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"This Land is Mine" from 1943 on TCM right now. I've never seen the movie and all I caught was Charles Laughton's two closing speeches - in the courtroom and classroom.
Are they wartime propaganda speeches - maybe.
When does courage and belief in ideals become propaganda - I don't know and I'm not sure I care.
Laughton's speeches - by a man who found his courage after a life of cowardliness (I'm guessing as all I heard were the closing speeches) - are powerful, moving and timeless both in their truths and owing to his acting prowess.
What a performance; what a pair of speeches.
Now I have to wait for the movie to cycle back to TCM's schedule so that I can see the other 90% of it - can't wait.
And this is what a hero can look like:
Are they wartime propaganda speeches - maybe.
When does courage and belief in ideals become propaganda - I don't know and I'm not sure I care.
Laughton's speeches - by a man who found his courage after a life of cowardliness (I'm guessing as all I heard were the closing speeches) - are powerful, moving and timeless both in their truths and owing to his acting prowess.
What a performance; what a pair of speeches.
Now I have to wait for the movie to cycle back to TCM's schedule so that I can see the other 90% of it - can't wait.
And this is what a hero can look like: