The Bells Go Down | COLORIZED | James Mason | Drama Film

Colorized Drama Film: The Bells Go Down - Comedian Tommy Trinder plays it straight in this tribute to the wartime AFS (Auxiliary Fire Service), the dedicated band who kept the fires of London under control during the blitz and fire bombings of WWII.

The Bells Go Down (1943)
Director: Basil Dearden
Writers: Stephen Black (adapted from the book of the same title), Roger MacDougall (screen play)
Stars: Tommy Trinder, James Mason, Philip Friend
Genre: Drama, War
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
Release Date: 17 May 1943 (United Kingdom)
Filming Location: Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England, UK

Synopsis:
This is the story of how an East End of London A.F.S. unit made good. It starts just before the war when a nice couple, Bob and Nan, want to get married. The war blasts their hopes and Bob signs on with the A.F.S., who are having a recruiting drive. The regular firemen - under MacFarlane the station officer, and Ted Robins, a leading fireman - despise the A.F.S. Indeed Bob's pals are a scratchy lot. They include Tommy, a kennelman, and Sam, a petty dockside thief. MacFarlane and Ted set out to break the heart of the A.F.S. boys and give them discipline. The boys fight back. The humors and events of this process cover the period up to the blitz. Subsidiary stories are a feud between Tommy and Ted over Susie, an A.F.S. girl; Tommy's dog which he runs at the races without success; Sam's petty thieving and feud with the local 'bobby' who is out to lay him by the heels; and Bob and Nan's efforts to marry and get a home together. Then in the big blitz of September, 1940, all acquit themselves like heroes and comrades. Bob has to watch his dearly won little home go up in flames while he plays water in the opposite direction on a warehouse: meanwhile Nan has a baby in the middle of a raid. Tommy the kennelman, dies in a fruitless attempt to save his enemy MacFarlane, and even Sam fishes his special 'bobby' out of a dock basin on the end of a boat hook. The film ends with the christening of Bob's baby. It is named "Tommy" after the heroic little kennelman. This film was a tribute to the men of the National Fire Service for their unforgettable devotion to duty during the Air Raids of 1940... They are ready now as then to answer the call whenever the bells go down.

Reviews:
"This film was based on the diaries of a serving AFS fireman who won the British Empire Medal before being invalided out and serves as a fine tribute to the AFS's work. It gives a realistic impression of the early days of the 'phoney war' in 1939 when rather like the home guard, the AFS wasn't taken seriously and was thought of by many as a bunch of disorderly Army dodgers. The change of tactics by the Germans that bought about the London Blitz soon corrected that perspective and the scale of the bombing and devistation is captured extremely well with special effects that are second to none for the time. Trinder's comedic mugging is balanced out by other members of the fire crew and the storyline provides a very good take on the highs and lows the AFS had to face. Given when it was made (1943)"

Also Known As (AKA):
(original title) The Bells Go Down
Portugal Londres em Chamas
UK The Bells Go Down
Yugoslavia (Serbian title) (literal title) Zvona su ucutala

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[susansutton]

It's a shame more films weren't made about the fire service during the blitz. They saved London, such brave men and women.

[randytracy]

Good movie-a part of history that needs to be told-with James mason in it -it’s worth watching! 😊😊😊

[anthonyeaton]

Of all the emergency services during the blitz, the firemen had to stay at his post while bombs were dropping around him, others services were allowed take shelter .

[bizzybee]

Great movie, the fire brigades did not get enough attention and praise! They did dangerous and heroic work under tough and dangerous circumstances.

[tinker]

Very good story about a part of history not to be forgotten. Very good quality film. Thanks.

[dilly]

Very moving! I remember the Blitz and doodle bugs dropping every night, and day. I never thought about the Fire Fighters, more thought was for the very young brave pilots who went out to protect England. I am very grateful to view this movie, maybe the only one devoted to the gallantry and bravery of those men who fought on the home front!!! Also my favourite actor, James Mason, in an early role.

