The Purple Plain *** (1954, Gregory Peck, Bernard Lee, Win Min Than, Maurice Denham, Lyndon Brook) – Classic Movie Review 6349

Director Robert Parrish’s fine, distinguished 1954 British wartime adventure drama stars Gregory Peck as Squadron Leader Bill Forrester, a Canadian bomber pilot who is reckless after losing his bride in a Luftwaffe air raid. He takes up duty with his squadron in World War Two Burma, where he crashes in the jungle.

However, he recovers his bravado and will to live as he fights his way back to civilisation with his neurotic fellow refugee camper Blore (Maurice Denham) and injured new navigator Carrington (Lyndon Brook).

Parrish directs a potent if familiar story of suspense and emotion with the help of strong acting and a very useful screenplay by the talented Eric Ambler from H E Bates’s novel.

It was nominated for four BAFTA Film Awards: Best Film from any Source, Best British Film, Best British Screenplay and Best British Actor (Maurice Denham).

Also in the cast are Win Min Than as alluring young Burmese woman Anna, Brenda de Banzie as Miss McNab, Bernard Lee as Dr Harris, Anthony Bushell as Group Captain Aldridge, Ram Gopal, Josephine Griffin, Peter Arne, Dorothy Alison, Jack McNaughton, Harold Siddons, Mya Spencer and Lane Meddick.

It is shot in Technicolor by Geoffrey Unsworth, produced by John Bryan, scored by John Veale and designed by Jack Maxted.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6349

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