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A Town Like Alice

Play trailer Poster for A Town Like Alice 1956 1h 47m Drama War Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
Tomatometer 2 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
This drama, based on the book by Nevil Shute, focuses on Jean Paget (Virginia McKenna), a British office worker captured by the Japanese in Malaysia during World War II. Kept with other women prisoners, Jean eventually meets Australian soldier Joe Harman (Peter Finch), who secretly aids the weary group by stealing food. When Joe's actions are discovered, he is punished, and Jean assumes him to be dead. However, years later, she finds out he may still be alive, and sets out in search of him.
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A Town Like Alice

Critics Reviews

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Christopher Lloyd Sarasota Herald-Tribune Apr 29, 2013
4/5
An engaging historic romance in which the romantic relationship is the least successful thing about the movie. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Sep 18, 2008
C+
Harrowing but dated WWII drama. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Albert W @Axwell Aug 18, 2026 Been putting off watching this film but I’m glad I finally did, I really enjoyed it See more Noel L @RT15930389 Jun 7, 2026 What a depressing true story of girl power See more Tom M @RT77934561 Oct 25, 2024 Quite an involving film. Not as gritty as some wartime movies, and the attempts at humour don't really pay off. The romance element they try to elevate towards the end but they should have left it as it doesn't ring true. See more Thomas S @RT38038238 Jun 13, 2024 Hard going at times but an inspiring story See more SICKS6SIX S @SICKS6SIXS Jul 22, 2023 a heartwarming film of a true story, well acted, an inspiring story and a pleasure to watch, if more films were this good today the cinemas would be full, See more Paul G @RT67423558 Sep 29, 2020 Overly long with some very suspect acting. I really cannot recommend this film. See more Read all reviews
A Town Like Alice

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Jack Lee

Director

Virginia McKenna

Jean Paget

Peter Finch

Joe Harman

Kenji Takaki

Japanese Sergeant

Jean Anderson

Miss Horsefall

Marie Lohr

Mrs. Dudley Frost
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A Town Like Alice

A Town Like Alice (1956) A Town Like Alice (1956) A Town Like Alice (1956) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis This drama, based on the book by Nevil Shute, focuses on Jean Paget (Virginia McKenna), a British office worker captured by the Japanese in Malaysia during World War II. Kept with other women prisoners, Jean eventually meets Australian soldier Joe Harman (Peter Finch), who secretly aids the weary group by stealing food. When Joe's actions are discovered, he is punished, and Jean assumes him to be dead. However, years later, she finds out he may still be alive, and sets out in search of him.
Director
Jack Lee
Screenwriter
W.P. Lipscomb, Richard Mason, Nevil Shute
Production Co
Rank Organisation
Genre
Drama, War
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
May 23, 2017
Runtime
1h 47m
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