Highly acclaimed in its time, A Town Like Alice has lost some of its power over the years, but there are a number of scenes which still pack an enormous punch and ensure that the film lingers in the mind for years after viewing. When first released, Alice was somewhat shocking for its brutality and for not "prettying up" the hardships its characters endure; inevitably, modern audiences will not have the same response, but even so the ordeals will make an impression on viewers. Unfortunately, Alice is not as consistently involving as it should be, and as the novel (the first half of which forms the basis for the film) is reputed to be; despite all that the characters experience, we feel kept a bit at arm's length with them, and more so than is accounted for by the traditional "stiff upper lip" stance they take. However, in scenes such as the one involving bargaining for milk for a child, the one with snakebite death of another child and, of course, the crucifixion sequence, there is abundant power and impact. Jack Lee directs these and other key scenes with quiet skill, ably aided by Geoffrey Unsworth's expert cinematography. And in Virginia McKenna and Peter Finch, Lee has a pair of actors who are perfectly cast and add immeasurably to the film. McKenna in particular is a treasure, with her nobility and bravery that can't quite mask her vulnerability. It has its flaws, but once seen, memories of Alice will stay with you.
by Craig Butler
review
