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This winning 1987 epic written and directed by John Boorman (Deliverance, The General) serves as a picaresque and semi-autobiographical remembrance of a boy's coming of age during the Second World War. Exhibiting a defiant and humorous take on life during the London blitz, the family of the young boy at the center of the story (Sebastian Rice-Edwards) is a close-knit and resilient bunch, undeterred in the face of the war and reveling in each other even as they hide from the incessant bombing. To be sure, there are some poignant moments in this childhood reminiscence, such as when the boy's older sister (Sammi Davis) falls in love with a Canadian, becomes pregnant, and marries him, only to see him taken away by the military police. And the boy's mother (Sarah Miles) serves as a strong influence in the boy's life as she leads her family through this tumultuous time. The majestic sweep of the film is contrasted with so many comic moments as the people in town go about the mundane details of their daily lives yet also engage in the most absurd rituals in dealing with the onslaught of German artillery, from taking the air raids for granted to wearing gas masks at school. Boorman doesn't dwell on the horrors of war; instead he celebrates the richness and resilience of the people he remembers so fondly. An adventurous and nostalgic slice of life, Hope and Glory is a superb and memorable film. --Robert Lane ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Life During War!
John Boorman's "Hope and Glory" is a nostalgic look at a family's trials and tribulations of living through the London blitz during World Warr II. The film told from the perspective of a young boy shows us both smiles and tears as we see people fall in love, go off to war, lose all their possessions and even those they love.It shows that even though war can cause kaos and the world around us seems to be falling apart, life goes on.People still mow there lawns, go on day trips, attend school and escape daily life at the local cinema.The film does have its serious moments, yet there is a comic undertone that runs through this episodic story.My favorite comic moment is when the father tries to convince his family that the German jam he has brought home from the front isn't poisoned.They all look at him like he's crazy and about to keel over.Truely hilarious!Sabastion Rice-Edwards is excellent as young Billy, who is afraid he's going to miss the war. Sara Miles is great as she plays the emotional role of a mother who is trying to keep her family together during both the good and bad times.This movie really takes you to the British homefront!

Great Film For Practically Anybody
This is one of my top 20 all time favorite movies. If you can imagine all the trials and tribulations, joys and sorrows and aches and pains of childhood and then imagine going through WWII at the same time you have some idea of what this movie is about. Told primarily through the eyes of a young boy, this movie shows a very personal experience of what the Home Front was like for London civilians. Neighbors get bombed out, shrapnel lies in the streets, friends die, and life somehow still goes on. The movie does a really good job of showing how the war could be a source of wonder to a child living through it and a cathartic experience for the adults. At the same time it can be incredibly funny and this is really why the film is so good. Probably my favorite scene is when the grandfather sends the young boy fishing with orders not to come back until he has caught some fish. A close second is the german jam scene. If you like period films, you'll love this. If you just like good movies, not too serious or too silly or too sad, give this one a viewing. Also, the punting instructions given in the movie actually work. Soon after watching this film, I ended up in Oxford, England and was able to teach myself to punt in less than an hour just from remembering this movie, so it's also educational!

Can't go wrong
This movie is great. I am 25 and I love it and I loved it when I was 8 and it came out... looking at WWII through the eyes of a child is exciting in a way. Its one of those rare war movies that doesn't center around soldiers but a normal family instead.

Fabulous Film!
This is a film that sticks in your head. Years after I'd seen it, I searched until I could find out what it was again just so I could see it again. Not only is it beautiful, but funny and wonderful. I highly recommend this!

hope and glory
I like so many avivid lovers of this movie fell in love with it the first time i saw it on showtime back in the eighties when i was just twelve.i never knew the name until i a discussion of movies with some close friends lead me to it. now that i know off i rush to buy this wonderful movie. You know with movie that have so much blood and gore it nice to sit down and watch this movie it take me back to my parents house intently watching this wonderful movie ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This is one of the best PRIME SUSPECT movies ever.
Out of all of the Prime Suspect movies, this is one of the best ones. As always, the cast, including Helen Mirren, gives strong, believable performances; and the writing and dialogue are intelligent, realistic, and emotionally charged.

Without giving away the plot, I'll say this much: this PRIME SUSPECT film is less about who did it than it is about HOW and WHY. This time, The Detective Superintendent and her team investigate a murder in the upper-class and they close in on an angry, evil woman who is desperate to keep her dirty secrets hidden. It's a suspenseful, thrilling story of evil, deceit, and familial dysfunction, well-written and convincingly acted. Don't miss it.

On a side note, if Aaron Spelling ever wants another actress to play a villainess on any of his night-time soaps, then he must hire Jill Baker. Although she is not well-known, she is a formidable talent and she is ready for prime time. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

ADULTRY, LIES, PROFANITY and THEFT
This movie is shameful to say the lest! If you like Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensiblity, Mansfield Park, The Girl is not a romantic story at all. Movie will be a waste of time and money.
Hannah is a thief from the very beginning as a child, she commits adultry, profanity is used throughout the movie every now and then. Not worth seeing, but you judge for yourself
Be warned!

Totally amazing!
Wow - this movie is just fantastic. Siobhan Flynn is amazing as Hannah. She is beautiful, passionate and wonderful and you find yourself hoping she will find happiness in this epic story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Siobhan Flynn just tears up the screen and makes it look easy the whole time as the young girl in love. Miss Flynn is obviously destined to be a great star.

The Girl
A must see film! A few changes from the book but the characters and plot are wonderful! Hannah(Siobhan Flynn)you just root for from the begining to end. Hannah grows from a meek young girl to a splendidly beautiful woman. She overcomes many hardships and challanges in her quest for happiness. Ned Ridley(Jonathan Cake) is the very handsome and proud "bad boy" you just can't help but fall in love with. Who, unknown to Hannah, is her "knight in shining armor". The settings, costumes and scenery are beautiful as are Ned and Hannah! The English countryside is just breath taking in the film. All the cast is very convincing in their roles in the film. But, in the end, it's the casting of Hannah and Ned that makes you want to meet Siobhan Flynn and Jonathan Cake. I loved their preformance.

high school wana be gets popular rock guy
this movie is one of a kind it was very deep and moving high school girl falles hoplessly in love with town rock star who has had every willing girl in town but she changes him then says good bye .

the girl
This movie was one of the best that I have seen lately. Hannah was just a character that you loved. She was wonderful when she realized that she loved Ned. Ned was just so tormented in the beginning and transformed by his love for Hannah. I just wich I could find the book to read. ... Read more