Main Cast: Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, John Hodiak, Leo Genn, Cathy O'Donnell
Release Year: 1950
Country: US/UK
Run Time: 104 minutes
Plot
This sequel to the 1942 Oscar-winner Mrs.Miniver can be considered ill-advised, if only because the producers could never really hope to match the success of the original. Otherwise, The Miniver Story has its charms, not the least of which were the sterling performances of Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon. Set just after VE Day, the film finds Mrs. Miniver (Garson) reacting to the euphoria of her friends and family with a sense of quiet sadness. This is because she's just learned from her doctor that she hasn't much longer to live. With the same courage with which she met the deprivations of WW II, Mrs. Miniver resolves to put on a happy face and keep the news of her imminent demise a secret from her husband (Pigeon) and children. She even finds time to straighten out the tangled love life of her daughter Judy (Cathy O'Donnell). Henry Wilcoxon repeats his Mrs. Miniver role as the local vicar. Unlike its Hollywood-bound predecessor, The Miniver Story was lensed on location in England. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Possible The Miniver Story might seem a better film if it didn't have to bear the brunt of inevitable comparison to its predecessor, Mrs. Miniver -- but even it that case, it still wouldn't be a good film. Story is heavy-handed soap opera, whereas Mrs. was a drama with heart. The story in Story is one that has been told countless times before and since -- that of a martyr, often as in this case, a wife and/or mother, who puts the needs of her loved ones far, far in advance of her own. It's also that old chestnut about a person who is dying but who -- though she would never admit this -- doesn't trust her family enough to let them in on this devastating development which is going to drastically affect their lives. Beyond the plot, the screenplay is banal in character development and dialogue. Worse, it betrays the characters as portrayed in Mrs., making changes that are unacceptable. H.C. Potter's direction is serviceable, but what is needed is outstanding helming. Under the circumstances, the cast does as good a job as possible. Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon have plenty of star quality and their chemistry is intact, but she is reduced to begging for tears and he to trying to burst through the wooden façade of his character. They are so talented that they overcome these obstacles, making Story watchable -- but not memorable. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
The story, told partly in flashback and narrated by Clem Miniver, commences on VE Day as Clem and Judy return home from war service and Toby returns from a foster family in America.
Judy, a corporal driver, is loved by Tom Foley, a captain in the Royal Engineers, but she is besotted by a general (Leo Genn) married but separated and twice her age. Kay Miniver has also conducted a brief and inocennt affair wih an American Colonel.
Clem is now restless and dissatisfied; he successfully applies for a design contact in Brazil. But Kay, unknown to him, has contracted a major cardiac condition and has one year at most to live. Despite this, she persuades the general to return to his wife, leaving Judy free to marry Tom.
The wedding goes ahead. Clem, now aware of Kay's medical condition, decides to stay in London and brings Tom into the his architectural practice. Satisfied that her family are safe and happy, Kay dies.
No mention is made of the eldest Miniver son, Vincent, who appeared in the earlier film.
