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The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
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The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

1943
Romance
Drama
2h 43m
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943), transcends its narrow wartime propaganda to portray in warm-hearted detail the life and loves of one extraordinary man (imdb)
Directed by:
Michael Powell Michael Powell Emeric Pressburger Emeric Pressburger
+1 more
Written by:
Michael Powell Michael Powell Emeric Pressburger Emeric Pressburger
+1 more
Starring:
Deborah Kerr Deborah Kerr Anton Walbrook Anton Walbrook James McKechnie Neville Mapp Vincent Holman Roger Livesey Roger Livesey David Hutcheson Spencer Trevor John Laurie John Laurie Ursula Jeans Ursula Jeans Valentine Dyall Valentine Dyall Spangle Spangle
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Genres:
Romance, Drama, War
Country:
UK
Languages:
English, French, German
imdb More information at IMDb
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The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

1943
Romance
Drama
2h 43m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 74.34% from 764 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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dmcrimsonDMCrimson
Rated 06 Aug 2010
90
99th
How does a movie like this not get talked about now?
Rated 06 Aug 2010
nathan_sNathan S
Rated 29 Jun 2010
5
93rd
It's Powell & Pressburger, so indeed there's some sort of strange magic in the air. A rapier-wit, deeply-felt sensitivity, and general well-intent which transforms tremendous wistfulness into an endearing warmth. The frequent ellipses, used to pass over momentous occasions that might climax other narratives, is to instead highlight an ultimately progressive and optimistic forward momentum, a humanism best represented by Anton Walbrook in a moving performance.
Rated 29 Jun 2010
joojooJooJoo
Rated 27 Apr 2008
6
95th
There's a poor opening but give it a little time. If you don't at least get misty on Walbrook's interrogation scene - check yourself for a soul - the depth of feeling here is almost unprecedented.
Rated 27 Apr 2008
staryarabbistaryarabbi
Rated 23 Oct 2015
80
79th
When there is the "coming-of-age" movie, then this is a "going-of-age" movie like its contemporaries "Citizen Kane" & "Tokyo Story". I think its value lies in this quality: that it can capture the passing of time and change of the protagonist like in a Bildungsroman and put it in the middle of a context where a new era begins and being audaciously humanist in a barbaric time. Besides, the cinematography is masterful despite having a fucking mainstream structure of storytelling.
Rated 23 Oct 2015
derekstarDerekstar
Rated 17 Jun 2012
70
50th
I was a little bored at first, but eventually it started to pick up. Mustached Wynne-Candy was a lot more interesting than pre-mustached Wynne-Candy. People go crazy for this movie. I didn't. It's good, but in my view there are like 3-5 superior Powell-Pressburger films. Sorry.
Rated 17 Jun 2012
turinturin
Rated 26 Jan 2008
88
97th
Ah! An old-school (meaning passee) film about old-school (again, passee) warfare - how ironic. It's a great story about aging of a man and his ideas, about how the world we knew is no longer - in this case the world of warfare as a gentlemens fair-play sport, and the only example I know of that art and propaganda can go together.
Rated 26 Jan 2008
jeffvjeff_v
Rated 17 Feb 2010
96
99th
More complex in theme and feeling than the wartime propaganda films of its day, Blimp gathers depth as it traverses its lengthy running time. By the film's end, I was aware of how much was lost and won, but in an intuitive way, not because the film explicitly delivers a message. Note how every death in the film occurs offscreen, as does every marriage, birth and battle. It's in between these cataclysms that life is lived, and in our actions that we define ourselves.
Rated 17 Feb 2010
farzanFarzan
Rated 21 Aug 2009
90
89th
A film that shows the change of a man after accumulating knowledge, age, and of course, experience. Clive Wynn Candy is an extraordinary character, both witty and charming, and his life, although fictional, is a life that deserved to be put to the screen. The lessons taught are of great importance. This is a film I would like to watch every couple of years, I am sure when I am older, it'll impact me more than it did today.
