So Well Remembered (1947)

Thanks for the memories!

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Produced and directed by two of the Hollywood Ten, with a score by Brecht's regular collaborator Hanns Eisler, one might have expected something juicier, but 'So Well Remembered' lives up to its rather twee title by serving up soap opera rather than agit-prop. Nevertheless, it's one of a number of politically engaged films at that time to reflect the new broom sweeping British politics during the premiership of Clement Attlee.Based on a 1945 novel by James Hilton (who also narrates), it compares interestingly with the Boulting Brothers' adaptation of Howard Spring's 'Fame is the Spur', released a couple of months later, in which as Hamer Shawcross, Michael Redgrave as the film progresses is made up more and more to resemble Ramsey MacDonald as he ditches his early revolutionary principles to rise to the top. George Boswell (played John Mills) by comparison, despite pressure from his self-centred, patrician wife, remains true to his youthful idealism, resigns from his parliamentary seat and is content to settle for becoming Mayor of the fictional Lancashire mill town of Browdley (actually shot in Macclesfield).The film's cynicism about the compromises required to get on in Westminster are sadly as relevant today as ever; as is attested to by the public support Tony Blair's New Labour received from lifelong Tory voter John Mills in the 2001 General Election.

What an interesting film in a number of ways. Author James Hilton narrated! It was filmed in location in England, giving the viewer a really good sense of what England looked like at the end of WWII. And, the film disappeared and was thought lost until 2004 when a full print (in good condition) was found in Tennessee! The opening of the film is put in a very nice historical perspective with some interesting photography.As WWII closes, the mayor, newspaper editor, and reformer (John Mills) looks back on his years of knowing, marrying, and divorcing Martha Scott. It begins with him defending her when she applies for the job of assistant library job; many won't consider it because her father had owned the huge mill works there and had gone to prison for years for speculating with the money of the locals. Soon, however, Mills falls in love with her and proposes on the very night that her father is killed when he is being driven into town by the local doctor (Trevor Howard) and the washed-out road reaches out and drags the car down into the river during a heavy storm (keep that in mind). Olivia then agrees to marry George.Once married, Scott pushes her husband to run for Parliament, but an epidemic of diphtheria in the town's filthy slums sidelines him...and takes their own son's life when mother fails to have him inoculated in a mere public clinic. Scott ends the marriage, remarries to a rich man and has another son, (Richard Carlson), who is badly scarred in the war. In the hospital, his mother latches on to him in a predatory way, at first stymieing a relationship between the son and the foster daughter of the village doctor. Meanwhile, Scott has returned to the family mansion and reopened the dangerous and dilapidated mill. Mills intervenes and helps the young couple marry, and only then learns that Scott knew the road had washed out and that her father was likely to be killed using the road, but intentionally did not warn him...thus, murder.And that last factor is the only part of the movie which I felt was handled poorly. Yes, the viewer knew that Scott had just used the road, but it could have washed out after she used it, and so (at least to me) it came as a bit too much of a plot twist, which could have been resolved by simply giving us a couple of clues.John Mills is excellent here. His co-star, Martha Scott is, as well, but the role of such a controlling, domineering, ...well, you know the word, leveled her to being totally unlikable in this film. In a sense, a rather courageous choice of a role to take. For the first part of the film I kept thinking what a good role this would have been for Greer Garson, but of course, Garson would have never taken a role that was so totally unlikable. Richard Carlson plays the injured son perfectly. Trevor Howard had the only role (of the doctor), which I felt was NOT played well. One of the best performances, though the character's death early in the film made it short, was that of Frederick Leister as Scott's father, who played a broken man after his many years in prison.Oh, and BTW, this is one of those films where the leading man slaps the leading lady...twice...and deservedly so, although when the scene where it happens begins, the viewer will assume it will be the other way around.This is an excellent film...and I say that as a person who is not very fond of British cinema.

First of all let me tell you that the copy I watched on video is produced by Hectic House Records and sold in the town of Macclesfield, England, - the location at which the movie was shot. Bear in mind that this film has recently been re-discovered, owned by a private collector. The production is in Sepia (that sort of brownish/greenish effect that is neither colour or black and white). The quality of sound is absolutely appalling. Even using a high quality video/TV/separate powered speakers a lot of patience and forgiveness is required by the viewer.Now on to the movie. What can I say? It is an absolute gem. John Mills' portrayal of George Boswell is almost reminiscent of his performance as Willy Mossop in "Hobson's Choice" (although dare I say even better). Trevor Howard once again plays a doctor (recalling "Brief Encounter"), except this time a sullen, often drunken character; but nevertheless a highly moralistic and commendable Dr. Richard Whiteside. Martha Scott's performance as Olivia Channing reminds males of all ages how it is always possible for a weeping, vulnerable pretty young woman can be a devil in disguise! Great performances from the rest of the cast, including a 'natural' performance from Hayley Mills as baby Julie.Macclesfield as a Town has changed considerably since 1947; in fact it's one of the wealthiest areas of the whole of the UK in 2004. But scenes in "So Well Remembered" do remain recognisable.This movie deserves a complete make-over as it is so outstandingly good.

One man's quest to change the environment of the slum he grew up in, against all odds. Unthinkably, the woman he used to love becomes an almost insurmountable obstacle. A great film with plenty of great characters carefully and skillfully intertwined to tell a powerful story. Not so predictable you'll be bored, and great settings in spite of being shot in B&W. Try it. You'll like it.