescue team are Glynis Johns and David Niven - two actors who never disappoint. The commandant is a sympathetic character who treats the islanders with great respect. It's all rather bucolic and pleasant with just one nasty Nazi soldier who provides the tension to the story. It's a charming and engaging movie set in a fascinating locale and a reminder of a perhaps little remembered fact of this German occupation. The print I saw of this was great and I'll be watching this movie again.

mark.waltz The Nazi's have taken over the Channel Islands, and they are after the native's prized cow, Venus. The islanders, determined to prevent this, gather together to foil them, and utilize every means necessary to stop them. What this is really telling us is that what may seem silly to us on the surface is really much more important than it seems. Venus, expected to give birth any day, and the islanders utilize British intelligence (lead by David Niven) to get Venus out of the country before she is given into the Nazi's hands. Glynis Johns ("Mary Poppins") plays a native of the Channel Islands, the sister of a controversial artist, who returns to her home not only to rescue Venus but get her brother out of there as well. This light-hearted drama reminds us that what is sometimes taken for granted or seems inconsequential can really make the difference when an innocent land is pummeled into war and taken over by a nasty force such as Nazi Germany. There is a revealing scene about the German Officer who disciplines one of his soldiers for cruelty, slapping him then telling him that he is one of the reasons why the world hates the Germans. They don't sugarcoat this officer; he is still determined to do his job, yet he shows a softness that is sometimes missing from portrayals of a people who were not all stereotypically hard-nosed or evil.

bob the moo With little way of defending it and few valuable resources to protect, the UK allows the German army to invade Channel Islands while the residents decide on a peaceful acceptance including non-violence resistance. However the Ministry of Agriculture is quick to point out that this means the Germans will have possession of one of Britain's finest cows, Venus, who also happens to pregnant with a calf. With the issue raised, the War Office dispatches Major Valentine Moreland to liberate the cow and return her to the safety and honest green grass of British-held territory.Despite the fairly ordinary sounding title, this film has a premise that makes it sound like it can only be a funny little comedy that has plenty of light British wit. However the film is nothing of the sort and, while being a bit of a flop, it is also a rather strange beast that can't seem to settle into any one thing comfortably. After a bit of a comic tone that seems to be putting the tongue in the cheek we then suddenly get serious with more of a dramatic approach. The drama is never thrilling and it is all a bit silly and thus prevented me really getting into it – daring do in war movies is all well and good but much more important things really happened than this fictional case. Now I'm not sure about the true history regarding the Channel Islands but it might be a touchy issue over how little resistance was given up – hence we have the film making very deliberate points about how dignified and upright the residents are. Strangely the film also takes care to avoid painting all Germans as evil and the commander is quite a decent farmer – maybe not that surprising considering it was made in the 50's but still strange to see in an old war movie.Niven is not that well known for this film and it is easy to see why as he does appear to be freewheeling in it. His presence is always appreciated but it is hard to watch this and not think of many stronger war films where he worked much better. Likewise Kenneth Moore is a strange find and he has very little to do. Johns is dull, Coulouris is far too careful and upright and the rest of the support cast just kind of do the basics without any feeling – Purcell being the only one to really add colour in an easy role.Overall this is a mixed film that doesn't really do anything well as it isn't funny, dramatic, involving, interesting or exciting. The story will mean it sticks in my mind but other than that there is nothing special or memorable here.