Mrs. Miniver (1942)

"Our enemy is no respecter of flower shows."

As the story opens early in 1939, Mrs. Miniver (Greer Garson) is living a charmed life in a quaint English village. Her husband, Clem (Walter Pigeon), is a successful architect and she has three children she adores. When war is declared, her life is deeply affected: Her eldest son joins the Air Force, Clem is gone for days on boat patrol, and her village is subjected to enemy bombs.

Released in 1942, this movie was a big hit with its patriotic message and wholesome family values. While the Miniver family is somewhat idealized, they nevertheless feel the horror of wartime. It's rousing and sentimental without being overly preachy and won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Garson is just perfect as the loving woman who holds her family together and Pigeon is a good match as her husband. The supporting cast is lovely, especially Henry Travers as the rose-loving station master.

The DVD extras include two patriotic short films that were made during the war. This is an inspiring, sweet, and timeless story of the effects of war on the home-front. Highly recommended. October 9, 2008

Great product & service

Received the DVD in excellent condition promptly. If you like old movies this is a classic and the quality is very good. June 16, 2008

1 of the best WWII movies made!

Greer Garson is EXCELLENT in this WWII movie made in England. The trials of having a husband & son serving in the war, while at home having to venture to the bomb shelter with her 2 youngest children. The fears of the children are voiced while the fears of the parents are visible on their faces. This movie touches on faith, seeing the enemy as a person when a hungry German soldier slips into the back door, and the fears of life in the midst of the war. Very few movies encapsulates views from several different characters the way MRS. MINIVER does. You will fall in love with this movie, as I do, each time that you watch it. May 10, 2008

Heartbreaking.

Mrs. Miniver starring Greer Garson is a tearjerker, just recently watched this film and boy I was very impressed. This film won many Oscars including best picture and best actress. Garson is a pure gem, what a natural and gifted actress she was! She carries this film, her face says it all and who knew Walter Pidgeon was such a looker! Sad but deeply profound, I highly recommend giving this classic a viewing. Enjoy! April 22, 2008

A Peek into the WWII Mindset

The Shopkeeper
The Shut Mouth Society

This isn't just a great story, Mrs Miniver is a history lesson. The film was released in 1942, when the Axis powers still looked so formidable that victory couldn't be seen for many years, if at all. So ... this was basically a propaganda film. What's surprising is that a film designed to inspire and ignite the populous could be so good. Beyond great acting and intelligent dialogue, Mrs. Miniver is a intriguing story about how people toughen up in times of peril.

I especially liked the scene where a wounded Nazi pilot forces his way by gunpoint into the Miniver home. From a propaganda perspective, this scene is brilliant. First Mrs. Miniver feels sympathy for a severely wounded and staved young man that could be her son if he crashed on the continent. Just when the audience might glimpse the humanity of the enemy, the German youth turns vile and revels in the bombing of civilian women and children. Perfect villainization.

The DVD is especially valuable to get a contemporaneous feel for the era and the war mindset of the Allies. The special features includes two fascinating American wartime shorts.

If you like war romances, history, or well-crafted movies, you'll enjoy owning Mrs. Miniver. If you like all three, as I do, then you hit the jackpot. April 17, 2008

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