The Blue Peter (US title Navy Heroes) is a 1955 British film directed by Wolf Rilla and starring Kieron Moore and Greta Gynt.[1] It was written by Don Sharp and John Pudney. It was released in the United States in December 1957.[2] The film is about youth seamanship at the original Outward Bound in Aberdyfi, Wales, a program similar to Sea Scouting or Sea Cadets.
| The Blue Peter | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | Wolf Rilla |
| Written by | Don Sharp John Pudney |
| Based on | an original story by Don Sharp |
| Produced by | Herbert Mason |
| Starring | Kieron Moore Greta Gynt |
| Cinematography | Arthur Grant |
| Edited by | John Trumper |
| Music by | Antony Hopkins |
Production companies | Group Three Productions Beaconsfield Productions |
| Distributed by | British Lion Film Corporation (UK) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 93 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Premise
editShellshocked following his experiences as a POW, naval war hero Mike Merriworth enrols as a physical instructor at an Outward Bound sea school in Wales, and discovers new purpose shaping the lives of the boys in his charge.
Cast
edit- Kieron Moore as Mike Merriworth
- Greta Gynt as Mary Griffin
- Sarah Lawson as Gwyneth Thomas
- Mervyn Johns as Captain Snow
- Mary Kerridge as Mrs Snow
- Harry Fowler as Charlie Barton
- John Charlesworth as Andrew Griffin
- Anthony Newley as Fred Starling
- Brian Roper as Tony Mullins
- Edwin Richfield as Number One
- Richard Bennett as Roger
- William Ingram as Karl
Production
editIt was one of several scripts Don Sharp wrote for Group Three.[3] He had an idea for a film about the Outward Bound Program and researched it at a camp in Wales. Sharp also worked on the film as a second unit director.[4]
Critical reception
editThe Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Conscientious but hardly inspired, the film fails sufficiently to communicate the central character's mental uncertainty, so that he too often appears little more than a self-pitying boor. It is the youngsters who mainly command the attention; and the final scenes, where a routine hike in the Welsh mountains almost ends in disaster, are effectively done. Despite its faults, the film manages to convey an agreeable open-air atmosphere."[5]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "good", writing: "Persuasive story has genuine warmth, grips and thrills in the right places."[6]
TV Guide wrote, "Several humorous scenes of camping life and a lively group of youngsters brighten an otherwise routine programmer."[7]
References
edit- ^ "The Blue Peter". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ "Blue Peter (1955) - Wolf Rilla - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie". AllMovie.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (27 July 2019). "Unsung Aussie Filmmakers: Don Sharp – A Top 25". Filmink.
- ^ Sharp, Don (2 November 1993). "Don Sharp Side 2" (Interview). Interviewed by Teddy Darvas and Alan Lawson. London: History Project. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- ^ "The Blue Peter". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 23 (264): 6. 1 January 1956 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 286. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
- ^ "Navy Heroes". TVGuide.com.
External links
edit- The Blue Peter at IMDb
- The Blue Peter at BFI
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