One of Alec Guiness' finest films is perhaps one of the least understood. He plays Major Jock Sinclair, a highly decorated officer, who is the acting Colonel of a Scottish Highland regiment after World War II. When he is replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Basil Barrow, played by John Mills, his behavoir becomes increasingly erratic, culminating in his assaulting another member of the regiment in full uniform in public. This is a Court Martial Offense. The outcome of this is the crux of the film's message.
Where does a soldier's duty belong? To a book of rules, or something higher? It all boils down, and over, to the age old question of Doctrine versus Deed. In this case the result of following the Book of Rules would publicly tarnish the reputation of centuries of hard won glory, paid for in lives. And so it goes that this decision between Doctrine and Deed may cost one man his life by verdict of a Court Martial. With masterful performances by both Alec Guiness and John Mills, this film may not be for everone. But the question is one we all face at sometime in our lives. Do we follow Convention, or do we follow our hearts?
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