The Big Blockade (1942) starring Leslie Banks, Michael Redgrave, Will Hay, John Mills, Robert Morley, Bernard Miles, Michael Rennie directed by Charles Frend Movie Review

The Big Blockade (1942)   2/52/52/52/52/5


Robert Morley in The Big Blockade (1942)

The Big Propaganda Movie

As a fan of British cinema I have watched numerous war movies which were made as part of the propaganda effort some more subtle than others. When it comes to "The Big Blockade" this has to be one of the least subtle propaganda movies I have come across which in truth feels less like a movie but more like a fictionalized documentary about the war effort to force the enemy to use resources in other places than the front line. Basically "The Big Blockade" is a movie which tries to educate the audience at the time that war was not just about killing the enemy but causing them chaos by destroying supply lines and blowing up factories.

Now it is hard to believe when you watch "The Big Blockade" now that movies such this were once popular but back in 1942 when this was released these were the sort of patriotic movies which not only audiences wanted but the Government wanted people to see. It features numerous well known faces such as Michael Redgrave, Robert Morley, John Mills and Leslie Banks in a variety of roles from patriotic Brits to over the top Germans. And it hammers across its message in every scene be it making German's too appear as fools or highlighting the war effort to destroy German supply chains.

But that is about it as whilst we meet a variety of characters from pilots to naval officers as well as civilians there is very little in the form of storyline or depth. And as such when you watch "The Big Blockade" now it all seems a bit of a joke, in fact you half wonder what this would have been like if the likes of Mel Brooks had decided to make it because it seems the perfect basis for a daft comedy full of caricatures.

What this all boils down to is that "The Big Blockade" is the most blatant propaganda movie I have watched and even when you try to accept this is a product of a bygone era when things were very different it does still seem quite ridiculous.


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