Two underrated British World War II films are set to air on BBC Two this Sunday afternoon, offering viewers a chance to watch lesser-known gems of wartime cinema. The lineup includes a film based on an incredible true story, starring the very man who carried out the real-life military deception.
I Was Monty's Double (1:20pm)
First up is the 1958 classic I Was Monty's Double, an adaptation of M.E. Clifton James' autobiography. The film recounts Operation Copperhead, a British military deception aimed at misleading German intelligence about the location of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery in the lead-up to D-Day. James, an actor and soldier who bore an uncanny resemblance to Montgomery, played himself and the real Monty in the film. The cast also includes John Mills and Cecil Parker. Interestingly, when Montgomery himself attended a screening in London, the audience mistakenly believed it was James on screen.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (8pm)
The second feature is the 2018 romantic drama The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, directed by Mike Newell and starring Lily James. Based on the 2008 novel, it follows a book club formed on Guernsey during the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands. After the war, a London-based writer (James) investigates the group and uncovers hidden secrets. The film boasts an ensemble cast including several Downton Abbey alumni such as Jessica Brown Findlay, Matthew Goode, and Penelope Wilton, as well as a pre-stardom Glen Powell. With an 81% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is described as "delightful comfort food for fans of period drama."
Both films will be available on BBC iPlayer for a limited time after broadcast.