Rated 21 Aug 2009
stainStain
Rated 20 Aug 2007
100
95th
Brilliant. A heroic story that is totally and completely not what you might expect, and not at all the usual dry-as-dust British film, either
Rated 20 Aug 2007
kasperlKasperL
Rated 21 Feb 2012
85
94th
My favorite from Powell & Pressburger. Livesey and Walbrook turn in superb performances and the makeup used to age them is great. We see the most important parts of their lives, and the changes of the times they've lived in, and thus get to understand their characters unusually well. Walton's monologue at his interview, late in the film, was my favorite scene.
Rated 21 Feb 2012
hehejajahehejaja
Rated 28 Apr 2008
80
76th
Grand, and intimate in a very strange way.
Rated 28 Apr 2008
darkmandarkman
Rated 10 Nov 2010
85
94th
Outstanding!
Rated 10 Nov 2010
suture_selfSuture Self
Rated 27 May 2014
10
96th
I almost wish this was longer.
Rated 27 May 2014
cosmicmonkeyCosmicMonkey
Rated 23 Dec 2017
75
49th
I mean, it's interesting enough, with great performances, beautiful colour cinematography and some of the most creative scene transitions I've ever seen, but politically it's a bit of a mess; don't get me wrong, Anti-Nazism is great, but it's less great when coupled with blind, unquestioning support for British Colonialism and the genocidal practices committed under it. But then again, how much nuance can I expect from a propaganda film?
Rated 23 Dec 2017
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 12 Jun 2009
94
99th
An epic movie, so engaging that you feel as if you've known Candy for his entire life, you feel like you grew old with him yourself. I don't think I can understate the power of this movie, its only fault is that once or twice you can notice a sloppy scene end, but it really doesn't take away from the movie. This is one of the best movies I've ever seen. Completely and utterly profound considering the time it was made during.
Rated 12 Jun 2009
helfen419helfen419
Rated 11 Sep 2011
80
62nd
Some of the ugliest women I've seen in a movie. Pretty well done, though.
Rated 11 Sep 2011
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 12 Jan 2008
82
73rd
I enjoyed it and it was very well done, but it didn't really push my buttons. It elegantly charts how values change, for better or worse, and sometimes become obsolete. The Technicolor photography is nice, although not up to the level of Cardiff's best work. Livesly is phenomenal in the lead, and I liked Walbrook's performance as well. Kerr's triple role is noteworthy, but she doesn't do much with the first 2 parts. A witty and multi-faceted film, one I admire even if it will never be a favorite
Rated 12 Jan 2008
baggerBagger
Rated 02 Aug 2011
71
54th
The comparisation of the Second Boer War, the First World War and the then-ongoing Second World War is very inspired and its the Oddysey-esque narrative does work well with it. But what will ultimately make or break this is how well you take the moral of the need to fight dirty against Nazi Germany.
Rated 02 Aug 2011
snallygastersnallygaster
Rated 04 Nov 2012
79
89th
Multiple themes are handled with such grace, it always seems sincere and personal, never feeling like a "Historical Epic" (although it is). Candy is portrayed as naive not only because he insists on an old code of honour , but also because he can't see that the old code was an illusion. Ultimately the film seems to suggest "total war" as a necessary evil, but it does so with sadness rather than cynicism (see Saving Private Ryan), and enough complexity that Churchill wanted to ban it.
Rated 04 Nov 2012
icarusIcarus
Rated 13 Jun 2009
85
79th
This was a very enjoyable film from beginning to end, most notably because of Livesey's standout and eminently likable performance as the titular character. The writing/directing team do an excellent job not simply dwelling on the political aspects of their film, but rooting them in the vivid reality of Wynne-Candy's life through the first four decades of the twentieth century.
