Oria, Hanover Street (Makeup)

         The first half of the film Hanover Street establishes a love affair between an American pilot, David Halloran, and an English nurse.  It is later revealed that she is married to a man that Halloran is meant to fly into occupied France.  This was the initial reason Harrison Ford accepted the role of David Halloran in the first place.  Prior to this film, Ford claims that, “I had never kissed a female human being on screen before. The characters I played were totally sexless, and here was a movie that was being touted as a romance. That was a clear, obvious reason for doing it,” (Pfeiffer, 84).  While it may have been seen as a romance film, the second half of the film is filled with action and adventure.  Halloran embarks on the mission to transport Sellinger to occupied France.  By doing so, Halloran ends up stuck on the mission with the husband of his lover.  On this mission, the qualities of a hero come into questions. Sellinger applauds Halloran for being a hero.  Sellinger juxtaposes himself against Halloran claiming that if someone were drowning, Halloran would be the one to save him or her and Sellinger would be waiting to give them his coat.

         Sellinger points out the qualities of a hero.  These qualities are someone who jumps to action when something goes wrong.  Someone who does not think before acting and is brave enough to risk their own life.  A hero is one who is willing to put others before themselves.  Sellinger believes that Halloran embodies these qualities.  Sellinger is clearly envious of Halloran’s bravery.  He attempts to prove his manhood and become his idea of a hero.  Rather than send someone else on the mission, Sellinger takes the man’s place.  He would rather die than remain dull. 

         While Halloran fits this description of a hero, he also does not fit it.  He is brave and quick to act but he is also a bit reckless.   He is the hyper masculine war hero.  Before meeting the English nurse, he does as he pleases and has nothing to loose.  It is not until he meets her does he become more of a hero.  Halloran begins to fulfill the selflessness aspect of a hero rather than just being brave. In the end, Halloran chooses to let his love go.  He realizes that he cannot have her.  This is the moment where he truly learns to sacrifice his desires for the well being of others.  Although he does not see it, Sellinger could be considered a hero as well.  He is willing to risk his own life, but for all the wrong reasons.  It is in this way that the two together make up the hero of this film.