Loyalties

This film was shown yesterday at the NFT as part of the UK Jewish film festival.It is based on a 1922 play by Galsworthy.Two of the original cast members are in the film,one of them being the solicitor.There are a lot of familiar faces in the film.Including Felix Aylmer,playing of course a Judge and Alan Napier and Miles Mander who were both to go on to successful careers in Hollywood.The basic theme is anti semitism of the upper class.It is thus a very unusual film for its time.Given that this was a topic that was not addressed in Hollywood till 1947 in "Gentlemans Agreement".In fact the only other film that i can think of in this period is "Jew Suss" which was produced at Gaumont British in 1934.Of course the censor made life difficult by preventing any films critical of Germany eg "Pastor Hall" being produced till war was declared. This is a very powerful and moving film with a fine performance by Basil Rathbone.It is a shame that there was no Jewish actor at the time of sufficient stature to take the part.If made in America it would have been ideal for Paul Muni. The ending is a bit melodramatic but the last shot in the film is both haunting and poignant given the events of the Holocaust.this film is well worth viewing.It can be currently seen at the BFI South Bank mediatheque.