STATE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 July 1940, Page 2

STATE THEATRE

o “FOR FREEDOM.” * The large audience at the State Theatre last night thrilled to the brilliant scenes presented in the outstanding patriotic picture “For Freedom.” It told a story of particular interest to the people of Masterton because of the part which the Achilles took in the River Plate battle. With the glorious exploits of the British Navy resounding throughout the world, there could be no more timely moment for the presentation of “For Freedom.” Because of its topical interest, this production, which was filmed with the co-operation of the British Admiralty and in a minimum of time, has been rushed to Australia by Air Mail for immediate screening. Amongst its many outstanding features are thrilling reconstructions of the River Plate battle and the rescue of the Altmark prisoners with the actual officers and men who took part in those naval engagements, re-enacting their own experiences. The history of “For Freedom's” production and the lucky breaks which attended its filming, makes a story almost as enthralling as the film itself. Sitting in the Gaumont-British Newsreel’s private theatrette late last December. Castleton Knight watched on the screen the scuttled sinking of the Graf Spec. There and then was born the idea of “For Freedom.” Knight lost no time in setting his plan before C. M. Woolf, one of Britain’s most astute film producers, who readily agreed that the idea promised something really excellent in screen entertainment. The cooperation of the Admiralty was .obtained and wheels immediately set in motion for its production. This film commences in a newsreel office in London just before Munich'! Will Fyffe, as the editor, has the idea of a film re-telling events between the end of the last war and the beginning of this. The picture portrays these actual events, and then the news is received of the River Plate Battle. Here is the very theme this newsreel genius has been waiting for, and so woven into the fabric of this film are Captain Dove, of the S.S. “Africa Shell;” Captain. Pottinger of the A.A. “Ashlea;” First-Officer Murphy and Engineers Walker and Angel, of the S.S. “Tairoa;” British seamen prisoners on the “Altmark,” and •officers of the “Ajax,” “Achilles,” and “Exeter,” who figured in the thrilling Montevideo fight scenes. The audience, thrilled with the exciting scenes presented to them in “For Freedom,”—many of them showing actual fighting at sea and others reconstructed with the authority of the British Admiralty—frequently broke out in cheers. It was a magnificent patriotic picture with a strong vein of comedy and clearly showed the great power and pluck of the British Navy. The supporting programme was of outstanding quality and was a fitting prelude to the main picture. The programme will be presented again 'ionight.