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A Review of "Leslie Howard: The Man Who Gave a Damn"

On 1st June 1943, over the Bay of Biscay, eight German Junkers shot down a commercial aircraft flying from Lisbon to Bristol. All thirteen on board died. After what must have been just a few brief, but terrifying, moments of violent gunfire, flames and smoke, the swirling, inhospitable seas claimed one of its most famous and nobly heroic victims -- Leslie Howard.

The German pilots returned to base, their grim orders carried out to the letter. The only sign of their destruction, a plume of steam hovering over the waves. The worlds of cinema and theatre had lost one of its finest and most glamorous talents; England and her Allies had lost a patriotically committed voice, and two children had lost a loving and devoted father.

It is this latter, family element that shines through most brightly and touches one’s heart in Tom Hamilton’s masterly ninety minute documentary on the life of the film star. Of course, the actors glittering career is all here. From post-First World War stage successes in London and New York to his early roles in Hollywood in films such as ‘Outward Bound’ and ‘The Petrified Forest’ which would in due course lead on to classics such as ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ and ‘Pygmalion’.

But Hamilton’s documentary begins, as it surely must, with an in-depth analysis of the part and film for which Howard is most famous, but as we are entertainingly informed here, liked the least--Ashley Wilkes in ‘Gone With The Wind’.

There is much previously unseen film footage to be enjoyed in ‘The Man Who Gave A Damn’ which surprisingly manages to give the documentary an incredibly fresh and almost modern feel. The myriad interviews with former colleagues of the star, and others also with a professional interest, help to keep the story moving along with energy, humour and compassion.

But there are three strands to this biography that Hamilton weaves together that transport it to a different class of film star documentary altogether. Firstly, the use of generous helpings of home-movie footage, none of which I can remember ever having seen before. This is then linked skilfully with extensive interviews with Howard’s daughter, Doodie. Without question, it is she who provides the very special emotional core of the film. And finally, and this must be Hamilton’s greatest stroke of genius, there is Derek Partridge as narrator and interviewer. This is the same Derek Partridge who, as a young boy, was asked to give up his seat on Flight 777 from Lisbon to Bristol, so that Leslie Howard might take it in his place. Appropriately, Partridge, remains a shadowy presence. It is Howard’s story, and both Partridge and Hamilton never allow it to become anything else. Even at the very end, as Partridge recalls his innocent involvement in Howard’s final meeting with destiny, the overall tone is restrained, understated. Just as it should be when dealing with a man like Leslie Howard.

George Cukor once commented, ‘Leslie Howard was mysterious in a very odd way and his death was mysterious too. He sort of went off in a cloud and one never knew what happened to him’.

He was right. By disappearing in that dreadful cloud of fire and smoke, in death Leslie Howard ultimately managed to ‘out-Pimpernel’ even one of his most famous creations, Sir Percy Blakeney.

But even Blakeney’s heroics would not have been enough to bring Howard back from those deathly waters. But then, he hasn’t had to. Because now, almost seventy years later, Tom Hamilton has done just that. For ninety sublime, moving and compelling minutes, the Bay of Biscay’s inhospitable waves have parted, the steam and smoke subsided, and the enigmatic and mysterious Leslie Howard is with us once more.

 

MARK BURGESS 

Playwright -- Interviewee

Latest News

Tuesday
Feb262013

TO ALL LESLIE HOWARD FANS!

DateTuesday, February 26, 2013 at 07:27PM
Please check out the link below to the Kickstarter campaign which Repo Films launched on Sunday, February 17th to raise the necessary funds to enable "The Man who Gave a Damn" to be released publicly. Kickstarter runs on a very sound principal:  Regardless of what amount an individual pledges to a project, nothing comes out of their account until the end of the campaign period (in our case March 14th.)  Furthermore, if a project DOES NOT achieve the target it set out to reach (no matter how close), it receives nothing and nothing is taken from the Pledger’s accounts. So it effectively ensures that funds pledged will lead to completed projects.
As you will discover checking out our site, Repo Films has been working to complete this and "The Mystery of Flight 777" for six years now, and this campaign (which runs till March 14th) is really make or break as far as "The Man Who Gave a Damn" is concerned. 
If we don't raise the funds by March 14th, we will lose the Warners deal, which will greatly reduce the scope of the film. We're 9% there so far (as of Sunday, February 24th, which isn't bad at this stage of the campaign), but we need to get the word out and pledges in. 
Anything you can do will be much appreciated.
Watch the video and checkout the rewards we're offering.  These are all unique artifacts which any fan of Leslie's would want to own, and this gives you that chance.  Even if you are unable to contribute, you can still help, by telling your family, your friends, and people at work even who love old films. See and hear the whole story - so far - for yourself… and perhaps YOU'LL become part of it.

 

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Wednesday
Jan092013

Leslie Ruth Howard Passes Away

DateWednesday, January 9, 2013 at 06:52PM

 

January 9th 2013: A sad day indeed. Early this morning I received an email from Fenella Howard telling me of the passing of her beloved Aunt Doodie - yesterday afternoon, peacefully in her sleep. Whilst the news was not unexpected - Doodie had been ill for some time - it was still a truly saddening piece of news. 
As much as Leslie, her father, was unique amongst movie stars - so Doodie was one unique lady - funny, irreverent, kindly, occasionally scathing and a true Brit. No one who met her or got to know this remarkable lady will ever forget her - for myself and Tracy meeting Doodie proved to be life changing. I treasure the friendship that developed between us and my heartfelt condolences go to her many family members.

Tom Hamilton, Repo Films

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Friday
Sep092011

BBC News Report on "Leslie Howard: The Man Who Gave a Damn" Premiere

DateFriday, September 9, 2011 at 12:53PM

Author[Your Name Here] | Comment7 Comments | Reference1 Reference |
Friday
Jul082011

“Leslie Howard: The Man Who Gave a Damn” to Debut September 2nd

DateFriday, July 8, 2011 at 11:59AM

Press conference and debut to be held at Howard's former home

Tom Hamilton's feature length documentary “Leslie Howard: The Man Who Gave a Damn” will be screened in the cinema room at Howard's former home in Dorking, Surrey. The long-awaited screening will coincide with a press conference and the unveiling of a plaque in Howard's honor at Stowe Maries.

The film, five years in the making, looks at the life, career and passions of Leslie Howard, best known for his role in “Gone With the Wind.” While chronicling his Hollywood film and New York stage careers, it also reveals much of the informal Leslie through never-before-seen home movies and the memories of his surviving daughter Doodie. The film also takes an in-depth look at this role and importance in the British war effort and the events leading up to his disappearance in 1943.

 The narrator of the film is Derek Partridge, in whose life Leslie played a brief but incredibly important role. Partridge, who was seven years old at the time, gave up his seat on the ill-fated flight on June 1st 1943 so Howard could have a seat. This brings a poignant and personal feel to the story.

After the launch of the film in September, “Leslie Howard: The Man Who Gave a Damn” will be entered into key film festivals and will be shown in the United States on Turner Classic Movies.

 

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Wednesday
Sep152010

Leslie Howard Personal Film Footage Found by Documentary Maker

DateWednesday, September 15, 2010 at 09:47AM

 

The Guardian, September 12, 2010

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/sep/12/leslie-howard-found-footage

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