Review: The Magic Box

The story of William Friese-Greene (Robert Donat), who began as an ambitious photographer experimenting with colours, before beginning his obsession with trying to invent motion pictures. Australian Margaret Johnston and Maria Schell (seemingly her first UK film) are the wives at various stages in his life, the latter is his beloved, sickly first wife, the former is his loving second wife who knows her husband means well even when he struggles to put food on the table and ultimately drives their children away.

Intended for the 1951 Festival of Britain, this John Boulting (the well-regarded, well-acted gangster pic “Brighton Rock”) biopic about a forgotten cinematic pioneer (whose role in the invention of motion pictures is still a controversial and much debated one today), is a must-see for film buffs as it contains appearances (many of which are mere cameos) by many of Britain’s working actors and stars of the time. Apparently Sir Alec Guinness was the only one to turn down a role here. Some leave quite an impression (the much celebrated cameo by Laurence Olivier, a moving Maria Schell, the inimitable Margaret Rutherford, scene-stealing comic actress Joyce Grenfell), but the film works wonderfully as a fascinating and ultimately quite moving drama as well (something many disagree with me on, but it’s their loss). This is mostly due to the amazing, and quietly powerful performance by Donat (my vote for the greatest actor who ever lived- sadly, not long enough), who brings out the decency, and innate goodness in a characters whose drive to succeed at the expense of his family and his own health, might not have made him the nicest person in the world in the hands of a lesser talent. He also effortlessly plays the man at various stages in his life, something that won’t surprise admirers of Donat’s Oscar-winning turn in “Goodbye Mr. Chips”). This might actually be my favourite performance of his ever.

Fascinating, sad, and not to be missed by cinephiles in particular. If you love British cinema, this is also a must-see film, even if it’s just to spot the star cameo. The screenplay is by Eric Ambler (“The Cruel Sea”, “The October Man”, “Lease of Life”, “A Night to Remember”), from a book by Ray Allister, using an unusual-for-the-time, non-linear flashback-heavy story structure, that for once, actually comes off. However, even without all the tricks and gimmicks (that really serve as a love letter to cinema, especially British cinema), this is a moving story about an important man in history.

Rating: A-