An Ungentlemanly Act (1992 TV Movie) User Reviews

If Ealing Studios had made a Falklands War movie

[ubercommando · 8/10 · 11 April 2005]

This was a very well made TV movie about the Falklands War. Up until that time, the war was depicted in very negative and anti-British terms with efforts like "Sink The Belgrano" (the British as war-mongers) and "Tumbledown" (the British army treats its men with contempt). This is a more balanced effort, and is all the better for it. The Falkland Islands and its people are depicted as a quaint, small town British community, almost like a corner of Somerset or Yorkshire. They live a life that almost embodies an earlier, stereotypical 1950's way far removed from cosmopolitan London. The theme of the film is that of violation. When the Argentinians threaten to invade, the locals close ranks and prepare for the worst; even though they're not sure what that will entail. The Royal Marines, professional to the last, won't give in that easily; they don't want their honour violated. The DJ refuses to have his station violated, the defenders of Government house don't even want the vegetable patch violated. The Argentinians are not the focus of the story and their point of view isn't really delved into; suffice to say General Mendoza comes across as a reasonable person, but a few of his officers are shown as brutal thugs who can't wait to impose their ways on the islanders.

The film came out when anti-Thatcher bias in the British media was high, and it's not an anti-Thatcher piece at all. It goes a little into the British seeming to reduce their commitment to the islands at the beginning, but the impression I was left with was that the islanders were absolutely horrified to be taken over by Argentina. It pits the olde-worlde British village life against the Banana Republic army boot. The acting is first rate (have Ian Richardson or the late lamented Bob Peck ever put in a bad performance?) and the production values are very good.

Ian Richardson was the wrong choice

[ken_westmoreland · 7/10 · 22 September 2006]

Nothing against him as an actor, he's a very good one, but I couldn't think of anyone less well suited to playing Rex Hunt. Ian Richardson is the English Home Counties personified (see him in Francis Urquhart) and Rex Hunt is a Yorkshireman. He could have least have dyed his hair - Hunt didn't have grey hair then, and for all I know, doesn't now!

I wasn't aware that it was filmed in the Falklands, which must have been more than a bit disconcerting for the locals. If I'd been there during the Argentine occupation, the last thing I'd want to hear would be the Argentine national anthem, and the last thing I'd want to see would be cars driving on the right!

Available on Britbox

[andrew-york80 · 8/10 · 28 July 2023]

I was still a school when the invasion occurred and I recall watching this movie when it came out and was keen to watch it again once I subscribed to BritBox. Its as good as I remember and worth watching as it depicts how the conflict started and forms part of our history. It feels accurate although the humour is perhaps a little outdated, and the acting is good on both sides. It's amazing how few people died in the initial invasion but of course what followed was a different story altogether.

Politically the issue is still contested by Argentina, but hopefully we won't see a repeat anytime..

A moving yet humorous story of a prelude to tragedy

[Jonno-1 · 10/10 · 10 April 2001]

Fine performances by Ian Richardson and Bob Peck underpin this gripping and moving account of the first days of the 1982 Falklands War, as the Islands are invaded by the Argentinians. As Governor Rex Hunt, Richardson brings a nobility and sympathy to the role of a minor, passed-over British diplomat abandoned by his government in London and faced with the impossible task of directing the defence of the islands against an imminent invasion. The defending British Marines are commanded by Major Mike Norman (Bob Peck), an experienced, cynical soldier aware he will have to fight against impossible odds, yet determined to resist for the honour of the Royal Marines. His speech to his men on the eve of battle is a moving and inspiring moment.

The accuracy and the attention to detail in this movie is explained by much of the filming taking place in the Falklands, and Mike Norman himself acting as military adviser. The combat scenes are intense and graphic, yet emphasis is also placed on the black humour and irreverence so integral to military life, demonstrating the irrepressible character of the British Marines.

The attention to the Argentinian side is less three-dimensional, but the enemy soldiers are largely portrayed as human beings, unlike so many flag-waving war movies.

The Falkland Islanders appear as eccentric figures, bemused by the events which have overtaken their forgotten corner of the south Atlantic. The local radio presenter in particular is a gem, refusing politely to accede to Argentinian threats as a gun is held to his head. Apparently, after this film was released in the UK, some islanders disassociated themselves from their portrayal in the movie, but contemporary accounts by soldiers and journalists who served in the Falklands during and after the war would seem to lend credence to the impression that these transplanted Brits are indeed an odd bunch.

The savage and tragic war to retake the islands in the months that followed has tended to overshadow the story of the invasion itself, but this thoughtful movie provides a fine testament to the courage and steadfastness of the outnumbered, yet unflappable, British soldier, and is an accurate and thoughtful study of a near-forgotten episode of recent history.

