Wartime film about Malta's bravery to be screened again

Malta GC, a British propaganda film made during the Second World War, will be screened tomorrow, 62 years after it was first screened in London and Malta.

The film records the endurance of the people of Malta who withstood intense bombing by Axis planes based in Sicily.

It will be shown at intervals during the day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Malta at War Musuem by the wartime shelter at Couvre Porte in Vittoriosa.

A day of events is meant to keep alive the collective memory of the Maltese of the granting of the George Cross to Malta on April 15, 1942. The activities will be organised by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna (FWA), the Malta Tourism Authority and the Vittoriosa local council. They include the manning of an anti-aircraft gun and cooking in a field stove used by the Victory Kitchen to provide meals for the populace.

The film consists of footage shot by the Army Film Unit, the RAF Film Unit and the Crown Film Unit. Malta GC was produced by John Monck and the commentary is by that celebrated star of screen and stage Laurence Olivier.

Arnold Bax, one of Britain's top composers, wrote the musical score for the film in September 1942 and Malta GC premiered at the Gaumont in Haymarket in London on January 22, 1943. Bax was commissioned to write the film score by Muir Mathieson, for which he was paid £50.

"This war film was specially commissioned by King George VI to be shown all over the Commonwealth to sustain the spirit of those nations involved in war by showing the resilience of the Maltese people," Mario Farrugia, FWA chairman said yesterday.

FWA came to know about the film from the British Film Institute and obtained a copy from the Imperial War Museum.

"The film drew large crowds when it was first shown in Malta. The original manuscript was presented to the people of Malta who collectively were awarded the George Cross in recognition of their staying power during the heavy blitz.

"But the original film score, which was presented by Sir Arnold personally to the then governor of Malta Viscount Gort and kept at the National Library in Valletta, could not be traced.

"Following inquires and searches at the National Library, the score does not seem to be there anymore," Mr Farrugia added.

The sound track cannot be heard clearly because it is drowned out by the sound effects and the narration.

An anecdote about the films tells how when Lawrence Olivier asked Bax if he was unhappy with the result, the composer unceremoniously replied: "Yes, I jolly well am - chattering away all over my music.

"Bombs falling in all directions, planes crashing right and left, my music is faded down to make way for some fatuous remark like 'an air raid is in progress; it is a time of danger for the population'".

Arnold Edward Trevor Bax was born in London on November 8, 1883 and was educated at the Royal Academy of Music. He was a highly skilled pianist. He was knighted in 1937 and was appointed Master of the King's Music in 1942.

His last work was a Coronation March for Queen Elizabeth II. He holds the titles of both Master of the King's Music and Master of the Queen's Music.

He died on October 3, 1953.