The Miniver Story

The original Mrs Miniver was a huge international hit when released during the Second World War, teaming Walter Pidgeon and Greer Garson as architect Clem Miniver and his wife Kay, characters inspired by the writings of Jan Struther.

Mrs Miniver was a fiercely patriotic film, and a reminder to the USA of what Britain was taking in rationing, nightly air raids, and bombings. This sequel though, titled The Miniver Story, takes place in peace time, and is largely concerned with troubles within the family, foreshadowed by Clem's narration at the start of the film.

This film gets a lot of bad press from those who find it weak, heavy-handed or simply sentimental. It may not have the power of its illustrious predecessor as a war film, but it simply doesn't have that agenda. Clem and Kay still have a strong marriage, Judy and Toby are fast growing up (although their eldest, Vin, is curiously absent), and if you enjoyed their characters and the teaming of Pidgeon/Garson first time around, you will like this film.

In support you will find Cathy O'Donnell, Leo Genn, a very young James Fox, and (all too briefly) John Hodiak. Jan Struther might have objected to her creation ending the way it does in The Minever Story - and the film is certainly sentimental - but it is watchable, with good points.