That was the attitude in England to the veritable flood of US Servicemen prior to D-Day. England, like the US, had suffered during the Great Depression, and was then thrust into WWII years ahead of the US. During that time they struggled, pretty much alone, against the Nazi's. They lost thousands of their sons to the war, thousands of civilians to German bombing and they all lived through strict rationing.
When the American troops arrived they were for the most part young men with young men's appetites, far away from home, with ample supplies of Chocolate and Liquor and other goods in short supply in the UK. The troops were receiving steady paychecks (many for the first time in their lives) and were very willing to take advantage of the wartime shortage of able-bodied young men
This film accurately depicts the time and gives a fair and balanced account of that period. It is recommended viewing for those that wish to understand attitudes that continue even today in the older generation. I particularly enjoyed the scenes at New Years dealing with the racism of the US soldiers and the reaction of the Brits.
Unfortunately, historical accuracy doesn't always make for a great movie and the major romantic plot lines seemed tepid. I am not sure why. The elements were all there. A lonely young British woman has a beau in the British Army who is away. An attractive young American who is sensitive enough to appreciate her view and feels alone and out of touch in the foreign country. The girl's family who are pulling for the local lad but are forced to admit that the Yank is an OK sort. Yet even with all of these plot elements, like the American in the story, I was unable to muster sufficient enthusiasm at the key time to get the most out of the experience.
When the American troops arrived they were for the most part young men with young men's appetites, far away from home, with ample supplies of Chocolate and Liquor and other goods in short supply in the UK. The troops were receiving steady paychecks (many for the first time in their lives) and were very willing to take advantage of the wartime shortage of able-bodied young men
This film accurately depicts the time and gives a fair and balanced account of that period. It is recommended viewing for those that wish to understand attitudes that continue even today in the older generation. I particularly enjoyed the scenes at New Years dealing with the racism of the US soldiers and the reaction of the Brits.
Unfortunately, historical accuracy doesn't always make for a great movie and the major romantic plot lines seemed tepid. I am not sure why. The elements were all there. A lonely young British woman has a beau in the British Army who is away. An attractive young American who is sensitive enough to appreciate her view and feels alone and out of touch in the foreign country. The girl's family who are pulling for the local lad but are forced to admit that the Yank is an OK sort. Yet even with all of these plot elements, like the American in the story, I was unable to muster sufficient enthusiasm at the key time to get the most out of the experience.