Cottage to Let

Cottage to Let is an engaging wartime spy thriller produced in 1941, casting well-known personalities like Leslie Banks, Alastair Sim and Jeanne De Casalis. The film is adapted from a play by Geoffrey Kerr, directed by Anthony Asquith who is known for his quality craftsmanship in British cinema. The narrative is a rich blend of suspense-filled espionage drama with a delightful mixture of comedy, which is known to cleverly entertain the audience from start to finish.

Leslie Banks presents the character of John Barrington, an eccentric inventor, working on a novel bomb design, and living with his family in a remote Scottish highland. Throughout the movie, Banks demonstrates an extraordinary performance, maintaining a composed demeanor yet emitting the aura of intrigue pertinent to the character. His portrayal perfectly fits the profile of the eccentric inventor the storyline necessitates — making him an attractive target for enemy spies.

Alastair Sim, on the other hand, plays the character of Charles Dimble, an inquisitive character of intelligence who resides in the Barrington household under the guise of an unassuming, absent-minded ornithologist. Sim's portrayal of Dimble is laudably pitch-perfect, blending a combination of comic touch and quizzical aura that simultaneously piques the curiosity of viewers. Jeanne De Casalis adds a comical charm to the movie, playing the role of Mrs. Barrington, a chatterbox socialite who is blissfully oblivious to what's unfolding within her premises.

War conditions lead to the Barringtons offering their cottage as a convalescent home for a young pilot named Flight Lieutenant Perry, played by John Mills. His arrival instigates a series of mysterious events, suggesting that there could be a spy in their midst. The senior Barrington's assistant, as well as a couple of the other house guests, all become suspects in the riveting plot, adding layers of suspicion, curiosity and tension in the story.

The film sparks a subtle contrast between the tranquility of the Barrington's peaceful, pastoral setting and the intense undercurrents of wartime intrigue and danger. Besides the main plot of identifying the spy among them, the movie does a commendable job offering thrilling sidetracks, including secret rooms, enemy agents in hot pursuit, and daring escapes, all while managing to keep the main storyline intact.

The director's skill is evident through the seamless shifts in tone from light comedy to tense spy-thriller. The plot, filled with suspense and unpredictable twists, holds the audience in anticipation, while the comedy punctuates the tension as an underplayed but equally entertaining facet of the film. The scriptwriter, Anatole de Grunwald, and the director, Anthony Asquith, work in perfect harmony, ensuring that the action is tight and the dialogue is crisp, progressing the narrative effectively and engagingly.

The movie also features Frank Cellier, who delivers a memorable performance as Badger, a local gamekeeper. Cellier's interpretation of the character conveys a delightful blend of old-school charm and shifty-eyed suspicion, adding further layers to the complexity of the movie.

Apart from the compelling storyline and the memorable performances of the cast, the film boasts atmospheric cinematography that does an exceptional job at capturing the Scottish highland setting. The authenticity of the setting, in conjunction with the detailed production design that captures the era’s essence, contributes significantly to the overall success of the film.

Cottage to Let remains a classic wartime comedy-thriller that successfully harnesses the cutting edge themes of the period, like espionage, suspense, and light-hearted humor. Despite being created during a time of international tension, this movie offers a nuanced piece of cinema that is entertaining and engaging on many levels.

Whether you're a fan of wartime dramas, suspenseful spy thrillers, or deft comedy, Cottage to Let presents a balanced mix of all these genres, making it a must-watch from the rich treasury of classic British cinema.