I think I approached it in the expectation that it was some kind of a war film- and was obviously disappointed.

If you do watch it again, I'd love to hear what you think.

I do remember being amazed at how Livesey managed the transition from fat, old Candy to trim young Candy- and all, presumably, without the prosthetics they'd use today.

Yes. I was reminded of Citizen Kane and Goodbye, Mr. Chips, both of which track characters acrosss decades of their lives, and this was more seamless than either.