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Poster for The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

Seen it?

1943 | 163 min | War, Drama, Romance

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

Critics loved it (97% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest, despite a box office loss. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
If you count yourself among fans of prison dramas and anyone interested in what war does to people, this one's for you. The walls close in, and so does the tension. Liked The Great Escape or All Quiet on the Western Front? This is a good next one. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Intense, warm and romantic.
The pace
Unhurried and epic, at 2 hr 43 min.
What might put you off
  • It's long: 2 hr 43 min.
  • Made in 1943: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
  • Not the one if you want explosions or easy laughs.

General Candy, who's overseeing an English squad in 1943, is a veteran leader who doesn't have the respect of the men he's training and is considered out-of-touch with what's needed to win the war. But it wasn't always this way. Flashing back to his early career in the Boer War and World War I, we see a dashing young officer whose life has been shaped by three different women, and by a lasting friendship with a German soldier.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    97% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    Our audience score: 68%

  • AwardsBelow par

    1 win and 0 nominations from smaller awards and festivals

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $275K worldwide on a $2 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 121K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell

  • Roger LiveseyMajor General Clive Wynne-Candy
  • Deborah KerrEdith Hunter / Barbara Wynne / Angela "Johnny" Cannon
  • Anton WalbrookTheo Kretschmar-Schuldorff
  • Roland CulverCol. Betteridge
  • James McKechnieSpud Wilson
  • Arthur WontnerEmbassy Counsellor
  • David HutchesonHoppy
  • Ursula JeansFrau von Kalteneck
  • John LaurieMurdoch
  • Harry WelchmanMajor Davies