Tunes of Glory (1960)

How is it that Alec Guiness wasn't nominated for Best Actor this year?   Here he gives another great performance, one that in many ways is his best (if there is a best with this genius of an actor).  Oh well, that's what's great about DVD,  you can discover these lost performances and tell the world about them.   In this Scottish military drama, Alec plays Jock Sinclair, who is stepping down from command of a battalion so a by-the-book Major Barrow (performed equally as good by John Mills) can take over.  Jock is a wonderfully complex character with so many flaws and gaudy ticks it's hard not to like him no matter how much of a blow hard he is.  Even as he continues beats Barrow down it's clear that he is an honorable man, a man that must confront is own shallow imperfections.   Some may say it is a bit dated, the screenplay written by the author of the book its based (James Kennaway) is excellent but there are more speeches than those films made today.   Yet it's a great look into the way a Scottish military might have been like in those years after the war.   Grade: A-