Carve Her Name with Pride (1958)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

Good concept, poorly executed.

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

First, truth in advertising...this is actually the hubby of the family.Second, I knew absolutely nothing about this movie before I picked it out of the Amazon Instant Video queue...and it was free, to boot. But, it would have been well worth it had there been a charge. Third, THIS IS AN AWESOME MOVIE! It is a smarmy, patriotic, romantic, hero-worshiping (heroine-worshiping?)and completely AWESOME movie. If they let me, I'd give this movie a 15 out of 10!I can't imagine why the various women's groups don't have this flick on all of their "must-see movie" lists...but they really should. And this is a gent speaking. "Women's Lib" didn't start in the 1960s.Why the heck can't Hollywood make great, inspiring movies like this one, anymore? I think if you invest two hours of your life in this particular movie, you'll consider it time well-spent. You'll also gain insights into the risks...and prices paid...of some unique and brave men and women during World War 2. I recommend completely and without reservation.

This film is all pleasure. The story is well told and has good casting with many famous British actors. I enjoyed this film many years ago and the latest DVD release with Virgina McKenna and John Shirley giving a commentary adds a lot of viewing pleasure. There is comedy, tragedy and a whole host of facts presented in this film of the womens SOE during war time. The public at the time of the film release must have been very interested in SOE and now at this time there is a renewed interest. Virginia McKenn got a BAFTA nomination for Best British Actress in 1959, and this was well deserved. The music is also an important part of the film and is composed by William Alwyn and Alec Wilder.

The story of Violette Szabo is told in an unfussy low key way. This film has the feeling of authenticity in the way that after Etienne her husband was killed in the war , Violette was recruited into the S.O.E. You can imagine how this subject would be filmed today whereas Lewis Gilbert makes her genuinely heroic life low key and truthful.There are two scenes in this film that for me have great power -- the first is when she is urged to go back to France on her second 'job'; she is persuaded by one of the service personnel not to go and yet Violette goes against this and shows extreme courage in not only accepting but going through with the assignment,she is supported immediately in her choice.The other scene is more obvious though no less powerful where her interrogator in Foches where Gilbert has the camera on his reaction to her treatment by the gestapo.By doing this the film tells the facts without resorting to 'drama'. She really was the most courageous of human beings.

British Director Lewis Gilbert is unknown to most Americans. This is a pity because he has directed a number of "crossover" masterpieces and this true story of wartime heroism is but one of them. The movie reminds me somewhat of The Man Who Never Was, a spy movie which required a woman who had been through a recent tragedy, marvelously played by Gloria Grahame, to use that tragedy to make herself a believable spy. Although she has excellent support by a young Paul Scofield and a non-too-shabby veteran cast, Virginia McKenna must pull off the central character, Violetta Szabo, in order for the film to succeed. She does so without question,and then some. If this movie does not bring tears to your eyes, no movie will.