The Miniver Story

Director: H.C. Potter H.C. Potter

Overview

This sequel to 1942's Mrs. Miniver finds the British mother (Greer Garson) at the end of World War II as her husband (Walter Pidgeon), daughter (Cathy O'Connell) and son (James Fox) are all about to return home. Mrs. Miniver is the victim of a terminal disease, and she intends to solve the family's problems and bring everyone together before she dies.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/05/2012
UPC:	0883316452288
Original Release:	1950
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:44:00
Sales rank:	23,184

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Greer Garson	Kay Miniver
Walter Pidgeon	Clem Miniver
John Hodiak	Spike Romway
Leo Genn	Steve Brunswick
Cathy O'Donnell	Judy Miniver
Reginald Owen	Mr. Foley
Anthony Bushell	Dr. Kanesley
Richard Gale	Tom Foley
Peter Finch	Polish Officer
James Fox	Toby Miniver
Cicely Paget-Bowman	Mrs. Kanesley
Ann Wilton	Jeanette
Henry Wilcoxon	Vicar
Eliot Makeham	Mr. Farraday
Brian Roper	Richard
Paul Demel	Jose Antonio Campos
Alison Leggatt	Mrs. Foley
Sandra Dorne	Girl in Tartan, VE Day pub (uncredited)

Technical Credits

Sidney Franklin	Producer
Tom Howard	Special Effects
H.C. Potter	Director

Editorial Reviews

Possible The Miniver Story might seem a better film if it didn't have to bear the brunt of inevitable comparison to its predecessor, Mrs. Miniver -- but even it that case, it still wouldn't be a good film. Story is heavy-handed soap opera, whereas Mrs. was a drama with heart. The story in Story is one that has been told countless times before and since -- that of a martyr, often as in this case, a wife and/or mother, who puts the needs of her loved ones far, far in advance of her own. It's also that old chestnut about a person who is dying but who -- though she would never admit this -- doesn't trust her family enough to let them in on this devastating development which is going to drastically affect their lives. Beyond the plot, the screenplay is banal in character development and dialogue. Worse, it betrays the characters as portrayed in Mrs., making changes that are unacceptable. H.C. Potter's direction is serviceable, but what is needed is outstanding helming. Under the circumstances, the cast does as good a job as possible. Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon have plenty of star quality and their chemistry is intact, but she is reduced to begging for tears and he to trying to burst through the wooden façade of his character. They are so talented that they overcome these obstacles, making Story watchable -- but not memorable.