"Orders are Orders" is a 1954 British comedy film directed by David Paltenghi and produced by Tom Blakeley. The movie features Brian Reece, Margot Grahame, Raymond Huntley, and William Hartnell in lead roles. The story revolves around the British Army and its unusual mission in a fictional African country. The army is tasked with convincing the natives of the country to allow British nuclear tests to take place in their territory. However, the natives are not very fond of the idea and are determined to protest against it.
Captain Bingham (Brian Reece) is the commanding officer of the army unit, but he is not very excited about the mission. He is a conscientious soldier and does not wish to provoke the locals. On the other hand, his superior, General Roland (Raymond Huntley), wants to succeed at any cost and orders Bingham to use force if necessary.
Things take a funny turn when Bingham meets the beautiful Lady Jane (Margot Grahame), the Governor's wife. She is also against the nuclear tests and manages to convince Bingham to join forces with her. Together, they hatch a plan to stop the tests and pacify the natives.
The film offers a satire of British imperialism and the use of force to achieve their objectives. It also highlights the cultural clash between the British and the African natives and the difficulties that arise from trying to impose their ways on others.
The performances are outstanding, especially from Brian Reece who offers a nuanced portrayal of a patriotic soldier who is torn between his duty and his conscience. Margot Grahame is exceptional as the headstrong Lady Jane who challenges the authority figure but does so with grace and poise.
Raymond Huntley delivers a commendable performance as the General who is willing to go to any extent to achieve his objectives. He embodies the traditional British colonial mindset and serves as a perfect foil to Bingham and Lady Jane's modern perspective.
The movie is not just a comedy but also a commentary on the political climate of the time. The 1950s saw the height of the Cold War, and the threat of nuclear annihilation hung over the world. The movie offers a nuanced take on the issue of nuclear testing and the consequences of such actions.
Overall, "Orders are Orders" is an entertaining and thought-provoking movie that offers laughs along with some poignant messages. It is a must-watch for fans of British humor and satire, as well as those interested in the history of British colonialism.
