Mrs Miniver (1942): 15th Winner for Best Picture

Date viewed: 23 September 2012

Mrs Miniver (1942)

This black and white film was set in England during the Second World War and had a focus on the perspective of the 'woman back at home' whilst the man went off to war. The war also came close to home with several bombing scenes.

It was a sweet film with touches of humour throughout (including the flower competition scene that was quite entertaining), whilst still portraying how close and how serious the war was and what war was like for women and children in England.

It was definitely an enjoyable film.

Why did it win Best Picture? A different perspective on WWII would definitely be part of the reason, I would say (and as it was probably hot topic that year). I think the 'both sides of the fence' perspective definitely captured a snapshot of what the war was like, both from the masculine 'going-off-to-war' angle as well as the feminine 'stay-at-home' angle.