Once a Jolly Swagman

Once a Jolly Swagman

1h 40m 5.6/10

Overview

A factory worker quits his job to become a motorcycle racer.

Director

Jack Lee

Top Billed Cast

Dirk Bogarde

Dirk Bogarde

Bill Fox

Renée Asherson

Renée Asherson

Pat

Bill Owen

Bill Owen

Lag Gibbon

James Hayter

James Hayter

Pa Fox

Thora Hird

Thora Hird

Ma Fox

Bonar Colleano

Bonar Colleano

Tommy Possey

Reviews

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

7/9/2022

6/10

Aside from the odd rendition of "Waltzing Matilda" - I am unsure as to the reason for the title, but don't be put off - it's about speedway not swag (or sheep). Dirk Bogarde is at his most alluring as "Bill", a man who gets laid off from his job testing lightbulbs and who takes up the sport of dirt-track speedway. Discovering he has a bit of a penchant for it, he is soon earning £90-a week and but for the intervention of WWII could have been a true champion. After the war, though, his wife "Pat" (Renée Asherson) gives him an ultimatum despite him struggling to get so much as a milk round to make ends meet. Which path will he choose? It's got a strong supporting cast this - James Hayter, Moira Lister, Bill Owen, Sid James, Thora Hird and Bonar Colleano - and there is just enough race action to give us an indication that this was an hugely popular, and pretty dangerous sport that saw crowds of tens of thousands turn up in the hope of some excitement. The romantic shenanigans clutter it up a bit, especially his "Lister" period, but it's predominately quite a well made, fast moving, drama that touches subtly on the lack of opportunities for many a soldier after demobilisation.

Similar Movies

My Family and Other Animals

6.3

My Family and Other Animals

2005

The Third Part of the Night

6.9

The Third Part of the Night

1972

Stalingrad: Dogs, Do You Want to Live Forever?

7.1

Stalingrad: Dogs, Do You Want to Live Forever?

1959

Fixed Bayonets!

6.5

Fixed Bayonets!

1951

Ballad of a Soldier

7.9

Ballad of a Soldier

1959

Magnificent Warriors

6.6

Magnificent Warriors

1987

Little Fauss and Big Halsy

5.9

Little Fauss and Big Halsy

1970

Story of G.I. Joe

6.4

Story of G.I. Joe

1945

Education for Death: The Making of the Nazi

6.9

Education for Death: The Making of the Nazi

1943

Operation Amsterdam

5.8

Operation Amsterdam

1959

The Way to the Stars

6.0

The Way to the Stars

1945

It Happened on July 20th

6.8

It Happened on July 20th

1955

They Caught the Ferry

6.8

They Caught the Ferry

1948