JohnHowardReid Copyright 1961 by Independent Artists. Not copyrighted in the U.S.A. New York opening at the Plaza: 30 July 1962. U.S. release through Union Film Distributors: 30 July 1962. U.K. release through Rank Film Distributors: 21 May 1961. Australian release through British Empire Films: November 1961. 8,820. 98 minutes. (Available on an incorrectly framed Network DVD). U.S. release title: A COMING-OUT PARTY.SYNOPSIS: In 1942, aeronautical scientist Sir Ernest Pease is flown over enemy Germany to observe at first-hand the results of one of his radar experiments. When his plane is hit by anti-aircraft fire and he is forced to parachute to earth, he is captured and sent to a P.O.W. camp. Because of his aloof and taciturn nature, his fellow prisoners suspect him of being a spy. However, when word arrives from the War Office that he is a very important person, all hands join in arranging an escape. Following several unsuccessful attempts, Pease decides to take over. VIEWER'S GUIDE: Borderline (lots of bombast, anti-German sentiments, implied cruelty).COMMENT: Who else is better qualified to enact a "Very Important Person" than James Robertson Justice? Even the name sounds important. Mr. Justice is a master of the cutting remark, the caustic put-down. Acidic bombast issues as smoothly from his lips as invective from the most well-versed sergeant-major. And fortunately for us, Leslie Phillips and company are just the sort of scallop- brained officer talents to try the great man's patience.Of course no amount of bombast, no matter how entertainingly well- honed, will serve as adequate entertainment in a feature film if the surrounding story and characters are not likewise sharply drawn and delineated. Fortunately that is not only the case here, but an extra jester has been added to the pot. Two extra jesters in fact – both in the person of that superb mimic, Stanley Baxter. What is more, Baxter is not merely a bonus on the sidelines, but an integral part of the movie's cleverly plotted escape. As for the actual support characters, they are as entertaining a medley of reliable British types, led by Eric Sykes and Richard Wattis, as any Empire could boast. Annakin's direction is surprisingly skillful and assured. And as the film has been realized on a fair-sized budget, other credits are likewise first-class.OTHER VIEWS: It's not only Justice's film. The principal acting credit for its success must be equally shared with Stanley Baxter. As for the script credit, it does no disservice to the long, noble tradition of British POW movies, mostly because it re-uses so many of the standard ruses, devices, props and even characters.Fortunately there's still more than a bit of life left in the old genre. Spirited playing certainly helps. — J.H.R. in Photoplayer.

intelearts Very Important Person is a well-written, and enjoyable British comedy that really belongs with other classic 1950s films. 1935 - 1962s British Comedies are my absolutely favourite genre as they hold their charm and wit even now and Very Important Person has a great deal of the essentially British humour in tough straights.The plot of the genius scientist - JRJ - who ends up in a POW camp and must escape at all costs is a good vehicle to hang some nice character acting from Stanley Baxter and let Leslie Philips do his bounder at play act.There are a ton of recognisable faces from John Le Mesurier to Eric Sykes, and the terrific part actor Richard Wattis, who everyone in Britain would recognise but few can name, all making the time fly by to perfection.Above all, there's James Robertson Justice. Justice ironically nearly always played characters that looked and sounded true Tory but was the child of two of Britain's better Socialists (They did a lot in educational reform). He, himself, stood for parliament in Scotland as a Labour MP. Thank goodness he lost! His curmudgeon, which he had already perfected as Sir Lancelott Spratt in the Doctor series, is at its best here; he takes rude to a comic art form - and we love him for it.Ken Annakin directs, and given that his list include Battle of the Bulge and Those Magnificent Men in their FLying Machines and Monte Carlo or Bust you know you're in excellent hands.All in all, this is very reminiscent in style to The Wooden Horse but with laughs, a classic of its style and one that will still bring a wry smile to the face.

Cedric_Catsuits A sterling cast is largely wasted on this flimsy attempt at satire. Heavyweight JRJ's typically confident and purposeful performance is about the only thing making it watchable, although brief glimpses of comic genius Eric Sykes and twin roles from dour Scot Stanley Baxter do help lift this above the merely mundane.The plot is strong enough but is weakened because of the light-hearted treatment, and there is little attempt at creating tension or even realism. What passed for gentle entertainment 50 years ago would mystify most modern audiences who are raised on a diet of high-octane, high-speed thrills and laughs.As a piece of social history illustrating the British attitude to the war just 15 years after it ended, it has merit. Sadly as a piece of cinematic entertainment it does not.

Spikeopath Sir Ernest Pease is sucked out of an aeroplane and captured by the Germans, and promptly interred at a POW camp. Naturally he refuses to give the Germans any information, and carrying his surly approach into his bunking quarters doesn't endear him to his fellow prisoners. But word comes thru from the hierarchy that Pease is so important on account of his scientific knowledge, he must escape at all costs. Thus this odd group of people must unite to get the old curmudgeon free.Written by the men behind some of Norman Wisdom's most well known offerings {Henry Blyth & Jack Davies} and starring such British comedy luminaries like James Robertson Justice, Leslie "Hello" Phillips, Stanley Baxter, John Le Mesurier and Eric Sykes. Well it isn't rocket science to work out what type of film you are in for. Competently made at Beaconsfield Studio for Independent Artists,Very Important Person is practically a goofy version of the Great Escape {made two years later I hasten to add}. The Germans are of course portrayed as clueless dunderheads, and the British prisoners get by with a stiff upper lip and using humour as ultra sharp defence mechanisms.So nothing new here for those that have sat thru many a 50s and 60s British war comedy, but the cast and writing is so engaging it's easy to forgive the familiarity of it all. Carried easily by the broad presence of James R Justice as Pease {fans of the Doctor franchise will love him here}, it's a film that knows it's a simple piece. It exists purely to induce a giggle, maybe even stir a bit of pride, and with its ending-actually has something to say as regards its main character. It's real light stuff that isn't the least bit dramatic {as some on line reviewers have suggested}, kind of like like a light wafer biscuit, you know it's a snack and that's really all you need to make you temporarily fulfilled. 6.5/10