Malta Story focuses on WWII and siege of Malta
Malta Story (1953) features Alec Guinness, best known to the younger generations for his role as Obi Wan Kenobi, as photo reconnaissance pilot Peter Ross, who is in Malta as the Axis forces begin their siege. Based on the true events of World War II and what the people of Malta faced, Malta Story does a good job of capturing the feeling of hunger and waiting as the population faces starvation and hopes that the next convoy will bring relief.
This movie portrays things that we should never want to see again. As lives are backgrounded and interrupted by war, people are forced to make decisions that are painful and deadly. Civilians are caught in the cross hairs as the Italians and the Germans rain down bombs from above. Man’s dependence on oil is easy to see as the Ohio is really the only ship that the command worries about. The Maltese people are starving, but it is the tanker that is cause for most concern and most hope. Even in 1953, oil dependency was an issue that few people recognized after the war was over. While it is the central worry, food takes a backseat even as parents and grandparents give up their meals for their children and the city goes on half rations. Malta Story does a good job of showing the strategic importance of Malta during World War II. Historical events, like the awarding of the George Cross to Malta’s citizens for their sacrifices and the valiant entry of the SS Ohio with its precious cargo of fuel as it is floated into the harbor lashed to destroyers, are weaved into a story of the Gonzar family and Ross’ relationship with Maria Gonzar. The picture itself is limited by the effects it can muster, but the battle footage looks like it was taken from battle archives. The more important message and its relationship to Malta obscure any faults that come with films of a certain age. |
|