GLORIOUS NAVAL EPIC

Northern Advocate, 29 September 1926, Page 5

GLORIOUS NAVAL EPIC

BOTTLING UP ZEEBRUGGE'. PICTURE TONIGHT. NThere have been numerous historical events reconstructed and shown on the moving picture screens. Some have ■been excellent but in others there has been too much use of imagination in striving after thrilling effect. Moreover, in certain of those pictures the incidents have been depicted in accordance with historical records which may not be quite in full keeping with what actually happened. Sufih is not the ease in regard to the official film of the storming of Zeebrugge, which is to be shown in the Lyceum Theatre this evening, and at a. matinee tomorrow afternoon. With such a subject to work upon, what need was there for the introduction of imaginary episodes to make it thrilling? What chance of failure to make an accurate record when the Admiralty supplied the recorded derails and placed its hall-mark on the Sim? There can be no straining after far-fetched effect and’ thdsc who have seen the picture consider'if one of the inost naturally'acted films which has yet been shown .in, New Zealand. This -■flct.has been made possible because glorious ‘‘Vindictive” and r the other craft which-took part in the wonderful exploit, and also many of the survivors of the heroic dash, figure in the picture. The pictorial record is in a" way a national treasure. To -view it ,is almost a national duty for all who feel justifiable pride in belonging to an Empire which is capable bf impressing the nations of the world as the Royal Navy did when it stormed ‘‘Zeebrugge,” and, in the 'typically nautical wording of Captain ‘Carner.ter, who commanded the “Vindictive.” they “gave * the dragon’s tail a damned good twist.” That*signal to the Admiral deserves to be ■perpetuated with Nelson’s famous mes■saro to the fleet at Trafalgar,■■for at .’Zeebrugge every man did the duty 'England expected, and a great deal more than other nations believed possible.