The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943)

 Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger's "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp"

Often considered the greatest British film ever made, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp" was a bit more hardy than the typical wartime production out of the United Kingdom in the early 1940s. At the time, many propaganda films were instilling a sense of unity against the Nazis. However, "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp" took a radically different approach to this ongoing feud with the Germans and many in the UK felt the film was a danger to public morale because of that. 

Through the biographical nature of the film, centering on the life of the fictional Clive Wynne-Candy (not Colonel Blimp), the film is also able to tell the history of England in the 20th century. Clive Wynne-Candy, who rose to the rank of Major-General in the British Army, began his career in the Second Boer War. In 1902, while in Berlin, he inadvertently insults a member of the Imperial German Army. This leads to a duel between him and a man named Theo Kretschmar-Schuldorff. After hurting each other in combat, the two eventually become friends. In 1918, during the first World War, now a brigadier general, Clive believes the Allies won due to their gentlemanly nature of warfare. After tracking down Theo, he invites him to have dinner with him and fellow army commanders. Theo is skeptical, in front of the British commanders, that his country will be treated fairly by the Allies. Despite his being right (which caused the Nazi uprising), Theo feels Germany to become a British citizen. Theo helps Clive in his later years come to terms with his old age and his disconnect from the current temperament to contemporary war as World War II is breaking out.

The title of the film, "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp" was taken from a popular newspaper comic strip by David Low. However, there is no such character in the film itself. Colonel Blimp was used in the title but his character was changed to Clive Wynne-Candy. In fact, the film doesn't end in Candy's death, so the title of the film is completely nonsensical when compared to the context of the actual film itself.  

Before the film was even completed, Prime Minister Winston Churchill wanted production stopped. He even wrote to the Minister of Information asking if there was anything he could do, to which he responded "no," essentially. Churchill had not read a draft of the film, nor seen any of it, but had only heard about the nature of the film from a staff member. It is unclear why Churchill wanted production stopped, but many believe the resemblance to the Candy character is what concerned him. After all, the Candy character had also served in the Boer War and the First World War, which mirrored Churchill. Perhaps Churchill was also familiar with the Colonel Blimp comic strip character, who was represented as a pompous, irascible and jingoist. Perhaps Churchill felt such a critical view of Britain was unwarranted in a time of war defense. Either way, Churchill was unsuccessful in stopping the production. 

What is incredibly notable about the film itself is its complex view of England and its relationship to Germany. Many people have noted that the film seems to exemplify the conditions with which the English consider themselves 'English.' Stephen Fry, upon seeing the film, commented that the film is addressing "what it means to be English." He also praised the film for taking a "longer view of history" in 1943. Through our protagonist, we see the exemplified Englishman, demonstrating the full stature of a British gentleman. He represents the British nation, he fights against the Boers who are resisting British influence in their country and fighting the Germans who are rivaling British military capabilities. While not fighting on behalf of British colonialism, he is an active hunter and stakes his colonial rights over the animal kingdom as well. Despite being a 'gentleman' of respectability and wages war with 'honor' and 'plays by the rules of war,' he represents the opposing might of England and their oppressive and pompous authority. 

In fact, the most empathetic character in the film is not Candy, but the German officer Schuldorff. It is understandable that British ministries and war offices disapproved of the film due to the sympathetic way in which a German officer is being portrayed, even one that fled Germany to get away from the Nazis. However, Schuldorff is admirable in every degree and offers a counter view of British power. And no, it is not sympathizing with Nazism or the Nazis. The attribution of this character in the story is simply a viewpoint of Germany and the reasons for their contention with British from back in the early 20th century. As we see from Schuldorff, he is a patriot and a lover of his country. We also see the perspective that not many British got to see at the time, that of British putting their heel on Germany's boot and sowing the very seeds of contention and rebellion that would eventually make way for the Nazi party. The film in no way sympathizes with the Nazis, but it does seem to demonstrate the complexity of England's hand at feeding this conflict and laying the groundwork for such a party to evolve. 

However, despite my observations about the criticism of England, the film isn't a complete disavow of England and British culture. There is still a sense of pride and patriotism in the film, as well as complex cultural questions. The character of Candy is still an honorable and lovable man, full of joy and integrity and demonstrating some of the best values of British culture. All of this to say is that the film views its own country and its people with a far more complex understanding that a black and white viewpoint (much to the dismay of those who needed black and white films to issue out pro-Allied propaganda). It is a film that reflects on England and its history, as well as taking a look at the current predicament. There are many elements, however, of the film that come to the forefront that issue a sense of propaganda messaging, like the notion that the 'gentlemanly warfare' that Candy abides by is now fully outdates, as the enemy has evolved into something much more in need of aggression. The film is also, as Michael Powell reflected, "a symbol of British procrastination and British regard for tradition and all the things which we know are losing the war." 

Beyond all the British elements, the film is also simply about the changing of time. As we move through the life of Colonel Candy, we too become aware of all the ways in which the vigorous spirit of youth transforms into an outdated model of contemporary understanding in a new world. Times change and things evolve, people die, and ways of being simply can't sustain you anymore. It's a film that details the human story, one of love, courage, evolution of the individual, and evolution of the collective around you. "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp" is a big, grand film full of complex issues involving country and self. It perhaps is one of the greatest British films ever made.