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The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

1943Movie2 h 43 minNR

Drama
87
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb8.0Metacritic937.2Rotten Tomatoes97%90%

A nostalgic, slow-burning war movie about history and war, with standout performances and characters.

Good for date night · friends night · teens

Skip it if you want fast pacing · you want to half-watch while scrolling

Where to watch

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Not for scares or laughs.

Movies with

Story

An unforgettable story of forty gallant years.

General Candy, who's overseeing an English squad in 1943, is a veteran leader who doesn't have the respect of the men he's training and is considered out-of-touch with what's needed to win the war. But it wasn't always this way. Flashing back to his early career in the Boer War and World War I, we see a dashing young officer whose life has been shaped by three different women, and by a lasting friendship with a German soldier.

Feels like

  • British Cinema Classic
  • Historical War Drama
  • Character Study
  • Nostalgic Reflection
  • Friendship and Loyalty
  • Changing Times
  • Wartime Ethics
  • Well-Crafted
  • Detailed Period Piece

Cast

23 of 23

Crew

Directed by
Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Written by
Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Produced by
Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Music by
Allan Gray

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

July 26, 1943 · 2 h 43 min · NR

Released
July 26, 1943
Runtime
2 h 43 min
Age rating
NR
Content
Violence
Genres
War, Drama, Romance
Original language
English
Also spoken
French, German
Made in
United Kingdom
Budget
$2 million
Box office
$275,472
Available in
126 countries

Q&A

4 questions, like "Where can I stream The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp?"

Questions about The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp?

HBO MaxThe RokuCriterionPluto TVShout! Factory TVPlexDarkroomTubi TV

In the United States, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp streams on HBO Max, Criterion, and Artiflix, and it is free with ads on The Roku, Pluto TV, Shout! Factory TV, Plex, Darkroom, and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 125 other countries.

Is The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp worth watching?

87
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 87 (IMDb 8, Rotten Tomatoes 97%, and Metacritic 93). Critics rate it higher (95 out of 100) than audiences (81).

Is The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp good for date night?

and 3 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFriends NightIntergenerational

Yes: romance is 7 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

Can I half-watch The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for complexity and 8 for non-linear narrative.