Just a series of badly acted unconnected scenes.
Like a secondary school drama class production but with more money.
I saw it with some family who lived that experience. They said it was very accurate and loved it. I saw the story as a series of vignettes which give a window into the typical family experience during WW2 London.
shareEach to their own! I think this is one of the ten greatest films of the 80s, an utterly beguiling, joyous movie.
shareI love this film too. It was a big favourite of mine as a kid (even though it's ostensibly aimed at an older audience). I haven't seen it for a while, but I recall it being a brilliantly evocative story about how life would have been for many kids growing up during the Blitz. The acting is great, the script is witty and touching (the stuff involving the air-raids are particularly powerful), and there's some excellent cinematography.
shareHarvey, have you seen part 2 of this movie? It's called Queen And Country. I might check it out.
Apparently, the story picks up after Bill (the boy in H&G) is grown up and serves time in the military. Looks pretty good... I might watch it.
Here's a link... https://moviechat.org/tt2392810/Queen-and-Country
I haven't. The reviews seemed relatively muted/lukewarm, in comparison to the (deserved) praise Hope and Glory received on release, but I may check it out now that you've reminded me of the film.
If you see it before me, please post your feedback!
Will do....
H&G did remind me of that Spielberg movie - 1941. It has a very similar theme. Not sure if you've seen it but it's a pretty good movie.
Can't really say which one I liked more, might be a tie.
Link... https://moviechat.org/tt0078723/1941
I was hugely disappointed by Queen & Country, and saddened that it seems almost certain to be Boorman’s last film. It did receive some warm reviews here and there but I thought it was dull and not very engaging… and features a performance by Caleb Landry Jones that May be one of the worst of the last decade!
shareThats unfortunate, based on the trailer, Q&C looks pretty good. I still might watch it though.
shareI caught this film a few days ago and you might have a point about unconnected scenes, the editing didn't quite work in this flick but overall, I thought it was a pretty solid film. And according to some of the other posters in here, it's a fairly accurate portrayal of 1939 England.
That being said, it's not my favorite Boorman movie. I still prefer Deliverance and Excalibur. But I'll give H&G a solid 6.8 put of 10. It's good entertainment.
I love this film! It doesn't need a plot, because it has an overwhelming and valuable theme, that of finding love and joy in the most difficult circumstances.
I recommend it to every human who's ever lived.