[simontaylor]

An unusual film for the normally serious demeanor of Jame Mason. Haven't seen this in years, think I recorded it years ago. Tastefull cast lettering

[deerhoda]

Excellent. Thank you. A true history lesson.

[thomasrichard]

"Greater love hath no man than he lay down his life for his friends."

[rescuepetsrule]

One of the Nazi's sadistic moves was to bomb London when the Thames River was at low tide. As the main source of water, the firemen ended up pumping mud into the gear and hoses, ensuring more and larger fires and dead civilians.
(As I rewatched this, I focused on the subtle way they rapidly developed wonderful characters while the War hit London. It's rare to find a War movie with the perfect balance of the human side (and love) and the events taking place during the battles. I even love Short Head-lol.
(The amazing thing about these men doing their 'jobs' so bravely is that it was all new; London had never been bombed as badly as the Blitz, nor had they been forced to grab a hose and start fighting huge fires. The same went for man young men in many countries. No wonder they were called "the greatest generation". ) TY!

[caseyjonessnr]

Excellent film that I hadn’t seen for many years.

[alfgarnet-nqdl]

thank you a million times for posting this film, they were all hero, s during the blitz, MY LONDON my MUM DADS ALL MY FAMILY IN THE EAST END WENT THROUGH THIS NIGHT AFTER NIGHT they 2 were hero, s what a film of old london
felt like crying with them when they came out the shelter and saw there london LOOK AT LONDON NOW R I P ALL WHO DIED AMEN

[dong]

Wow. What a great film! The action and real life, . practical effects are amazing for the time this was filmed! Non stop action! The fires "felt" real, like they were really there fighting them while this was being filmed! I gotta hand it to them for pulling that off almost 80 years ago!

[paulsmith]

Fantastic movie, many thanks for uploading it

[LillianSteele-uv]

And as an American Citizen who was not born then but whose own dad served proudly in WWII, I agree. Hope that we will always be connected. And their Royal Majesties today are in my prayers, with Kate Middleton being a favorite of mine.

[FRANKTHRING]

An extremely rare movie and well received when it was released during WW2. Director Basil Dearden was excellent with social subjects ("Victim", "Sap[hire" etc) and producer Michael Balcon was at the forefront of such British movies ("The Blue Lamp"). The cast include lots of 40s character actors - Mervyn Johns, Beatrice Varley, Finlay Currie - besides new star James Mason.

[dmitryostrovsky]

Not just James Mason's in it, it's also got Dr. WHO in this file. William Hartnell, who played the first Dr. Who on BBC. What a great cast.

[hasina]

Dutiful men and women are to be recognised and respected in daily life

[jjayaraman]

11mar2023
The Bells go Down.1943.docu.ww2.(xx James Mason.Tommy Trinder.Philip Friend)[B Dearden]_6.7_1h25_./Comedian Tommy Trinder plays it straight in this tribute to the wartime AFS (Auxiliary Fire Service), the dedicated band who kept the fires of London under control during the blitz and fire bombings of WWII./ This film was based on the diaries of a serving AFS fireman who won the British Empire Medal before being invalided out and serves as a fine tribute to the AFS's work. It gives a realistic impression of the early days of the 'phoney war' in 1939 when rather like the home guard, the AFS wasn't taken seriously and was thought of by many as a bunch of disorderly Army dodgers. The change of tactics by the Germans that bought about the London Blitz soon corrected that perspective and the scale of the bombing and devistation is captured extremely well with special effects that are second to none for the time. Trinder's comedic mugging is balanced out by other members of the fire crew and the storyline provides a very good take on the highs and lows the AFS had to face. Given when it was made (1943)/

[Horgi-vvkh]

I think all wars are awful and Fire Brigades in any country had it horrible glad i was born in 1950 and did not live it all but did a good job they did being a Fireman is the most dangerous job in this world nice film gave me a few tears here and there!