An Ungentlemanly Act
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Ian McNeice, Ian Richardson, Rosemary LeachDVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 119 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-01-25
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Bfs Entertainment
Movie Reviews of An Ungentlemanly Act
Movie Review: 25th Anniversary of the Falklands War
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great film to see on the 25th Anniversary of the Falklands conflict. A very British film, a lot of the details may at first be unclear to American viewers. The film chronicles the hectic moments leading up to the illegal Argentine Invasion of the islands in April 1982.
Fans of Ian Richardson will love him in the role of Rex Hunt, the fussy British governor of the Island. The film is very much seen from his perspective. Both the absurdity and absolute confusion on the eve of the Argie invasion is conveyed very well. Hunt was given only very basic information from the British Foriegn Office concerning Argtentine actions. He is left on his own to piece things together while trying to stay within the rules of diplomatic formality. In the end he is left with little choice but to piece together a scratch defence with a weak company of Royal Marines.
The film shows how the British tried to stage a symbolic defence. Hunt opts to concentrate his meager forces around government house, thus sparing the inhabitants the ordeal of a house to house battle in Port Stanley. With the limited resources at hand, the Royal Marines none the less put up a stout little defence of the island. Contrast this with the US Marines at Teheran who surrendered without a fight in the Iran hostage crisis just a few years before.
The film really keeps the viewer in suspense as to what will actually happen. The invasion comes across as a confused, almost comical affair for both sides. The ensueing firefight at Government House is extremely well done. Both sides actually did fire a lot of rounds ineffectively at each other. Those viewers use to seeing bullets and bodies will be surprised here. I suspect this is how most firefights at night appear, and the film really does a superb job at conveying this.
This is one of the few films available in the US about this conflict. It won't give you the complete story of course, but it will stimulate your interest to find out more. Fans of Ian Richardson will love him in this role, and the film has all the absurd qualities of a classic British film. An Ungentlemanly Act deserves greater noteriety for sure, and what better way to mark the 25th Anniversary of this fascinatingly absurd little war. The DVD features some minor extras to round out the package.
Summary of An Ungentlemanly Act
In the tiny Falkland Islands, April 1, 1982 started normally enough, but before midnight, an old conflict had exploded and enemy soldiers were creeping ashore.This award winning drama takes a wry look at the first hours of the Falklands War. Ian Richardson (From Hell, House of Cards) is Sir Rex Hunt, unflappable governor of the islands, determined to defend his office ? and send his flustered wife (Rosemary Leach - A Room with a View) off to safety (with a bottle). Bob Peck (Jurassic Park, Edge of Darkness) is Major Mike Norman, who faces the Argentinean invaders with a handful of gutsy Royal Marines.
Filmed in the Falklands, this extraordinary drama captures the courage (and absurd black humour) that occurs when a small corner of the world suddenly becomes a battlefield.
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