by Ted Davis

Directed by: Carol Reed

Synopsis: Well-crafted WWII propaganda set during the late 18th-early 19th century with Robert Donat in the title role of William Pitt the Younger in this episodic (and just a little dull) survey of Pitt’s professional life as Prime Minister of England, concentrating on the conflict with Napoleon Bonaparte as played by Herbert Lom. (Audiences of the time were meant to read Bonaparte as Hitler.) Unfortunately, though Pitt was arguably the greatest PM ever to serve his country, his was not a very interesting personality, no matter how hard the writers and director work to convince us otherwise.

Purr Blur: As the town crier delivers the news that it’s 3 o’clock in the morning and all is well, a street cat skitters through the railings of the square and vanishes from sight.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Pitt emerges from the rain into 10 Downing Street and walks down the front hall while conversing with Mrs. Sparry (Jean Cadell), aka Nanny, who takes his cloak, then enters the library to discuss important world events with Lord Grenville (Alfred Sangster). A jaded, and unbelievably calm, gray and white cat is lying on the hall carpet runner as Pitt passes by and he barely registers the great man’s presence.

Even when Pitt, Nanny and Lord Grenville are literally standing right on top of the cat, the kitty is still sitting in the same spot as they all move away.

Final Mewsings: Cats have the luxury to ignore politicians.

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