A classic film. And as we approach Christmas it will more than likely be on tv again this year. It's a fantastic celebration of the British spirit, British ingenuity and plus it has a cracking theme tune (we'll overlook the fact that it's too long, historically inaccurate in places and was made by Americans).However what stands out for me about this film is hope. Hope that the ending will be somehow different to when I last saw it. Logically this is nonsense. But the hope is still there. Everytime I watch it I want to shout; oh for God's sake don't say 'thank you' in English when wished good luck by the Gestapo, don't shoot Blythe and don't 'stretch your legs'.
This hope is epitomised by the scenes featuring Steve McQueen on the motorbike. My head shouts of course he doesn't succeed as he races around the German countryside - but my heart says maybe he might this time. He's only feet away from freedom when captured - so agonisingly close - oh why oh why isn't it different this time?
And it's this deluded hope that summarises the position of Tory eurosceptics. History teaches us that a Tory government always integrates us further and that any talk to the contrary is a lie. It doesn't matter often you say it, the pattern is always the same. Tories talk tough on Europe, galvanise their supporters then capitulate when in power.
Despite this evidence staring them straight in the face, on they go, Tory voters, still supporting them, forever doomed by disappointment. They lick their wounds when the Tory leadership betrays them again but continue to vote Tory in the hope that next time it will be different.
It isn't, and Steve McQueen didn't escape.
hattip for the video: EUreferendum
