Far from Perfect, Far from Terrible

Absolutely Fantastic

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Every actor is excellent in this film, and this includes the taunting bullies when Geordie is a boy; they are also good when when they gawk at Geordie the conquering hero comes home. The message is simple, the film elegant in conveying it. Don't tease the hungry kitten who may grow up to be the hungry lion in the Colosseum. Every man I know who saw this film as a boy in the 1950s remembered it vividly to his dying day. I even knew Germans who saw it, a bit later, who also got the message that their Nazi fathers did not. Geordie is, of course, a boys' film; but in 93 minutes it conveys more about growing up to be men than Little Women does to girls about growing up to be women (if only because boys have more energy to control). I hope Prince William of Wales has seen this film in England; he'll become a better King of Scotland for it. Perhaps it's about Britain, America, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand too; united we stand, divided we fall -- and everyone of us must do his bit. Is that really "sentimental"? or is it really what we all strive for? This is not just a good film; it's an essential film. It's the oatmeal of a good diet, the essence of simplicity's complexity, and complexity's simplicity. It's about growing up to become an admirable, worldly hero, instead of lagging behind to become the ignorant, ignoble town bullies. It's about how we we won WWII, stoodu p to the Communist empire, and will drag China onto our side. It encourages boys to make the best decision, however unpopular it may be. Good book, good play, excellent film. Sometimes a great film is composed of small, earthy, simple elements of noble purpose. This is one of those little films that's really big because it follows aspirations and accomplishes nobility.

I'm a big fan of Gilliat/Launder movies, and also of Alastair Sim. I expected the usual quirky, sparkling Ealing comedy, but instead got a slow-moving, barely interesting story which seems like something written for a kiddies' magazine.In a way, it's sort of like CHARIOTS OF FIRE, but without the imagination, sharp script & interesting actors. A long-shot Scot gets his chance at the Olympics, but argues with the authorities about a matter of principle.Sim is wasted in a two-dimensional role, but even so, he stands out from the rest of the cast, which is strictly one-dimensional. The color photography is dull and lifeless, to match the script. The happy ending comes about an hour too late.

*** THIS COMMENT MAY CONTAIN A SPOILER*** this film is one of the best I have seen from that era in fact from a lot of era's . the tale of a wee skinny Scots lad growing up to represent us in the Olympics in the hammer throwing is fantastic , its a movie all the family can enjoy from wee skinny Scots lads to strapping men from all over the globe , nobody can fail to love it . Its got the lot , sadness , happiness and even romance for the girls with a little touch of excitement ( the car scene ). I only wish it was out on DVD , so whoever is in charge of making old films into DVD's get your finger out it is a must for everyones collection , it will get a new audience loving it as much as us older folks . Either that or re release it in the movie matinée

Wee Geordie is an undersized lad who spends his savings on a physical culture course to increase his height and improve his strength. So successful is he that he is chosen in later years to represent Britain in the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games and as a consequence wins gold in the hammer throw.Such a simple tale with a message to youngsters that a goal can be achieved through sheer perseverance. Bill Travers plays the lead role as Geordie with a dour expression which breaks into a winning smile when things go right for him. Jean (Nora Gorsen) his companion since childhood urges him to accept the Olympic challenge and provides the romantic interest. Alistair Sim as the laird does well in a comic character role (as always). Francis de Wolff as Samson who prepares the correspondence courses for Geordie is a loud and aggressive character who takes all the credit for Geordie's success. There is a genuinely funny scene at the railway station when he farewells Geordie on his trip to Australia.The dialogue is very simple and unsophisticated. It is spoken slowly and clearly and fortunately the Scottish accent can be understood. The colour photography has a washed out look and shows how much the technology has advanced in the last 40 years or so.A nice little family film that will gladden the heart of any wee laddie or lassie.