The Way Ahead (1944, UK, Reed) – Whiny city people get drafted, go through training, become soldiers. Fantastic battle scenes, and I love the sense in these British wartime movies of a young Britain emerging, to take over from the old. Watched it all.

This Happy Breed (1944, UK, Lean) – I’m all for a little cheerful patriotism in a wartime movie, but this is too much: Two veterans of the Great War have such stiff upper lips about it that it sounds like they had a jolly good time in the trenches, and besides it’s all over now so why make a fuss about it? Watched: 14 minutes.

Soul of a Monster (1944, USA, Jason) – Satan heals a good man, and makes him evil. This is a good candidate for Bad Movie night, with hilariously retarded lines. Watched: 11 minutes.

The True Story of Lilli Marlene (1944, UK, Jennings) – Documentary about Lilli Marlene, the sentimental song that first swept the German soldiers, and then the English soldiers who fought them in North Africa, seemingly becoming the property of whoever was currently ahead in the war. This is amazing. They’re using a song to tell the story of the shifting winds of war – but also of the things that all soldiers have in common. Watched it all.

Destiny (1944, USA, Le Borg) – Cops chase robbers. Bang-bang, bang-bang! Watched: 5 minutes.

Four Jills in a Jeep (1944, USA, Seiter) – Another patriotic war musical. War truly is hell. When will it end? Watched: 5 minutes.