It Happened Here

Yesterday I went along to the GFT to see It Happened Here, showing as part of their ‘What If…?’ season. It Happened Here was made over 8 years (the longest ever film production schedule) and finally emerged in 1965.

It tells the story of an England inhabited by the German Army in the time after Dunkirk. British police forces patrol alongside Nazi soldiers and for the majority complying with law and order is the best way to get along and get Britain out of its current dark days.

There was a lengthy introduction to the film, by film critic Mitch Miller, who provided much of the background to the film. The directors Kenneth Brownlow and Andrew Mollo made the film initially without any funding (although director Tony Richardson provided a contribution towards the end), using their own wages, working on weekends and employing mainly amateur actors and friends. All the costumes were painstakingly sourced; none were made for the production.

The finished film was deemed to be controversial for a number of reasons. For one the film industry at large didn’t like it that two amateurs could go out and make a professionally looking film that also had artistic merit. The film’s suggestion that Britain could have colluded with the Nazis also sat uncomfortably for people.

Kevin Brownlow said of the production, “We started as raw amateurs, with no money. We ended as semi-professionals, our film sold to United Artists. And no money. En route, we had the bumpiest ride imaginable. Desertions from the cast, technical catastrophes, lawsuits…Enraging the film industry is not a sensible way to become part of it. And to make what you firmly believe to be an anti-Fascist film and to be accused of anti-Semitism is something of a blow."

The film features real-life British national socialists as officers in the incumbent puppet regime. They provide their real thoughts in a 7-minute segment in the film. Although it adds to the authenticity it sparked criticism that the filmmakers had allowed them a platform.

As for the film itself, it was very interesting from a historical point of view. It’s no war film, where the Goodies and Baddies are very clearly illustrated. There’s a lot of confusion in how people have to live their lives, not really knowing who they can trust and compromise plays a large part in their existence.

It Happened Here is available on DVD and Kevin Brownlow has written a book on his experiences.