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"The Malta Story is well worth watching, for it provides the viewer with a good, overall history lesson of the battle for Malta. That the British were able to hold off a German invasion on this small, isolated island testifies to the strong spirit shown by Great Britain throughout World War Two. In some ways, it reminds me of the battle for Corregidor, which was actually taking place during the same time. Of course, the circumstances and outcomes were different in both battles. By watching this movie, the viewer comes away with an appreciation for the sacrifices and casualties endured by British soldiers and sailors, in addition to many Maltese civilian deaths. One interesting aspect about the battle for Malta is that it was one of the first times in the war that the United States used an aircraft carrier - the USS Wasp ferried RAF spitfires from Britain to Malta. These aircraft were vital for the island's defense. The movie honors the United States for the use of the Wasp with a fitting performance of the Star-Spangled Banner.Alec Guinness does a good job portraying an RAF photo-reconnaissance pilot. His character is warm and sincere. The other British characters are quintessentially British, stiff upper lip and all. The woman who plays Guinness' love interest also gives a good performance. She was quite beautiful and rather charming.The action scenes are fun to watch, and are quite good for a 1953 film. All in all, The Malta Story is a good war movie that showcases an important part of World War Two history. I highly recommend it."
It really captures the atmosphere of the war era!
Dimitrios | Greece | 12/12/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Some may think that old war movies can not be compared with the modern ones because of the lack of super high-tech effects and millions of dollars which current productions have in ambudance. Although it is true that no old movie can give you the terrific visual effects of "Saving Private Ryan" they do have some advantages, especially when the theme is about World War II. First of all, they were closer to the real time of the war, thus the heroes, the faces, the mentality, the materials, the surroundings and even the language are much more realistic than any modern director could ever hope for. "The Malta Story" belongs to this category of excellent old British war films, picturing the drama of the besieged Malta in 1942, through the story of a young RAF reconnaissance pilot strandled on the island. There are fine scenes of air battle, of the terrible bombardment by the Luftwaffe and the convoys' desperate efforts to reach the island. The story of tanker "Ohio" of the "Pedestal" convoy is especially well presented. Those old days the director had numerous authentic Spitfire aircraft at his disposal and he used them in a marvellous way!"
The Last Great War story of the British Empire
D. D Lawson | Pasadena, Calif. USA | 04/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What more could a man ask for in a War Film? What with the following: A small strategic island that lays in the way of the enemies supply line. A ruthless, cunning enemy doing its best to put it out of the fight. The British loyally doing their best to supply the heroic Maltese with huge losses of men and ships in the process. (We even helped out with the loan of the Aircraft Carrier Wasp to deliver some much needed replacement Spitfires.)
A good love story and some really strong actors who seem to be at their best. That and for the time some very good special effects with a ending you don't expect.Altogether a tape that is well worth the coin. I just hope that the DVD comes out soon!"
Tallyho! Surprisingly good air war movie. Good Spitfires!
Dan Cox | Visalia, California United States | 04/04/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Really nice story. Great combat footage and other new footage I have never seen anywhere else. Matter of fact I have never seen any of this footage before. Aircraft buffs should like it :) This is really a step above the majority of old war films."
Heroism without hysteria
F. J. Harvey | Birmingham England | 12/13/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Malta is known as "the George Cross island ",the George Cross being the highest award for bravery by civilians within the British Commonwealth .The island was rewarded for its collective heroism in World War Two when it staunchly resisted the efforts of the Germans to bomb it into submission and occupy the island .This movie recreates the assault and siege in a quiet, restrained and dignified manner.It is a clear eyed unsentimental movie that ,being shot on Malta itself,brings fully to life the hot,rocky and beautuful island that has so often been the crossroads of conflict .
The main character is "Ross"(Alec Guinness) an air reconnaisance officer/photographer forced to land on Malta and bearing witness to and becoming involved in the attempts of the islanders and the British forces to repel a German invasion .the movie cuts between the civilians involved and the British military personnel ,in particular the Air commanding Officer ,played with customary skill by Jack Hawkins ,and the naval commander Banks (an excellent performance by the under-rated Ralph Truman).Nor does it neglect to pay due tribute to US assistance in the form of the carrier Wasp ,which brought much needed Spitfires at a crucial time .
Yet what one will most remember from the movie is the heroism of the civilian population -the quiet grave faces of the islanders as they endure privation and demonstrate resolve and fortitude .There is one particularly fine scene of children quietly playing in the street as the air raid sirens sound and a raid takes place.
Guinness is not at his absolute best and acting honours go to Dame Flora Robson as a Maltese mother whose children experience the contrasting fortunes of war ,and to Muriel Pavlow as a Maltese woamn with whom Guinness falls in love
Well directed by Brian Desmond-Hurst and shot in crisp monochrome this is a quietly compelling study in heroism ,civilain and miltary ,and reminds us that freedom has a high price sometimes -a message lost on the simpering jellyfish operating under the degraded name of liberalism"