“MONS”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 1 December 1927, Page 3

“MONS”

A GREAT PICTURE AT HASTINGS AGAIN TO-NIGHT. Proof of the intense realishm of this magnificent British fiim at present being shown in the Municipal Theatre was given last night in the remark made by a lady who expressed the opinion that the camera-man must have been extraordinarily courageous to carry on his work unewr such dangerous circumstances. She had to be convinced that the picture represented a re-enactment, and not real war. The touches of really British humour—a tremendous relief from the ail too familiar American brandserved to bring into more ghastly relief the horrors endured bv the gallant “Old Contemptibles.” It is an epic story, grandly conceived and magnificent!.- portrayed. The indomitable pluck and endurance of men tried to the limit of human power; the unforgettable impression of the rolling grey tides of a ml--lessly advancing enemy; individual resource and initiative; the immortal “L” Battery; these are abiding impressions of a film which, as it goes around the country, is doing not only national but international service in the cause of peace. Keen observers with experience of war might have noted minor discrepancies, such as Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders appearing in headgear that has belonged from time immemorial to the Gay Gordons, but on the whole the incidents displayed were gripping and moving at the same time. From a cable recentlv to hand we learnatliat an unusual letter having reference to the toy drum used to rouse the tired men at Le Cateau. has been sent by the British Army Council to a German citizen Herr F. F, Eeiffe. of Hamburg, thanking him for a friendly act in returning a drum lost by the Second Battalion, Sutherland Highlanders, at Le Cateau. during the British retreat from Mons in the Great War. The film shows the Sutherland Highlanders after a long march. Their drum is lost. The officer in charge dashes into a French shop and secures a tov drum and whistle. With these he leads the battalion, which follows him with renewed energy. Herr Eiffe had become quite honoitrablv possessed of the drum, having been given it by Major Goswin Van Haag., of the 21th Railway Constructional Company, whose men had found it in a thicket near Roye. He saw the film, was touched by it, and has sent the drum back with a courteous message to the Sutherland Highlanders’ regimental depot at Perth, Scotland. Thus German and Britisher are forgetting their feud. An army council that was formed for war has not missed the opportunity given it by Herr Eiffe to become the channel for a message or peace. It is understood that all Maori War veterans, and all men possessing Mons ribbons are invited to the picture this evening, and afterwards to meet Bombardier Jenkins, who fired the -first shell.