MovieChat Forums > Mrs. Miniver (1942) Discussion > Scene I Never Noticed Before

Scene I Never Noticed Before

posted 17 years ago by ububub
3 replies | jump to latest

Vin goes upstairs to get his bag to go back to the aerodrome leaving his mother and fiance sitting in silence. The point of view is of the backs of the two women looking up the stairs. You can see from their body language that they are devastated at the possibility of his not returning. Then when they hear the sound of the door opening and knowing he would be coming down the stairs, they both steel themselves in an almost imperceptive way so he won't pick up on their worry - all from the back. Willie Wyler did a good job there.

[–] basford 17 years ago

I haven't noticed that bit but I can believe it was there. Wyler did a very good job with this film, it is very powerful. I thought it was overated when I first saw it but I do like it now, there are several irritating flaws in it but I do overlook these and find myself able to enjoy it, and I can just imagine how it would have boosted the morale of the British at the time. Greer Garson's performance is exceptional in this film, and I love Teresa Wright's sensitive performance as Carol but it's Henry Wilconxon's powerful speech at the end, then the church singing 'Onward Christian Soldiers', and then 'Land of Hope and Glory' being played with the closing credits that steals the whole film for me.

I'm not a great Englishman - Charles Dickens, Laurence Olivier and William Shakespeare were great Englishmen!

[–] stargazer1701-1 15 years ago

I caught that precise moment when Vin ran upstairs leaving Mrs Miniver and Carol downstairs. The two women were looking up at the ceiling with desperate saddened expressions in their eyes as though they were praying. It was a beautiful portrait of the two women and could have made a wonderful movie poster, or an illustration by Norman Rockwell. You could sense the fear in them as they plunged into an uncertain and unexpected future. The bond between Mrs Miniver and Carol was powerful in the film. I felt the impact of the loss when Carol died in the arms of her mother-in-law.

Smoke me a kipper. I’ll be back for breakfast

[–] raketex 14 years ago

"they both steel themselves in an almost imperceptive way so he won't pick up on their worry - all from the back. Willie Wyler did a good job there."

Plus how Wyler lingers on that scene for a few extra beats - more than you normally would for just a perspective-setting shot. Those extra beats and the silence really make you notice the body language detail.

And then cut to the shot from the front, showing the women's faces. I couldn't help noticing how Greer's face seemed to just-so-imperceptibly seemed to become more resolute, and as you say, steeling herself for what might actually be her son's fate this coming night.

Beautiful piece of directing and acting!