Rated 13 Jun 2009
sellissellis
Rated 09 Jan 2021
88
84th
The structure and pacing should be problems - spanning the military career of one man, focusing too much time in certain whimsical, undramatic moments and skipping over others... but it all works somehow. And in a tender progression unravels the protagonist’s idealism/naivety/delusion with an unexpected emotional honesty. Other films may make Kerr’s roles the centerpiece gimmick (no offense Bunuel), but here it’s just another piece of his psyche, bittersweetly examined. A lovely experience
Rated 09 Jan 2021
vertiggoVertiggo
Rated 05 Feb 2010
80
63rd
Incredible for the age, i mean , it was realeased during the second war.... . Boring, no doubt. Creative, no doubt. But Anyway, you have to like politic, english humour and war things to enjoy this movie. The characters are geniously constructed. I appreciate the "life experience" thing . It's very well shown.
Rated 05 Feb 2010
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 26 Dec 2012
83
69th
Long, ineveitably episodic film nevertheless remains compelling thanks to the stylistic chops of Powell & Pressburger, who handle the intricate flashback structure of the episodes quite brilliantly, and Livesey's riveting performance in the lead, quite possibly the greatest, most convincing depiction of the ageing process, helped by persuasive make-up effects. Walbrook also is no less convincing as Blimp's life-long friend.
Rated 26 Dec 2012
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 19 Mar 2014
95
93rd
Viewed March 18, 2014. The British equivalent of Grand Illusion and Casablanca, meaning its one of the most flatout enjoyable and charming movies I've ever come across, covering all of the bases of entertainment in a way that is classy and heartwarming.
Rated 19 Mar 2014
henrikHenrik
Rated 05 Jun 2013
85
90th
A true epic where you really get to know the characters in depth through the story's scope. Full of very dry, very English humour.
Rated 05 Jun 2013
nepetaNepeta
Rated 22 May 2020
75
56th
I don't really buy into the notion Candy keeps bringing up that war used to be gentlemanly and not feature the underhanded tactics that others insist to him are necessary to win the World War II, and I feel uneasy at the white-washed presentation of the Boer War here. It made it hard or me to fully relax and enjoy the, sometimes quite excellent, pleasures and enjoyment that other parts of the film do hold. I'm surprised I don't see this criticised more often.
Rated 22 May 2020
ratedarghratedargh
Rated 01 Dec 2013
100
97th
Funny, sprawling, gorgeous, perceptive, bold, and ahead of its time. It's incredible that this movie was released before World War 2 ended. The portrait of coming-of-age, and subsequently aging out is well handled. Phenomenal.
Rated 01 Dec 2013
boriajboriaj
Rated 02 Feb 2016
75
58th
There is no character in the movie named "Colonel Blimp", which actually was a popular cartoon character in the UK. The movie's hero is a Blimp-like guy. In order to understand the movie better, I suggest reading the Wikipedia article about Colonel Blimp first.
Rated 02 Feb 2016
eggbeatereggbeater
Rated 13 Mar 2009
100
95th
Superb, sentimental story. Kerr charming as three different women in the Colonel's life.
Rated 13 Mar 2009
francogonzoFrancoGonzo
Rated 24 Feb 2016
17
93rd
Star Rating: ★★★★1/2
Rated 24 Feb 2016
dougiedDougieD
Rated 27 May 2013
90
81st
This lengthy, leisurely paced drama shows the life of a man devoted to his army. Through his journeys we see the impact of his friendship with a German man, and the three loves of his life who all represent ideals that are dear to his heart. The film is sentimental to a fault, but it's easily forgivable with a story that slowly draws the viewer in, and the usual precise direction and beautiful production designs that are the norm with a Powell and Pressburger film.
Rated 27 May 2013
fenixdownfenixdown
Rated 10 Jan 2012
76
58th
Entertaining and funny, with interesting characters and situations, also way too long.
Rated 10 Jan 2012
chadisdangerchadisdanger
Rated 21 Mar 2009
92
97th
A grand, Technicolor wartime epic filled with brains and heart. Its length is warranted through its sincere exploration of British military and social values over the course of 40 years, and it never once gets boring. Livesey and Walbrook are remarkable, both being instrumental in giving the film's treatment of age such emotional power and insight.
