This was the last co-production of the famous Archers, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, after twenty years of perhaps the most interesting and rewarding cinematic collaboration in film history, producing mainly only masterpieces. This last one is a war story in black and white but replenished with the usual Archers' brilliance, wit and good humour, so it is very entertaining. The most glorious part of the film however is the participation of all the local Greeks, and you get wonderful insights into the Greek and Cretan way of life. There are many parties in this film, and they are all hilarious and sparkling. Mikis Theodorakis provided equally sparkling Greek music, and the cinematography, like in all their films, is as impressive as ever. It's a great story of the resistance and freedom fighters, and for once in a war film there are no casualties, at least no visible ones. You hear some gun fire and hear of some results, but that is all. For a war film, it is a smooth exit number of perhaps the greatest partnership in film making.
Review of Night Ambush
Night Ambush
(1957)
A pitiable German general finding himself kidnapped in Greece by Cretans and Englishmen
8 September 2023