Chatter Box Film

This is a review for The Bells Go Down; an Ealing Studios Classic directed by Basil Dearden, which has been given a 4K restoration release by Studiocanal.

Ealing Studios made a film about The Auxiliary Fire Service in 1943, while World War II was still on-going. However, this story focuses on a specific aspect of the war called The Blitz, between September 7, 1940 to May 11, 1941.

The Blitz saw the UK (predominantly London) bombed by relentless German Lutwaffe planes; putting a strain on ARP wardens warning people and on fire services, due to a rise in fires and destroyed buildings.

The Bells Gone Down was cleverly written as a comedy/drama, it would make sense for there to be more comedy, in order to lift up the morale of a nation during wartime. This was also seen as propaganda to an enemy; to show them that people across the country are staying strong.

These comedic scenes delivered just that by a most amusing and entertaining comedian known as Tommy Trinder; who played a new fireman called Tommy. James Mason also stars as Ted Robbins, who parallels Trinder’s unserious and lighthearted character with a stern and strict demeanor instead.

This film has not been colourized, and instead restored while keeping it in black and white, in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio. There are amazing edits in The Bells Go Down, where fictional scenes were blended together seemlessly with real footage from The Blitz. Editor, Mary Habberfield and art director; Michael Relph done a wonderful job with this.

Although, the sound of the film could have still been improved and cleaned up more when dialogue is spoken; there’s still that old muffled and somewhat screechy style recording to it, especially when an actor was loud while being too close to a microphone.

The Bells Go Down does well to showcase the perspectives of these brave workers, and delivers an entertaining British war film.

What are the bonus features?

A great thing about the bonus features is there’s an additional 1 hour and 20 minute fictional documentary/drama film titled “Fires Were Started (1943)”. In this film, real firefighters were hired to play roles instead of actors.

• London Auxiliary Fire Brigade Parade (1939)
• Fires Were Started (1943) – Movie
• Save Your Shillings and Smile (1943)
• Still Gallery

And other propaganda style clips featuring Tommy Trinder and wartime adverts. The only downside to this release is there are no subtitles on these bonus features, however there are subtitles on the main film itself.

When is The Bells Go Down releasing?

The film is releasing on Blu-Ray, DVD and on Digital from June 24.