The making of a propaganda film in the 40s – the script ideas, the untrained people involved, the petty jealousies, the atmosphere of ‘making do’ in wartime and the utter chaos shine through in this warm, comic novel of a by-gone age. It’s a delight.
Reviewed by Sarah Broadhurst Sarah Broadhurst spent her early working life in the book trade in both retail and wholesale until the arrival of children forced her to look for freelance work she could do from… More reviews by Sarah Broadhurst
About Their Finest Hour and a Half
In 1940, every draft of every film script had to be approved by the Ministry of Information. Cast and crew were waiting to be called up at any moment, travel was restricted and filming was interrupted by regular bombing raids. And so it is that we find a disparate group of characters whose paths would never have crossed in peacetime:
In 1940, every draft of every film script had to be approved by the Ministry of Information. Cast and crew were waiting to be called up at any moment, travel was restricted and filming was interrupted by regular bombing raids. And so it is that we find a disparate group of characters whose paths would never have crossed in peacetime:
Ambrose Hilliard, a washed up old ham from the golden era of silent movies
Catrin Cole, formerly an advertising copywriter drafted in to 'write women' for the Ministry of Information
Edith Beadmore, a wardrobe assistant at Madame Tussauds
and, Arthur Frith, peacetime catering manager turned wartime Special Military Advisor. This distinct group find themselves thrown together in the wilds of Norfolk to 'do their bit' on the latest propaganda film - a heart-warming tale of derring do, of two sisters who set out in a leaking old wooden boat to rescue the brave men trapped at Dunkirk. All completely fabricated, of course, but what does that matter when the nation's morale is at stake? Newly crowned actor, script-writer, costumier and military attache must swallow their mutual distaste, ill-will and mistrust and unite for the common good, for King and country, and - in one case - for better or worse
Lissa Evans has written books for both adults and children, including Their Finest Hour and a Half, longlisted for the Orange Prize, Small Change for Stuart, shortlisted for many awards including the Carnegie Medal and the Costa Book Awards and Crooked Heart, longlisted for the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction.
In 1940, every draft of every film script had to be approved by the Ministry of Information. Cast and crew were waiting to be called up at any moment, travel was restricted and filming was interrupted by regular bombing raids.
Their Finest Hour and a Half features in the following genres: Historical Fiction, Debut Books of the Month, Modern and Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Recommendations, General Fiction
Paperback. £10.79, down from the £11.99 cover price. In Stock.
Their Finest Hour and a Half was written by Lissa Evans and published by Black Swan an imprint of Transworld Publishers Ltd
Their Finest Hour and a Half has 413 pages
£10.79, reduced from £11.99. In Stock.
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