Mrs. Miniver: 1942

Set in World War II England, Mrs. Miniver reveals what it was like living in England during the first year of the war. Mrs. Miniver, the title character, lives in a quaint village outside of London, and her husband is a well-to-do architect. Part of the middle class, the family enjoys a comfortable lifestyle that includes a couple maids and an education at Oxford for their oldest son. The first half hour or so of the film creates this idyllic image of living the perfect life, but then Poland is attacked and Britain must defend its ally. The Miniver's seemingly blissful existence disappears as air raids and fear take over their village.

I've always enjoyed stories about regular people set during World War II, and Mrs. Miniver is no exception. The characters are truly likable, especially Mrs. Miniver herself. She is kind to everyone, even the arrogant Lady Beldon, and she is brave when faced with losing both her son and husband to the war. It's no wonder the film was so incredibly popular when it was released; this is who we want to be in a time of crisis.

The most startling scene for me was when the family is hiding in their bomb shelter during an attack. The shelter is outside their home and consists of a low metal shack covered and surrounded by sand bags. As the attack intensifies, the family hears bombs being dropped closer and closer, causing their shelter and even the ground to shake violently. The children end up in their parents' arms, and it's a moment when you have to wonder if you could remain as calm as these parents are in a time of such danger. This scene, more than the others, really made me understand what it was like to be in Britain during the bombings of WWII. The next day, the family discovers that their home has had some significant damage: they no longer have a dining room. But the father tells his oldest son that he never really liked the dining room anyway, and the mother points out that the upstairs is perfectly fine. Instead of being upset or sad or angry, the Minivers persevere.

Perhaps the main purpose of the film wasn't so much to show what living in Britain was like at this time but to show the world that the British and their allies were not giving up, no matter the losses they encountered. This is a definite must-see to view another aspect of WWII not often covered.