Mrs. Miniver, based on the book by Jan Struther

Mrs. Miniver, based on the book by Jan Struther

                Mrs. Miniver is an admirable motion picture.

It has been included on The New York Times’ List of Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made, available here:

                http://www.listchallenges.com/new-york-times-best-1000-movies-ever-made/checklist/15

Among the Eight (!) writers that have contributed to the script, we find the reputable James Hilton.

                He was the author of the sublime:

                Lost Horizon, an exceptional book that was adapted for the big screen

                Mrs. Miniver has won an extraordinary number of Academy Awards- Six!

                In addition, these are the  most important ones at that, including for:

                Best Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Director, Best Writing, Screenplay…

It all happens during the First part of World War II, when the protagonists have to face the challenges of the terrible conflict.

Moreover, they all prove that they have stamina and almost, if not all of the imaginable Character Strengths:

Bravery, Persistence, Perspective, Citizenship, Forgiveness and Mercy, Perspective, Creativity, Modesty,

Integrity, Vitality, Love, Kindness, Social Intelligence, Appreciation of Excellence and Beauty, Hope and more

Lady Beldon seems to be the exception, for she is in the first part pretentious and arrogant, snobbish and retrograde.

She refuses to accept the relationship between her granddaughter, Carol, and Vin Miniver, the latter being “only middle class”.

Lady Beldon feels this is unacceptable and besides, the young man is a pilot and he could die at any moment.

This changes and the older woman is not only embracing the new “relatives” but she even gives away the prize for the best rose.

There many worthwhile, philosophical themes in this wonderful film, one of which would be to enjoy the present:

Carpe Diem!

Carol is aware that her husband can die very soon, given that he has to fight the Nazi invading planes.

However, she talks with her mother in law and speaks about the fact that she is and will enjoy every given moment.

This has reminded me of Dostoyevsky and his last three minutes, the time left for him on this earth, before his execution.

The genius writer has decided to pass his life in front of him in one minute, say goodbye to family and friends in another and finally, to admire a ray of sunshine falling on the roof of a church nearby.

The author of Crime and Punishment is pardoned at the last moment and talks about this unique experience in his masterpieces, the feeling of the man who is about to die, how he would rather live on a bare rock, in the middle of the ocean, rather than see the end of life in the next minutes or hours.

A German pilot land near the house of the family and Mrs. Miniver is not only brave, but proves resilience and manages to face the Nazi who starts talking about killing women and children.

Dunkirk, the subject of one of the best films last year- 2017- is mentioned only in a segment of this motion picture.

Clem Miniver takes place in the sensational evacuation of the British Army by private boats, an operation that changed the fate of the war.

More details about that are given in another of 2017’s Best Pictures, Darkest Hour, with Gary Oldman in the role of Winston Churchill.

                Mrs. Miniver is without a doubt a supreme work of art.