The Young Mr. Pitt
| The Young Mr. Pitt | |
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A scene from the film
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| Directed by | Carol Reed |
| Written by |
Frank Launder Sidney Gilliat Viscount Castlerosse (additional dialogue and original novel) |
| Starring |
Robert Donat Robert Morley Herbert Lom Ronald Shiner |
| Music by | Louis Levy |
| Cinematography | Freddie Young |
| Edited by | R.E. Dearing |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
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Release date
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Running time
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118 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The Young Mr. Pitt is a 1942 British biographical film of the life of William Pitt the Younger and in particular his struggle against revolutionary France and Napoleon. It was directed by Carol Reed and stars Robert Donat, Robert Morley and John Mills. Made in black-and-white, it was produced by Edward Black and Maurice Ostrer for the British subsidiary of 20th Century Fox.
It was filmed as the Second World War was raging. Similar parallels with the struggle against Hitler's Germany were implied in That Hamilton Woman (aka Lady Hamilton, 1941), made by Alexander Korda in the United States with Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh in the leads.
In 1770, William Pitt the Elder gives a speech in Parliament decrying the unfair treatment of the colonists in the American colonies, then advises his second son, a youngster also named William Pitt, to avoid seeking fame through war.
Years later, King George the Third is delighted that the ministry of Charles James Fox and Lord North has fallen. However, there is no obvious replacement. To everyone's surprise, the King selects William Pitt to become the youngest Prime Minister that the United Kingdom has ever known at the age of 24, despite his opposition to the disastrous war against the American colonies and reputation as a reformer.
Pitt tries to gain Fox's support, but is rebuffed. He is ridiculed in Parliament, but despite having no majority, refuses to resign. He is even subject to a night ambush, but noted boxers Dan Mendoza and Gentleman Jackson help drive the assailants away. Reassured by the boxers' claims of strong support for him amongst the general public, Pitt calls an election on a platform of peace and prosperity, which gives him a majority. Over Fox's constant opposition, he then institutes reforms and strengthens the Royal Navy.
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