Major Barbara (film)
| Major Barbara | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Gabriel Pascal |
| Produced by | Gabriel Pascal |
| Written by |
George Bernard Shaw Marjorie Deans Anatole de Grunwald |
| Starring |
Wendy Hiller Rex Harrison Robert Morley Robert Newton |
| Music by | William Walton |
| Edited by |
David Lean Charles Frend |
Production company |
Gabriel Pascal Productions |
| Distributed by | General Film Distributors |
Release dates |
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Running time | 131 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Major Barbara is a 1941 British film starring Wendy Hiller and Rex Harrison. The film was produced and directed by Gabriel Pascal and edited by David Lean. It was adapted for the screen by Marjorie Deans and Anatole de Grunwald, based on the 1905 stage play Major Barbara by George Bernard Shaw. It was both a critical and financial success.[1]
Plot
In this social satire, Barbara Undershaft (Hiller), an idealistic major in the Salvation Army, is deeply troubled by the fact that her father, Andrew Undershaft (Robert Morley), is a wealthy weapons manufacturer. Meanwhile, Andrew is looking for an heir for his industrial empire, in particular a foundling like himself.
Cast
- Wendy Hiller as Major Barbara Undershaft
- Rex Harrison as Adolphus Cusins
- Robert Morley as Andrew Undershaft
- Robert Newton as Bill Walker
- Sybil Thorndike as The General
- Emlyn Williams as Snobby Price
- Stanley Holloway as Policeman
- Donald Calthrop as Peter Shirley
- Marie Lohr as Lady Britomart
- Marie Ault as Rummy Mitchens
- Penelope Dudley-Ward as Sarah Undershaft
- Walter Hudd as Stephen Undershaft
- David Tree as Charles Lomax
- Deborah Kerr as Jenny Hill
Production
Major Barbara was filmed in London during The Blitz bombing of 1940. During air raids, the crew and cast repeatedly had to dodge into bomb shelters. The film's producer-director, Pascal, never stopped the production and the film was completed on schedule.
DVD
Major Barbara was released on DVD by The Criterion Collection on 23 February 2010, as part of the box set George Bernard Shaw on Film.
References
Notes
- ↑ Valerie Pascal. The Disciple and His Devil. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1970.
Bibliography
- The Great British Films, pp 59–62, Jerry Vermilye, 1978, Citadel Press, ISBN 0-8065-0661-X
External links
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