Penn of Pennsylvania

Penn of Pennsylvania is a 1941 British historical drama film directed by Lance Comfort and starring Deborah Kerr, Clifford Evans, Dennis Arundell, Henry Oscar, Herbet Lomas and Edward Rigby. The film depicts the life of the Quaker founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn. It portrays his struggle to be granted a colonial charter in London and attracting settlers to his new colony as well as his adoption a radical new approach with regard to the treatment of the Native Americans. It is also known by the alternative title Courageous Mr. Penn.

Deborah Kerr, a rising star, although not yetyears 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 Penns emblematic importance rather than simply as a historic individual, and he serves as a broader depiction of a freedomloving 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 Britains 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. ........

Source: Wikipedia