Penn of Pennsylvania

Cast

Production

The idea of a film about Penn was developed by the producer Richard Vernon. After listening to a radio broadcast by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Vernon had been struck by how similar his views were to the Quaker philosophy of William Penn the next morning he approached bosses at British National Films and pitched the idea of a Penn biopic to them, securing their support. Anatole de Grunwald hastily wrote a screenplay and the film began production at Elstree Studios on 10 February 1941.

Deborah Kerr, a rising star, although not yet 20 years old, was given equal billing with Clifford Evans, who played Penn, but had far less screen time as the film primarily focused on Penn rather than her portrayal of his wife. The film concentrates of Penn's emblematic importance rather than simply as a historic individual, and he serves as a broader depiction of a freedom-loving Englishman. The musical score was written by William Alwyn, the first time he had written for a feature film. His score is generally considered far superior to the film itself.

Made during the Second World War the film was intended in part as a propaganda effort to stir the United States out of isolationism and persuade it into joining the war on Britain's side, and was one of a series of historical films including The Prime Minister, The Young Mr Pitt and The Great Mr. Handel which were made at the same time, as well as Thunder Rock and 49th Parallel which portrayed a similar message in a contemporary setting.

Reception

The film received universally bad reviews which criticised the lack of vitality in the historical figures who often resembled stereotypes. When it was released in the United States the New York Times observed "Penn is definitely not one of England's better film efforts". Evan's portrayal of Penn was generally praised for his "sympathetic" performance. Shortly afterwards, Lance Comfort directed Kerr in Hatter's Castle, which proved a major success.