The low budget British B film of the 30's is a much derided genre and conventional wisdom has it they did much to damage the image and prestige of the domestic film industry. But, as in any genre, there was scope for the occasional gem by an innovative writer and director. This is one such example. When most British films of the time - and for a long while afterwards - invariably consist of long dragging master shots, THE LAST JOURNEY is composed of rapid fire editing and quick, inventive clips that ratchet up the tension. There are occasional striking compositions through the fiery opening to the train's furnace as the deranged driver goes about his business. There are a motley group of passengers each with their own soap-opera problems. One such is Judy Gumm - a strikingly attractive British ingénue whose career promised much but went nowhere after she married a short time later. Another group of con men and woman have to deal with an inconvenient - and unconscious - detective - who turns a blind eye to them at the end and allows them to escape. There are several high tensions scenes of the engineer escaping across the roof's of the carriages and the Doctor who clambers into the cab to use psychology to calm the insane driver.
This comes close to being a B British disaster movie and its helter skelter editing - no scene seems to last longer than a minute - maintains a hectic pace that leaves the viewer on the edge of his seat. It's a worthy example of how to make something out of very little and a lesson to British filmmakers everywhere. Few of the actors on display will be familiar - except for Godfey Tearle as the heroic Doctor who later crops up in ONE OF OUR AIRCRAFT IS MISSING. The extensive location shooting provides an intriguing glimpse of a lost prewar world. Two excellent books are worth mentioning. QUOTA QUICKIES by Steve Chibnall for the BFI amply demonstrates just how much wheat there was amongst the chaff of the prewar British B film - and some surprising names eg Errol Flynn - and THE UNKNOWN 30'S edited by Jeffrey Richards has a whole chapter devoted to Bernard Vorhaus.
This comes close to being a B British disaster movie and its helter skelter editing - no scene seems to last longer than a minute - maintains a hectic pace that leaves the viewer on the edge of his seat. It's a worthy example of how to make something out of very little and a lesson to British filmmakers everywhere. Few of the actors on display will be familiar - except for Godfey Tearle as the heroic Doctor who later crops up in ONE OF OUR AIRCRAFT IS MISSING. The extensive location shooting provides an intriguing glimpse of a lost prewar world. Two excellent books are worth mentioning. QUOTA QUICKIES by Steve Chibnall for the BFI amply demonstrates just how much wheat there was amongst the chaff of the prewar British B film - and some surprising names eg Errol Flynn - and THE UNKNOWN 30'S edited by Jeffrey Richards has a whole chapter devoted to Bernard Vorhaus.