CORONATION EPIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 99, 28 April 1937, Page 3

CORONATION EPIC.

"THE KING'S PEOPLE." A memorable record of the change from British Empire to British Commonwealth of Nations, and of the sovereigns who saw the change, is contained in a film. "The King's People," which was privately screened yesterday at the -Embassy lheatl !f in con i«»netion with "Green Light." Both films are to begin a season to-morrow. Aβ a Coronation epic, "The icings People" has been produced on a serioue scale with the help ot leading men and women in England, and it is the type of film which will swell the pride of those who belong to the British Common wealth. It is a good dead more than the hastilyassembled, stereotyped and scrappy productions of which a good many were seen on the occasions of Royal events during the past few years. Prepared by the late Mr. John Drinkwater, who takes an active part in the actual screen, it is original in theme and has a striking appeal. It is stirring without being loaded with sentimentality, and its presentation of the pageant of Empire in 37 years is entertainingly injected with interviews by John Drinkwater with such, famous people as George Bernard Shaw, the late Sir Austen Chamberlain and Lady Astor, each of whom voices inspiring confidence in the future of the British countries. The actual record of the sovereigns and their people begins with scenes from the end of Victoria's reign, and passes then to Edward VII. to show the new and strengthening contact between King and people, and the growing bond of equality between the wideflung members of the Empire—a bond made firmer by the Great War and the noble reign of George V. The post-war boom, the depression, the return of prosperity, the illness and death of George V. and the brief rule of Edward VIII. lead the story to the beginning of the reign of George VI. and Elizabeth. The thousands who were moved by the dramatic force of the outstanding film, "Magnificent Obsession," should find an equally strong appeal in "Green Light." , whose story is by the same author, Lloyd C. Douglas, it is of a young and brilliant surgeon, splendidly portrayed by Errol Flynn, who gives up his career when he virtually accepts responsibility for a fatal slip of the knife in an operation. Excellent support is given by Anita Louise, Margaret Lindsay and Sir Cedric Hardwicke.