Nelson Strang Classic Poliakoff - VERY slow and ponderous, Political with a capital P, and yet strangely watchable. At times it feels more low-rent psychological thriller than period drama and it has a seriously clunky ending with some really terrible acting, but otherwise there are some good bits. It evokes the chilling atmosphere of unease of "The Phoney War" very well.

TweetyonIMDB I struggled with finding a reason that this film is so flat - and now believe it is Stephen Poliakoff. Replace his script and direction, then this film should triumph, because I couldn't fault the cast, the scenery, the musical score or the concept. Read the reviews by zombequin and Burgess-Hulme, and you have the detailed analyses with which I concur. I can only imagine the film in the hands of Hitchcock or Spielberg; what a difference that would have made. It's worth a watch, if only to see your favourite actors, but definitely no encore!

Leofwine_draca GLORIOUS 39 is an attempt to make a film in the same vein as GOSFORD PARK and REMAINS OF THE DAY, adding in a tacked-on mystery thriller plot as per the 1930s political situation. From the first scene you know this has an exemplary cast, with the likes of Eddie Redmayne, Jeremy Northam, and Charlie Cox all appearing in solid roles. Romola Garai has always been a good fit for period drama - like the excellent BBC TV series THE HOUR - and she's fine here, apart from at the climax in which she's asked to go way over the top and becomes embarrassing as a result. A shame, then, that the writing is so sloppy, offering up one dull character after another and nobody to like. The plot twists and turns are routine, and the old-timers like Bill Nighy and Julie Christie show up and do nothing. The less said about David Tennant the better, but at least he doesn't get much screen time. Christopher Lee is a welcome presence, but he gets even less.

goodone49 This was an absolutely phenomenal movie! Outstanding plot, acting, and scenery. I was completely riveted and left guessing at every turn! I should also mention that I don't ever like thrillers due to too much sex and violence. While this film had some sexual scenes and involved some death, neither were gratuitous nor gory. The whole movie was so well done, and the lead actress is truly stunning. Everything was so believable that every scene was palpable. I can't say enough about how much I *loved* this movie! You've got to see this movie, especially if you like WWII era films, but even if you don't, trust me, you will still love this movie.