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Mr. Forbush and the Penguins

From Alfawiki
Mr. Forbush and the Penguins
Company typeFilm
IndustryFilm industry
Founded1971
Headquarters
United Kingdom
ProductsFeature film

Mr. Forbush and the Penguins, also released under the title Cry of the Penguins, is a 1971 British film blending comedy and drama, directed by Arne Sucksdorff, Alfred Viola, and Roy Boulting. The cast includes John Hurt, Hayley Mills, Dudley Sutton, and Tony Britton. The screenplay, adapted by playwright Anthony Shaffer, draws from Graham Billing's 1965 novel Forbush and the Penguins.

Plot

Richard Forbush, a biology student, is assigned a six-month research mission in Antarctica to observe a penguin colony. His initial motivation is to win the affection of Tara, a woman he is interested in. Based at Shackleton's Hut, his sole connection to the outside world is through radio contact with the navy, which provides supplies and communications.

During his stay, Forbush faces challenges from skuas preying on penguin eggs and chicks. Although instructed to avoid interfering, he tries to fend off the birds using a catapult. His inability to prevent the skuas' attacks leads to a significant personal change by the conclusion of his expedition.

Cast

  • John Hurt as Richard Forbush
  • Hayley Mills as Tara St. John Luke
  • Dudley Sutton as Starshot
  • Tony Britton as George Dewport
  • Thorley Walters as Mr. Forbush Sr.
  • Judy Campbell as Mrs. Forbush
  • Joss Ackland as The leader
  • Nicholas Pennell as Julien
  • Avril Angers as Fanny
  • Cyril Luckham as Tringham
  • Sally Geeson as Jackie
  • Brian Oulton as foodstore clerk
  • John Comer as Police Sergeant
  • Hugh Moxey as Lord Cheddar
  • Burnell Tucker as The co-pilot

Development

The movie is adapted from a 1965 novel by Graham Billing, who previously worked for the New Zealand Antarctic Division.

This project was a collaboration between EMI Films, PGL Productions, and British Lion Films, forming part of the first batch of films approved under Bryan Forbes’ leadership at EMI. Forbes announced this among fifteen other productions in August 1969.

Al Viola directed and Henry Trettin produced their first feature films with this production. Playwright Anthony Shaffer penned his debut screenplay adapting Billing’s novel. Antarctic scenes were captured by Swedish filmmaker Arne Sucksdorff. The original cast included John Hurt and Susan Fleetwood.

Forbes described the film as an ambitious "calculated risk" with an "engaging script," despite facing considerable logistical difficulties, emphasizing it was "distinctive and worth pursuing."

Shooting

Principal photography commenced on 4 November 1969 at Palmer Peninsula in Antarctica. A team of fifteen crew members—including Trettin, Viola, and Hurt—spent eight weeks stationed at Esperanza Base, marking it as the first feature-length film shot on the continent. Studio work continued later at Elstree Studios, with filming completed by March 1970.

Forbes later reflected that Sucksdorff’s Antarctic footage did not mesh effectively with scenes filmed in the studio. Members of British Lion’s board, such as the Boulting Brothers and Sidney Gilliat, insisted on substantial alterations: they replaced Viola with Roy Boulting as director and recast the female lead role with Hayley Mills—Boulting’s wife—replacing Susan Fleetwood. Despite Forbes’ opposition to these last-minute changes, he was overruled.

Filmink criticized Forbes for assigning an inexperienced director like Viola to such a challenging production that required seamless integration of location and studio material.

John Hurt was distressed by these modifications; Forbes had to spend considerable time persuading him to remain involved. Hayley Mills’ scenes were shot in November 1970 at Shepperton Studios.

Shaffer characterized the production process as "quite disorganized," noting unusual script revisions and a general lack of regard for the screenwriter’s role. Sidney Gilliat described the finished film as "a dreadful jumble" and questioned casting decisions, remarking that Michael Crawford might have been a better choice than Hurt.

Box office

The movie did not manage to recover its substantial production expenses.

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin observed that the film "dispenses with all gravity" and minimizes the significance of its Antarctic backdrop, despite featuring impressive location shots and wildlife footage. The original narrative, which centered on Forbush's isolated ordeal, was modified by adding new scenes set in London with Hayley Mills, which weakened the story’s overall effect. The protagonist was portrayed as a caricature, with inconsistent transitions between comedic and tragic elements.

The Guardian commented that the film "is not as poor as previously suggested," although it found fault with the "unpleasant first thirty minutes." The Evening Standard described it as "a pleasantly traditional comedy reminiscent of Ealing Studios," but criticized the main character as "a tiresome dull figure."

Filmink labeled the production "an extraordinarily unappealing film" that failed to utilize Hayley Mills effectively, proposing that she would have been a stronger lead than John Hurt given her compatibility with the material. The cinematography showcasing the locations was noted as the film’s standout feature.

External links

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