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MOVIE SUPPLEMENT
"For Freedom"
Shows Sea Might
WITH the glorious exploits of the British Navy
resounding throughout the world there could
be no more timely moment for the presentation of
the Gaumont-British Dominions release, "For
Freedom."
Because of its topical interest this production which
was filmed with the co-operation of the British
Admiralty and in a minimum of time, has been rushed
to Australia by air mail for immediate screening.
Amongst its many outstanding feat-
ures are thrilling reconstructions of
the River Plate Battle, and the
rescue of the Altmark prisoners with
the actual officers and men who took
part in those naval engagements, re-
enacting their own experiences.
The history of "For Freedom's"
production and the lucky breaks
which attended its filming, make a
story almost as enthralling as the
film itself.
- Sitting- in -the Gaumont-British
Newsreel's private theatrette late last
December, editor - Castleton Knight
watched on the screen, the scuttled
sinking Graf Spee. There and then
was born the idea of "For Freedom."
Knight lost no time in setting his
plan before C. M. Woolf, one of Brit-
ain's most astute film producers, who
readily agreed that the idea promised
something really excellent in screen
entertainment.
The co-operation of the Admiral-
ty was obtained and wheels immed-
iately set in motion for its produc-
tion.
Knight wrote an outline of the story
for scenarist Leslie Arliss. Miles Mal-
leson was engaged to write the dia-
logue and Maurice Elvey to direct.
In a few weeks the picture went into
production at the Gainsborough Stu-
dios Shepherds' Bush.
Will Fyffe was engaged to play the
role of a newsreel editor, who sets
out to produce a feature picture re-
telling, the march of international
events over the last twenty-five years.
It takes the audience right behind
the scenes of newsreel making and
its attendant hazards.
In producing "For Freedom"
Castleton Knight and Maurice Elvey.
who co-directed, have carefully
avoided any tendency to propa-
ganda.
SWEEPING REVIEW
In its sweeping review of current
events. Winston Churchill, Mr. Cham-
berlain, the Kaiser. Hitler, Lord Haw
Haw and many other world figures all
have their parts. International events
and the two naval engagements have
been presented with absolute authen-
ticity and attention to detail.
The whole is a very courageous and
commendable effort to present the
Empire's war effort in the form of
popular, topical and widely acceptable
screen entertainment, as palatable to
neutral countries as to Britain and
her Allies.
Of local interest to Austral-
lians is the fact that one of
the commentators in this film
is Vice Admiral J. E. T. Har-
per, C.B., M.V.O.* (Retd.),
a New Zealander who served in
the Navy during the last war
and is now retired.
He is a distinguished naval his-
torian and compiled the official record
of the Battle of Jutland. He was the
first New Zealander to achieve Vice
Admiral's rank.
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