Tawny Pipit Review

• 15th May 2011

Produced by Prestige Pictures in 1944, this slice of war propaganda was released towards the end of the Second World War. Tawny pipits are rare birds spotted in a sleepy English village turning much attention to the fictional location of Lipsbury Lea. A group of locals attempt to save the nesting area which is due to be ploughed by a local farmer. They also have to fight off poachers who are out to steal the rare eggs.

During the years of the Second World War the UK film industry churned out all manner of propaganda films, from the classic Mrs Miniver to the bizarre visions of Michael Powell. Tawny Pipit is a hymn to the British countryside and village living. The residents of Lipsbury Lea can be seen coming together to protect the valuable tawny pipit nests, displaying the spirit that would ultimately defeat the Germans in World War II. Whether it’s abroad or on the home front, the film showcases the solidarity of good honest British folk who won’t bend to the will of others.

Added propaganda value comes in the shape of a female Russian soldier (Corporal Bokolova) on a good will tour. After being presented with a Browning automatic rifle by the village, the Corporal proceeds to give a rousing speech. She talks about the honest folk of the UK and how she was also a farmer back in Russia. There is endless mention of freedom and how under the Allied forces of Britain and the USSR this will exist into the future. The sequence is undoubtedly sandwiched in to assure the watching Brits that old Uncle Joe can be trusted.

Tawny Pipit is hardly a great film, but given its propaganda aspect it holds much for those interested in UK film during World War II. The proceedings are all very innocent on the whole giving it a far gentler nature than other war movies made at the time. The inclusion of the egg poachers gives it a nice Ealing quality towards the end but even that turns into a call for freedom.  The film closes with the song “All Things Bright and Beautiful” as we’re reminded that the beautiful tawny pipit birds are as valuable as our wonderful air force.

This brand new DVD release by Odeon is presented in a nice print but sadly with no extras beyond scene selection menu.

Aled Jones