Princess Fuzzypants here: the book provides a review of many, but not all, of the war films, particularly those made during the actual conflict and the period of time shortly thereafter. It looks at how each was an example of the time with the message delivered. Each one discussed was important in its own right whether it was a success or not. Many both reflected and determined public opinion.

It is an easy read as it does not go into tremendous detail and is, as the author is fond of saying, a highly personal and subjective view. I have seen most of the films listed although there are a few that were unknown to me. I think this would be a great book if the reader wanted to explore the British WWII experience through the eyes of the cinema. Four purrs and two paws up.

"Bovril & Sherry" provides a high-level but thorough filmography of British and British-partnered war films, emphasizing World War II films and those produced through the Ministry of Information in the UK. Wilkinson provides material on why the films were made, providing the Ministry of Information's rationale and objectives for specific films, preparing the British public for the coming war, and reinforcing morale.

I found the book enjoyable, and I was surprised by some of the information about specific films-- for example, I had placed: "Sink the Bismark!" ten years earlier than its actual release date. Further, I now have a list of films to track down and watch!

Four stars: Recommended especially for the film aficionado

Andy Wilkinson’s Bovril and Sherry has a subtitle “The Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat of British War Films”. One might, therefore, reasonably think this is a book about British war films. While the author does indeed mention British films, he admits that many of the films are American.
This is a very short book in three main parts:
1. 1930-1939: These fourteen pages cover the period when the world became increasingly alarmed about Germany’s re-armament and sabre-rattling. Only four of the sixteen films covered were made in Britain during this inter-war period, although a few of the American-made ones have British content, such as The Charge of the Light Brigade. La Grande Illusion is a French language film, made in France, with a mostly French cast. I’m unsure why it has been included in a book about British war films.

2. 1939-1945: Thirty one films are listed in these twenty pages, although the author’s comments vary in length from Mrs Miniver with almost a page down to New Town for Old Town with just one sentence. As one might expect, the films chosen for this section are mostly British. I was pleased to see films about the Home Front included, such as the excellent Ministry of Information short, Go to Blazes, about how to handle incendiary and fire bombs, starring Will Hay and Thora Hird.

3. 1945-1969: Twenty six pages and twenty six films, finishing with The Battle Of Britain (1969). This was the period in which those films we now think of as “classic” war films were made, such as The Colditz Story, The Dambusters and The Great Escape.

Wilkinson then lists a number of songs and tunes that were released during WWII and which lifted spirits, such as Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again; Glenn Miller’s In the Mood; and the Andrews Sisters’ Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (and yes, those last two were 100% American composed and performed).

You may be curious to the purpose of the book: Wilkinson’s commentary occasionally mentions the director; a couple of the stars; and the Ministry of Information, if they were involved in making the film; but it certainly doesn’t attempt to provide detail. The plot is summarised in a few sentences. We get a brief mention of the context but, again, it’s not detailed. I can only suggest that the purpose of the book is tell us which films Andy Wilkinson enjoys watching on TV and which tunes he enjoys listening to as he’s doing the washing-up. If you want to know that, buy the book. If not, you’ll probably get a lot more from Wikipedia.

Andy Wilkinson’s “Bovril & Sherry” is a brief primer of British films that were a part of the World War II effort. It’s a quick, light read, smattered with the occasional homage to his family members who were a part of the war. Thanks to #Netgalley for the opportunity to preview this book.

For film fans and/or anyone interested in the workings of the British Film Industry a new book by the multi-talented Andy Wilkinson is always very welcome.
The author looks closely at a wide range of war films mostly made by British production companies like London Films, Two Cities and Ealing Studios, often with a helping hand from the Ministry of Information or the Crown Film Unit.
It was good to see in context the hopes and aspirations of film directors as legendary as Alfred Hitchcock and David Lean as they helped win the hearts, minds and souls of an exhausted, worn out Britain, and kept the fight going during the darkest hours.
An essential book for film buffs everywhere written with the author's usual clarity and easy-to-read style.