Mrs. Miniver

Mrs. Miniver was a fictional English housewife created by Jan Struther in 1937 for a series of newspaper columns for The Times, later adapted into a movie.

Film adaptation

The film adaptation of Mrs. Miniver was produced by MGM in 1942 with Greer Garson in the leading role and William Wyler directing. Under the influence of the American Office of War Information, the film attempted to undermine Hollywood's prewar depiction of England as a glamorous bastion of social privilege, anachronistic habits and snobbery in favour of more democratic, modern images. To this end, the social status enjoyed by the Miniver family in the print version was downgraded and increased attention was given to the erosion of class barriers under the pressures of wartime.

Related Topics:
MGM - 1942 - Greer Garson - William Wyler - Office of War Information - England

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The film exceeded all expectations, grossing $5,358,000 in North America (the highest for any MGM film at the time) and $3,520,000 abroad. In Britain, it was named the top box office attraction of 1942. 555 of the 592 film critics polled by American magazine Film Daily named it the best film of 1942.

Related Topics:
North America - Britain - Film Daily

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Although not as 'socially privileged" as in the book, the film version of Mrs. Miniver is still presented as living a comfortable life at a house called Starlings; not in inner London but in an outer suburb along the river Thames. The house has a large garden with a private landing stage on the river and a motorboat. Her husband Clem (despite his American accent) is a successful English architect; they have several live-in staff and a son at University.

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As World War 2 looms, the eldest son Vin comes down from university and meets Carol Beldon, grand-daughter of Lady Beldon, a very stiff-upper-lip aristocrat from nearby Beldon Hall. Despite initial disagreements, they fall in love and eventually marry. As the war comes closer to home, Vin feels he must do his bit and joins the Royal Air Force as a pilot. When qualified, he is posted to a station close to his parents home. Clem takes his motorboat to assist in the Dunkirk evacuations. Left alone at home, Mrs. Miniver finds a wounded German pilot in her garden. She feeds him, then calmly disarms him and calls the police.

Related Topics:
Royal Air Force - Dunkirk - German

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The town is heavily bombed and whilst Vin is away with his squadron, Carol is killed by a stray bullet. The local inhaitants assemble at the badly damaged church and affirm thir determination to fight on and defend their way of life.

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