True to life, realistic and a great film alround

[TheAnalogKid · 10/10 · 4 February 2004]

Even if you never never heard of the Falklands War of 1982, you really need to watch this film. It was all filmed in and around Government House, Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands..

The film is fantastic, very authentic even down to the weapons used at the time.. Some great one liners, great dialogue and good action.

I highly recommend this movie! 5/5

A 'stand out' movie - Pace, Characters, Excitement - Immersive

[mark-sheriff · 10/10 · 9 September 2013]

So I give it 10 stars - as I write, rated 7.2 from 224 votes - this says it all.

If you have found your way here, and are thinking of watching this film, then don't think twice, regardless of your nationality (including Argentinian/Spanish/South American), this is a great film.

You can watch it with anyone from around 11 years old upwards - even with your granny, and everybody will enjoy the fully immersive experience, that introduces you to, and embeds you in....

... another way of living your life. A strange, yet not strange, life of Britishness in the deep South Atlantic. (so much so that afterwards, many Argentine soldiers talked of the culture shock of fighting for a land that they thought was Argentina, but possessed nothing of Argentina).

But this is NO 'slow build up to ten minutes of action'. 'Action' is pregnant in the air; it comes thick and fast, and the birth isn't easy.

Death is not pleasant at the best of times.... but when it's slow, and just a few feet away from you... yet somehow 'understandable', almost 'normal' (somebody to avoid as you dash for cover... yet not notice because you're dashing for cover).

History itself dealt the perfect cards for this movie, with the threads of island life portrayed in parallel to the bombshell 'last minute knowledge' that an invading force was just a few hours away....

... and the fight was going to be deadly.

You can believe the almost incomprehensible scenario of a foreign power 'actually invading British territory in 1982'.

The shock of this is temporarily diminished, due to the island's size and location (though those thoughts are quickly cast aside by the real life protocols mixed with real life 'tea and cakes'.)

How would the Governor react? The Royal Marines? The population?

We immediately learn the answer to those questions.

The tension ramps up, and the viewer is carried on a wave that is most definitely going to crash.

Everybody knows the conclusion to the Falklands war... but we don't know how this story will end.

Engrossing, intimate, comical, enlightening, violent, sad, joyous, gritty. This movie has it all in spades (along with a pre-fight speech that is all the more awesome by the fact that it was actually delivered to the troops).

At the end (in the wrap)... well... look into the eyes of Major Mike Norman (Bob Peck)... what horrors did he see, when he went back, to re-take the Falklands.

After watching this film.... don't delay.... make sure you watch 'The Falklands Play' to discover what was happening in London at the same time.

Enjoy and reflect.

Excellent film with superb performance by Ian Richardson.

[hedgehog-10 · 10/10 · 27 February 1999]

Ian Richardson is excellent in the role of the Islands Governor. A well paced and directed film with excellent special effects, costuming, scripting and direction.

where to find on vhs or dvd.

[dinoangeloni · 10/10 · 21 September 2002]

this film was simply awesome, it captured the shock and surprise of what happened superbly. the cast were fantastic too. however, im disappointed that as far as im aware it has only been screened once, i have tried every avenue possible to track this film on video or dvd. it must exist somewhere, if it does could you tell me where please, or of any plans for future release or showing. i would love to see it again, even better own a copy,

yours hopefully dino angeloni.

Just very British, so just very good

[spamobile · 10/10 · 11 November 2011]

A must see. A normal movie based on as we all know a true story. It's a human story, not like most movies seem to be nowadays all about the ridiculous unrealistic exploding car turning machine gun fire nobody killing action. It's about life how it was and how the locals experienced the events taking place. The story line as pictured says it all really. Having been to the Falklands numerous times it's easy to recognize the town, the buildings, the way the people just are, how British they are and proud of it. The movie has besides some well filmed action, where even the proudest and bravest sh.. in their pants of fear, also a lot of humor and just real life stories in it. The tension of the few days the movie covers is very well depicted, you feel one with the characters, you feel like if you were there at the time. And, it's the Falkland Islands, not the M....... as the Argentinians keep trying to make us say. The history of who would have the rights to these islands point to many different directions, but not to Argentina.

Fantastic film - much underrated

[brian-cromack-1 · 10/10 · 7 May 2022]

User - "dinoangeloni" - I have this on DVD - leave a message if you still interested in owning it (20 years later).

A recreation of the first 36 hours of the Falklands conflict. Bob Peck plays Major Mike Norman, who has only recently arrived on the island to take over from Major Noot. Ian Richardson is Governor Sir Rex Hunt, who has only 70 Royal Marines to see off the entire Argentinian invasion fleet. Amid the confusion, several of the islanders simply go about their daily business; one lady offers the Marines tea over her garden fence.