Last month’s family movie night was my uncle’s pick with this film that I hadn’t heard of before….and it was terrific!

It was a well told drama based on an incredible true story during the second world war. Based on the book Ewen Montagu wrote of his leading role in the British intelligence deception operation code named “Operation Mincemeat”. As the admiral says in the film when being briefed of the details “It’s the most outrageous, disgusting, preposterous, not to say barbaric idea. But work out full details and be on hand at the War Cabinet Offices at 4:30 tomorrow afternoon.”

What I liked was the way the narrative is told by use of five main principal actors. As it is based on a delicate intelligence mission, you don’t need the distraction of a large cast. The story is more than enough to keep you engaged. It’s also one of those films that creates an element of suspense where it fools you into thinking there might be a different outcome – they wouldn’t have made a film if the operation failed right?

Of the main cast it is Clifton Webb and Gloria Grahame’s performances as Ewen Montagu and Lucy Sherwood that shine. Webb brings an authority to the role without coming across as arrogant, while Grahame’s performance is so emotionally powerful. Their names are billed first in the credits and deservingly so.

While there are some laughs along the way, including the idea to start with and all the possible things that could go wrong with its execution, the film pays respect to the story and the man who became Major William Martin. The way that the seriousness of the situation really hit home for me was in the scene when the body is being dressed. Each item is meticulously being placed across different pockets to build up the identity of this fictional officer. While this is happening there are bombs being dropped around the city. This just adds to the level of urgency and desperation to win an advantage in the war.

You also never see the face of the actor playing the dead man, in fact you don’t see too much of him on screen. I’m not sure if this was a conscious decision made or perhaps related to budget or makeup that might have not looked realistic on screen, given when the film was made. Whatever the reason I think this worked really well in favour of the film, as it feels to add an additional level of respect.

It was a story that I wasn’t familiar with and I’m glad to have seen this film. One of the reasons my uncle chose this film is because of the connection to author Ian Fleming, best known for writing the James Bond novels. Fleming was a naval intelligence officer and Operation Mincemeat was based off an idea he wrote in what was called the “Trout Memo”, which was a document comparing deception methods in wartime with fly fishing. There you go – your fact for the day!

Review:  Great