Rated 21 Mar 2009
barthalenBarthalen
Rated 28 Apr 2011
79
77th
A bit hard to get into, but as time goes by the emotional core of the story becomes stronger. A bittersweet look at aging, war, and changing values. There's some bits and pieces of propaganda throughout, but they're subtle considering the time the film was made. Livesey knock his role out of the park, and Walbrook's monologue was moving and powerful. Some good moments throughout, but not without its boring parts.
Rated 28 Apr 2011
moncliviemonclivie
Rated 04 Jun 2017
88
95th
Very much.
Rated 04 Jun 2017
councillorCouncillor
Rated 21 Jan 2009
90
89th
Important.
Rated 21 Jan 2009
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 22 Jun 2008
75
89th
Classic.
Rated 22 Jun 2008
oskarhuoskarhu
Rated 06 Jul 2014
83
87th
Well written plot with typically cold, British humor. The slow pace prevented me from enjoying it fully.
Rated 06 Jul 2014
gnalkhereGnalkhere
Rated 11 Feb 2015
90
91st
The britishness is through the roof, and it's somehow bearable for its 2hr45min viewing. Doesn't hold itself from being so british and has that sweet charisma that I don't see in films all that often nowadays
Rated 11 Feb 2015
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 13 Mar 2017
68
70th
An historic epic, for all its flaws as intelligent, complex and meticulously directed as anything by Powell and Pressburger.
Rated 13 Mar 2017
willofgaiawillofgaia
Rated 14 Jun 2007
90
72nd
Witty and charming, but often fails to make a definite connection with the audience and it's difficult to stay interested.
Rated 14 Jun 2007
chmulcr0nchmul_cr0n
Rated 16 Sep 2018
82
93rd
The better Citizen Kane. Probably by not trying to be. It's more down to earth, less full of itself, doesn't take itself too seriously and hast just overall more to say about life and people. And not just about the person who made it. :) The three main players are absolutely brilliant. First movie with Deborah Kerr I ever saw. In love now.
Rated 16 Sep 2018
pilgermannpilgermann
Rated 03 Mar 2014
90
94th
Loaded with great charm and beauty, it's hard not to love this movie.
Rated 03 Mar 2014
peyrinpeyrin
Rated 26 Nov 2018
70
56th
Pretty wild to see the Red Shoes team of Powell/Pressburger/Walbrook/Cardiff put their skills to use on a much more whimsical and sometimes downright wacky film. Its thematic and satirical achievements are a bit overstated but still a fun romp nevertheless.
Rated 26 Nov 2018
theyshoot07theyshoot07
Rated 01 Mar 2008
92
87th
# 160
Rated 01 Mar 2008
bookhouseboybookhouseboy
Rated 22 Feb 2024
65
87th
#24#, rw3, ratings, recommended, "Project 100-80-60-40-20"-1943#3
Rated 22 Feb 2024
perrystroikaPerryStroika
Rated 29 May 2021
67
77th
1) there was nothing gentlemanly about the British Empire, as this film's B.S. treatment of the Boer war indicates; 2) despite the title the protagonist doesn't die; 3) Blimp is the same complacent, sentimental, non-too-bright oaf at the end as at the beginning; 4) the satire could use more of an edge; maybe the British would have gotten better results out of their officer Corp if they had managed something harsher than this kind of gentle ribbing.
Rated 29 May 2021
bownBown
Rated 05 Nov 2023
87
84th
Covers a heck of a lot of ground - changing attitudes values, romantic obsession, aging, the ways the bonds of friendship can be tested - and always does so with remarkable elegance and wit, nostalgic for a more honourable time but clear-eyed about it being over. A heartfelt, humorous, and somber epic.
Rated 05 Nov 2023
theyshoot08theyshoot08
Rated 19 Dec 2008
93
86th
147
Rated 19 Dec 2008
djrossdjross
Rated 28 Jun 2023
60
62nd
A man’s romantic longings combine with his sense of reserve; as a result he lives a life committed to duty, propriety and friendship but with little capacity for reinvention. Narratively unusual, it is interesting to see how right in the middle of the Second World War it was possible to make a film whose most sympathetic character is a German soldier and which, at the same time, is at its core a rejection of all restraint and a call for “total war”. At times one can’t help but think of Dresden.
