“WORLD MOVES ON.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20483, 8 December 1934, Page 29 (Supplement)

“WORLD MOVES ON.”

Magnificent Piece of Filmcraft. “ The World Moves On,” whi'ch opened at the Regent Theatre today, must rank as one of the major achievements of the audible screen. It is a magnificent piece of filmcraft. Few talking pictures have had more potent factors for success: it was written by Reginald Berkeley, adapter of “ Cavalcade ” and author of “ Berkeley Square”; it has distinguished players in the main parts; and it was produced by Fox Films, the makers of “ Cavalcade.” “ The World Moves On” is the saga of a family pledged to unity through a century of civilisation rent by militarism and the lust for power. Through it all there is the story of a love which, blighted in one generation, lives anew nearly 100 years later. It is a broad canvas, indeed. but never does the brush of Reginald Berkeley falter as he paints an impressive and sometimes terrifying picture of a civilisation run riot. Then there follows a hectic panorama of a world gripped by militar-

ism. It is an awe-inspiring kaleidoscope. From this note, horribly but effectively grim, the film turns to the Christian religion as a spark of hope in a world of nationalism run mad. Although the tremendous sweep of the plot dominates the film, some brilliant acting is contributed by the principal players. In her first American film, Madeleine Carroll, the beautiful English actress of “ I Was a Spy,” brings a fragile and almost ethereal loveliness to the part of the woman whose love and devotion finally gain their j reward. Her performance is flawless. Box plans at the D.I.C.