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Drama. Mr. and Mrs. Miniver are the average reasonably well-off middle-class couple with a son at Oxford, a small daughter and younger son. They enjoy the ordinary routine of a happily married couple, whose little extravagances require carefully but comfortably timed confession. War is declared. They, like thousands in this country, face the horrors and inconveniences with courage and faith in the future. There is scarcely a story in the ordinary sense to be told except that every life is of itself a story, but Vin Miniver takes part in the Battle of Britain, Mr. Miniver takes his small river-boat to help in the evacuation of Dunkirk, and Vin's young wife, the daughter of local aristocracy, is killed by raiders. The family is Bombed in their shelter and Mrs. Miniver deals with a German parachutist.

In spite of obvious criticism that can be made - and rightly - this is a most moving film, directed with great insight and sympathy by William Wyler. The acting of Greer Garson as Mrs. Miniver is superb and that of Walter Pidgeon as her husband quite impeccable. The film is as gracious a tribute as could be paid to Britain's real life in time of stress and agony. The "little boats of Dunkirk" have been portrayed as realistically and dramatically as could be wished. Teresa Wright proves by her performance as Vin's wife that her reputation as a splendid artist in The Little Foxes was more than justified. Generally speaking, the illusion of England, is excellent, and in so good a film the slight defects may be forgiven.

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