Rated 28 Jun 2023
angrypierreangrypierre
Rated 13 Sep 2020
81
77th
I didn't really get into this as much as A Matter of Life and Death, but I did feel like there was something there. What at first glance seems to be a story of knucklehead soldiers getting into scrapes and hi-jinx actually ends up saying much more about life, love and the changes values and horrors of war. It never dwells on violence, or the actual fighting, but focuses instead on just one life and a few people who walk through it. Worth a second go I think.
Rated 13 Sep 2020
napolenbradynapolenbrady
Rated 12 Mar 2019
89
69th
89.00
Rated 12 Mar 2019
glm01glm01
Rated 23 Mar 2014
88
95th
88.000
Rated 23 Mar 2014
nathanbatesNathanBates
Rated 10 Nov 2019
80
78th
While there are spots in this long-ranging "biopic" that don't seem important, most actually do have payoffs eventually. The performances are stellar: Livesey's transformation from young gun to older and wiser patriot, Walbrook's empathy for his "enemy," and Kerr taking on three mostly-different roles. There are a few drops into English history that might not be familiar to Americans but it's easy enough to get the gist of it. Very moving.
Rated 10 Nov 2019
hulothulot
Rated 14 Jan 2012
100
96th
watched: 2012, 2016, 2021
Rated 14 Jan 2012
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 09 Mar 2010
100
99th
Colonel Blimp Vida e Morte estreava há 80 anos no Reino Unido. Ultimate filme de propaganda, ele é tão sofisticado como propaganda de guerra que não houve nenhum outro que chegou nesse nível de perfeição. Ponderado é ao mesmo tempo ferrenho em seu discurso, a personagem de Theo faz esse trabalho de transição entre a cafonice inglesa e o germânico não nazi dando voz ao Pressburger que também se refugiou na Inglaterra. Perfeição. Box Versátil O Cinema de Powell é Pressburger
Rated 09 Mar 2010
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 20 Nov 2011
35
90th
"Few British films from this period seem to mythologize the pre-war period of Churchill's youth and early career quite as potently." - Jaime N. Christley
Rated 20 Nov 2011
hadleyreisHadleyreis
Rated 02 May 2020
82
80th
A round of applause for the spaniels
Rated 02 May 2020
glmglm
Rated 26 Jul 2012
90
92nd
90.375
Rated 26 Jul 2012
doyler29doyler29
Rated 12 Nov 2018
100
96th
Powell and Pressburger's very loose adaptation of David Low's comic strip character Colonel Blimp stars Roger Livesey as Clive Candy, a British military officer who serves in the Boer War and World War I, and finds his outmoded ideas of sportsmanship and gentlemanly fair play are no longer applicable to the world of World War II. Anton Walbrook co-stars as his closest friend, a German military officer, and Deborah Kerr plays three roles as the embodiment of Candy's ideal woman.
Rated 12 Nov 2018
theyshoot10theyshoot10
Rated 13 Jan 2010
93
86th
140
Rated 13 Jan 2010
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 09 Nov 2022
81
77th
A very good movie that is essentially a biopic of a fictional character, played very well by Roger Livesey, who manages to convincingly portray the character over a 40 year timeframe. It stands out from most war or war adjacent movies of the day as it's not as overt in its propaganda. It's not rated higher because it didn't TOTALLY emotionally connect with me, but it's just a super well done, beautifully made movie, as you'd expect from Powell and Pressburger.
Rated 09 Nov 2022
punqPUNQ
Rated 04 Dec 2018
90
99th
This was so dazzlingly British. There's no other way to put it.
Rated 04 Dec 2018
fuentissimoFuentissimo
Rated 18 Mar 2020
40
36th
Charming, but I'm afraid I've missed the point of the story. It seemed a rather melancholy farce. Good acting and a fine script as strong points.
Rated 18 Mar 2020
theyshoot11theyshoot11
Rated 30 Nov 2011
92
84th
#152
Rated 30 Nov 2011

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