The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp - Essay Example

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp Movies are the most characteristic approaches to portray history. They are characteristic of depicting revelations from past accounts and implying a quick and knowledgeable understanding on the occurrence of events. The movie, “The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp”, presents events that occurred in 1902-1943, surrounding the life of a British soldier named Candy. The movie narrates of controversial events surrounding the actual life of Candy from the military service to the ideal human life, which involves the ethical need to live an identical live with other human beings. The following discussion reflects on the events that occurred in the life of Colonel Blimp (Candy) during his tenure in the British army, with relevance to the actual situation at the time (Moor, 2012:45). The British cinematography intended to produce the movie for public viewing as of the year 1943. However, government interventions harbored the intended progress arguing that it contained sophisticated information that would not be allowed to the public as it belonged to the government. Colonel Blimp, characterized by Lieutenant Candy, is a borrowing from David Low’s artistic representations that conveyed militarized stories of a soldier who reflected an extend of stupidity in his decisions (Street, 2005:46). As observed with Candy, the degree of stupidity is undoubtedly high to the extent that he leads his battalion regiment in most weird ways. For instance, after receiving news that a battle would probably erupt in the night, Candy reacts promptly in readiness of the battle. He carries out a military test to kidnap and imprison some of his seniors without any authority (Moor, 2012). However, his intentions target of ensuring the junior officers that in conducting a successful test, they would probably win in the expected battle. With clear confidence of a win in the battle, they intrude the general’s sauna in a spacious and equally protected building. Candy expresses to his general that he was conducting a test and that he had fallen a victim. The general gimmicks Candy’s confidence as he questions him in the act, whereby Candy recites his wish to win in the forthcoming battle (Connelly, 2005:47). This reflects an act of aggression but on the contrary remains inconsistent with the law since military orders emanate from the highest ranked individual in the hierarchy. Therefore, Lieutenant Candy exceeds his authority but argues out that the exercise would be a motivation and a guarantee that the British would win the battle. Through his unexpected raid at the general’s house, Candy indicates his insatiable interest in winning the battle and assures his subjects that they shall pursue the enemy before the declaration of the battle (Moor, 2012:48). The approach to the battle portrays the unethical tactics that the British government endured on in combating their enemies during the first and second world wars. The general warns Candy over the untimely invasions citing that they should not advance or strike in the battlefield unless authorities declare the war officially. Colonel Blimp declines to the idea and challenges his superior without showing respect to the rank. The two argue out on the best process but Candy declines and insults his general as one filled with cowardice and lacking the spirit of aggression. The general feels humiliated and retaliates to the youthful lieutenant telling him that he would realize of how stupid a youth is in his olden days. Finally, they engage in a fight and eventually the general draws Candy into the pool. As Candy swims out of the pool, he is older and in accordance to the hospitality drawn towards him, it is easier to establish that he is highly ranked in the army. Currently, Candy seems to have a denial on military duties and continuously has cultivated comical aspects instead of the serious military role model. Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger write the movie in a way that they portray the characters in different roles during their lives. For instance, Colonel Blimp represents an aggressive character in accordance to the passion shown towards battles and a stupid character as he defies order while expressing his controversial thoughts (Connelly, 2005:49). Different scenes in the movie reflect Candy as an individual with the spirit of adventure and one full of challenging styles. For example, he visits German after receiving a letter that acknowledges him for his bravery and aggression in battles. While in German, Blimp meets several English speakers and befriends them with an aim of securing his sole benefits. Through his nature, he provokes a German citizen of a high profile rank by playing a song that he had heard during his jail sentence in the British army. The German commands that the music should alt and Candy rests assured that the individual was a British prisoner (Moor, 2012:54). Candy contests and challenges the German soldier, Theo Kretschmar-Schuldorff, to the extent that they engage in a fight. Edith, the politically-minded lady and Candy’s probable future wife, tries to resolve the fight by trying to make them understand that their fight is not justified since it emanates from misconception of information. Both rivals could only speak English and German respectively thus; the continuous argument between the two reflected on the language barrier between them. Edith and a German counterpart try to resolve the issue by interpreting the opponents’ statements (Hunter, 2010:55). However, the German focuses on drawing Candy and Theo into a fight, while Edith avoids the negative sentiments from their statements and interprets on the better part of the statement. Theo shows emotions to Edith, and Candy misinterprets them for sexual advancements with the lack of knowledge that the two had an affair. Candy turns furious through the occurrence of events and eventually insults the German army as inferior to that of Britain (Street, 2005:50). Eventually, the German authorities arrest Candy for his direct insults to the government. Consequently, Britain learns of the ongoing events surrounding its military officer and sends delegates to resolve the issue. Despite the trials made to rescue Candy, the German order that Candy should engage