"HIGH TREASON."

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19854, 15 February 1930, Page 7

"HIGH TREASON."

* DRAMA OF THE FUTURE. BRITISH TALKIE AT CIVIC. Audiences at the Civic Theatre during the current programme will realise with some satisfaction that the British producers' entry into the new tie.d of the "talkies is an auspicious one "High Treason" is outstanding in its dramatic power, and has a deptn of°appeal that could be accomplished only by British thoroughness and attention to detail The leading players are Bemta Hume and Jameson Thomas, and by their performances in this film they must surely establish themselveß as "etarS" of the first magnitude. In its first few scenes last night, Civic patrons were convinced that this was something new, and as the great spectacle unfolded the full reality of the thing overwhelmed the audience. The power of the now art of the talking screen has been felt in its entirety for the first time. The spectuior is transported to the year 1940. The world and iB civilisation have changed a great deal. Mechanical devices, architecture, clothing, and, more important still, weapons of war, have been developed j to a degree that is remarkable. The old patriotism of the native flag has evaporated into thin air, and the population ox the i world has been collected into two great groups. In the west are the Federated Atlontic States. In the east are the United States of Europe. Submerged in these mighty Powers are all the old racial conflicts and national hatreds, whilst above them is a vast spiritual organisation, exercising its influence over every friend and foe. The Peace League has evolved spontaneously, to hold the balance of power, and to prevent any repetition of the hideous wars that have marred the past. It is significant that, dlespite this temporal metamorphosis, the nature of man has not changed; he still carries the brand of Cain on his biceps, and he i» afraid of himself and what he is capable of doing. Only too soon comes the test. There is a "frontier incident, and a world-war is threatened. . The audience is now introduced to Major Michael Deane, who holds high rank in the European Air Force. Lean, handsome, the embodiment of what a flying officer should be. he sits in his London headquarters the control of a vast organisation at h:s fingertip*. He is very much in love with life, and with Evelyn, the enthusiastic d au K ht " of Dr. Seymour, the Vicar-General of the Peace League. Thus are the two extremes brought together in the ago-old fashion, with the inevitable consequence. Benita Hume, as Evelyn, and J n ™ e » on Thomas, as Deane. act their parts »'th »n usual Intensity. The production of the film, by Maurice Elvey. demonstrates how a clever superimposition of fancy on 'act can result in an effect of undeniable The television apparatus and other (ieviceß of the future leave the imnression that they are absolutely real. "High Treason" is • that Christchurch could ill-afford to miss.