Mrs. Miniver (1942)

In a small village outside London, a "typical" English family adjusts to the horror of war as it slowly encroaches on their turf. Based on the novel by Jan Struther and directed by William Wyler. During WWII, Hollywood did their bit for the war effort by making propaganda films to boost the morale of the country. Most of them took place in actual battle zones but a handful of films like SINCE YOU WENT AWAY and this one focused on the home front. MRS. MINIVER doesn't get much love these days but I think it's a fine film. Of course, this isn't a typical English family at all, just Hollywood's idea of one. But it shows the courage and tenacity of those who lived under the terror of German bombings, often seeing their loved ones killed and their homes destroyed. Never sure of when their turn will come. It's melodramatic and contrived to a point yes but there's still a nobility about it. It's Oscar win for best film is understandable if debatable although I have no problem with Greer Garson's win playing the title character. The nation took the film to its heart and the movie was a huge box hit. With Walter Pidgeon, Richard Ney, Teresa Wright, Dame May Whitty, Henry Wilcoxon and Henry Travers.