VHS : The Bells Go Down [1943]

Rating: - A fine record of the London Blitz
I first watched this film many years ago,and enjoyed it very much,which is why I bought the video,but I had forgotten just how much the spectacular scenes of the burning buildings,and the dangers of fighting multiple fires during the Blitz could make you feel that you were there with them.James Mason,Finlay Currie, and Tommy Trinder take the main parts in the story,with sub-plots concerning the other characters,with Mervyn Johns,perfect as the local spiv and William Hartnell(Dr Who)sharing his knowledge with his colleagues of the bombing in the Spanish Civil War.It can be a bit wearing with the constant wisecracking of Tommy Trinder in the beginning,but as the film progresses he changes into the perfect fire fighter,much to James Mason(his team leader's approval)and Finlay Currie,the chief of the London Fire Brigade.There is sadness at the end of the film,but also immense pride,which must have struck a chord in the audiences watching this film.It is a fine social record of its time.