Mandy [DVD] [1952]

Lovely film 🎥

As others have said the storyline is about a deaf girl in the 1950's and the problems she encounters in getting the right education both in terms of social attitudes, resources and teaching methods. It is a bit of a weepy but there are subtleties that, for me anyway, make this something of a classic.Although the viewer is obviously primarily concerned about Mandy, this central theme is also used to explore the attitudes and relationships of the other main characters, mainly relevant to the 1950's but some of it timeless. Primarily the mother is fighting for what she feels is the correct education in a special school against the wishes of her husband and his family. However this is not simply a right/wrong, good/bad storyline where good has to triumph. It is also about characters who make choices based on their upbringing, concepts and personal circumstances.While there are many snobbish traits to the family and while the family clearly make wrong choices, the character interraction is quite subtle. The husband in particular is a complex character who does tend towards loving his wife and wanting to do the best for his child but who does also tend to believe that his choices are the right ones and that he should be the one to decide. When she goes against his wishes he has conflicts that fall short of an all out confrontation with her, still damaging the situation but not as badly as he could have. There is also a subplot of issues at the school with the headmaster who, although totally dedicated to the welfare of the children and correct in his teaching methods, is also slightly arrogant and to an extent in part responsible for the conflict he ends up facing with governors of the school. There are other nice touches, in particular showing the stresses faced by a new teacher, that demonstrate how fine the line is for a potential breakdown in care at the school.All of these conflicts and complex personalities build up a tension throughout the film as there are a number of crossroads where these issues threaten to derail Mandy's development. The film does reach a conclusion but leaves many relationships and the future still to be worked through.A fabulous film and one from an era which allowed multi dimensional characters and was not afraid to leave loose ends rather than bring the story to a complete conclusion. A precursor to films such as 'A Taste Of Honey' but in my view superior.

it was fine know problems at all thanks

A wonderful film and Little Mandy Miller is superb. Great also to see a short interview with Mandy Miller talking about the film and her short time in the film industry. Highly recommended.

Really great film. Great actors.

The Scottish-American director Alexander Mackendrick made at least half a dozen classic films, from comedies to biting dramas, and his great talent is on full display here in a deeply moving film that is carried off with rare tact and intelligence. The situation of a congenitally deaf child is approached from multiple angles, that of the child, the parents, teachers and society, with nothing in the way of cheap sentimentality or sensationalism. We the audience are moved, moved to tears probably, because the director has been able to capture on film moments of change, realisation and growth that are witnessed, as if we were attending angels, rather than staged or camera-made. The performances are powerful, especially from the eponymous Mandy Miller. Sure, things have moved on since this film was made, in terms of treatments and attitudes, but there is a timeless depth to this drama, a story intelligently conceived and brilliantly filmed, that keeps the production fresh for our modern eyes. The transfer is good. My copy stated that there were subtitles available. It has not been restored but, apart from some slight sound distortion in places, it does not show any great wear and tear. Deserves a spot in any collection.

I'm currently learning BSL and found this film very insightful.

The story is simple. Mandy is born deaf, and it takes some time for the parents to realise that. They then disagree as to what should be done for her. The only time I had seen it before was as a young lad, when it first came out (I've never seen it crop up on TV), but certain scenes had stuck in my mind; they were all there, but some of the action obviously had been beyond my comprehension back then (was mum having an affair?). I can remember, as a child, being ashamed of crying over the final scene, but, 60+ years further on, I wasn't; and even now, just thinking of it, my eyes prickle. It's a simple story, simply told in black and white with the simplest of special effects (the face of a man shouting at Mandy filling the screen, but silence); very moving.