in a fight that would determine his fate. The fight prevails between Theo and Candy for what seems like eternity, entirely the two are presented with similar and equal wounds on their faces. Through the influence of their wives, Theo and Candy resolve their differences and dine together whilst playing a gamble. This is a sign to reflect that German would not defeat Britain and may end up suffering equally in the event of a battle. The implication of the movie was a mock to the Germans during the regime of Adolf Hitler, who boasted over his power to conquer the Europeans nations towards the Second World War (Hunter, 2010:56). The friendship between Candy and Theo build in spite of the background differences. The two dine and drink together, and their friendliness improves their knowledge into learning the differences between their cultures. They discover the differences in their languages should not inhibit their friendliness. On the contrary, Edith cries out whenever asked by Candy to prepare for their departure to London, an act which leaves him stupefied and unable to contemplate on the reasons behind the act of dissatisfaction (Connelly, 2005:54). Later on Theo approaches Candy, and unveils the whole drama pertaining Edith’s dissatisfaction to the idea of departure. However, Theo is uncertain of Candy’s to the story hence he continually stutters while trying to explain the truth. Candy realizes that the two had an affair and despite his presence, nothing changed the relationship. Theo is apologetic but Candy reacts happily, expressing his satisfaction and pleasure to leave German with a surety that Edith was living with a friendly person and the one she was destined to marry (Moor, 2012:55). The movie reflects a scene of romance and betrayal simultaneously. The fact is Candy lives with Edith for a wife and remains naive of any ongoing affair between Edith and his friend Theo. At last, he learns the truth behind the ordeal of psychological distract on Edith as emanating from the fear of travelling to London and leaving Theo in loneliness (Street, 2005:57). Despite the love that Candy and his fiancee hold for each other, betraying and contradicting circumstances coerce him to surrender his love for the sake of his German friend. This event is a reflection of the relationship between the two countries whereby the authorities pretend that they are in good terms yet disguised to secure some interests. Candy expresses happiness but it is certain that he is not satisfied with the idea of losing his love. However, Theo is quick to conclude that Candy’s decision is the best and a rare thus calling for a celebration (Hunter, 2010:58). Therefore, the movie reflects that countries betray each other and may conceal their friendship; however, the one that feels deprived shall eventually seek an alternative form of revenge. Candy returns to London in loneliness and realizes of that his current life reflects on his stupid approach to issues during youthful days. At an old age, Candy is unfit for the military service and subsequently is a lonely man without a family (Street, 2005:59). At the time, the Second World War is on the verge and different countries are accordingly militarizing their troops and improving on the equipment in a bid to suppress any enemy. As reflected on the fears that Candy shows whenever deciding on inviting Theo for a dinner party in London, there are possibilities that the two countries wedged war during the Second World War period. This emanates from the fact that Candy perceives it as an impossibility to invite his friend because the he was an enemy soldier. The characters portray the consequences that pursue friendly countries after wedging a battle and similarly trying to cooperate and rekindle the fallen relationships between them (Hunter, 2010:59). However, Theo visits Britain with a different course and reason. For example, he shows his fears to Hitler’s Fascism system and expresses that he preferred England to German. Theo’s visit to Britain is a reflection to cultural adaptations at a period when all countries maintained differences in order to acquire sovereignty over their enemies. On the contrary, the movie portrays Theo as a purely hearted character who visits Britain for a worthwhile course. The movie reflects upon his revelations that Theo felt the urge to comfortably live in England, the home of Edith his fallen wife. Theo resides with Candy whose tenure with the British tenure expires from his old age and the inability to participate in the battles (Connelly, 2005:60). The loss suppresses Candy who bitterly expresses his urge to participate in the war that would run from midnight. This impacts Candy with an inferior desire to achieve his dreams of winning battles, with a remembrance of his aggression during his youthful days in the military. His desire to engage in the battle fuels his urge to establish the Home-guards organization that would protect their country when the army was fighting in overseas territories. In relation to this character reflected from the activities of aggression, one can easily establish that there was extensive act of bias in the military recruitment process (Moor, 2012:62). Conclusions drawn from the movie are that; The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp is a visual art representation of the British practices during the first and the Second World Wars (Hunter, 2010:61). The aggressive and stupid character of Colonel Blimp is a satirical reflection of the nature of the English leaders to failing to contemplate on issues before arriving at a decision. On a different version, the movie depicts Winston Churchill as a troublesome and aggressive leader with the perception that Britain is a superpower, as shown by the character of Candy, who challenges the German as weak to the Britain army (Connelly, 2005:70). Lastly, the movie expresses a death of career and inability to change lifestyle, since after military retirement, Blimp is unable to live a normal civilian life and regrets of his old age a deprivation to entry in the military. Bibliography Connelly, M. (2005). The red shoes. London: Tauris. Hunter, J. (2010). English filming, English writing. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. Moor, A. (2012). Powell & Pressburger: a cinema of magic spaces. London: Tauris. Street, S. (2005). Black Narcissus. London, I. B. Tauris. Read More