Major Barbara (1941)

Approved   |    |  Comedy

Major Barbara (1941) Poster

A young and idealistic woman, who has adopted the Salvation Army and whose father is an armament industrialist, will save more souls directing her father's business. A comedy with social commentary.

6.8/10
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Photos

  • Donald Calthrop in Major Barbara (1941)
  • Gabriel Pascal and George Bernard Shaw in Major Barbara (1941)
  • Walter Hudd and Marie Lohr in Major Barbara (1941)
  • Robert Newton in Major Barbara (1941)
  • Rex Harrison and Wendy Hiller in Major Barbara (1941)
  • Rex Harrison and Wendy Hiller in Major Barbara (1941)

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Awards

1 nomination.

Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews
2 October 2007 | MOscarbradley
7
| Preserving a great play
GBS's great play of war, commerce and religion filmed, as if on the stage, by Gabriel Pascal; (it's at its least effective in the scenes where he 'opens it up'). So what we have, fundamentally, is filmed theater, a rendition on celluloid of a 'performance', much in the same way that Anthony Asquith's version of "The Importance of Being Earnest" was filmed theater, although this is in no way as definitive as that was. Still, what's to complain about when the cast includes Wendy Hiller's high-minded, free-spirited Major Barbara; Rex Harrison's cavalier 'Dolly', oscillating between cynicism and idealism; Robert Morley's unctuous Undershaft, too young for the part but carrying it off splendidly and in support the likes of Robert Newton,Marie Lohr, Sybil Thorndike, Emlyn Williams and Kathleen Harrison. There is even a young Deborah Kerr for star spotters. Of course, as it stands, it may appear something of a dinosaur, both as play and film and some of the speeches have the tone of pamphleteering but it's also very funny and often highly entertaining and one is glad Pascal had the temerity to make it in the first place.

Critic Reviews

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the scene where Rex Harrison, showing Robert Morley around the Salvation Army shelter on Morley's visit, Harrison takes Morley into the meeting room that was converted from the former pub "The Surprise" ("Once the rowdiest pub in the district", notes Harrison). As Morley and Harrison walk through the double swinging doors into the room, prominently visible on the wall facing them is a large framed portrait of a man with a long white beard, which appears to be a portrait of the original play's author, George Bernard Shaw.

Quotes

Andrew Underschaft: Oh, very well. Have it your own way. You know nothing and you think you know everything. That points clearly to a political career.

Goofs

(at around 1h 35 mins) Just before she scolds her husband for addressing her as "Biddy", a boom mic shadow passes over the lace trim on the bosom of Lady Britomart's (Marie Lohr) gown.

Alternate Versions

As originally released, this featured a spoken prologue featuring George Bernard Shaw himself, but it has been cut from all TV and VHS prints.

Soundtracks

How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds
(uncredited)
Music by Alexander Reinagle (1836)
Words by John Newton (1779)
Arranged by William Walton

Storyline

Plot Summary

Genres

Comedy

Details

Release Date:

2 August 1941

Language

English

Country of Origin

UK

Filming Locations

Royal Albert Hall, South Kensington, London, England, UK

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