Hope and Glory
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Movie Reviews of Hope and Glory
Movie Review: Life and growing-up in wartime Britain (Great WWII film for adult sensibilities)
Summary: 4 Stars
Typically wartime films focus on the soldier, encampments, transport, combat and the like with but the occasional homefront scene to provide context. Such juxtapositioning, however, rarely does justice to the trials of life experienced by civilians as battles take place far afield. That's why Hope & Glory is such a unique piece of moviemaking. In it we are taken along bombed streets; to charitable shops for clothing; into air raid shelters; to the cinema to escape the war; to neighbors homes to embrace a sense of community. Hope & Glory is a "wartime" film wherein we see almost none of war's fare; as we are made to feel a part of it as viewers, knowing---from history---what is happening further afield without having to see any of it ourselves. Life is indomitable & goes on as surely during difficult times as carefree ones. It is the "Hope" in Hope & Glory and this film's accomplishment is its effectiveness in conveying such. If you want to feel something of the time that was wartime as Hitlerite Germany ran amok in Europe then do view this fine film. Along with "The Gathering Storm" starring Albert Finney & "Life is Beautiful", "Hope & Glory" is one of several films that brings the era of the Second World War to life; and makes the great combat films (such as "The Longest day", "Patton", et al) resonate even more with repeated viewings. If interested in other suggestions, see my "Viscerally experience WWII" Amazon guide (just click on my name & then side left, to "So you'd like to..."). Incidentially, for those considering viewing this film as a family, I'd suggest you choose "Mrs. Miniver" for that instead, & save this film (with has some sexual issues) for the adults. Cheers!Movie Review: Such a delight!
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a wonderful film, set during WWII and experienced through the eyes of ten-year-old Billy Rowan. It recalls the topsy turvey ways of a world where the abnormal conditions of war become commonplace. The men are away at the front and abscenses are not always making the heart grow fonder; the kids lack supervison; and one may be the victim of the next German bombing run. In this world of fear, uncertainty, and confusion, Billy still has the problems of growing up--attaining acceptance of his peers, becomming more independent, learning to throw a proper "googlie" cricket bowl...and of course the problem of girls. He learns that life in not permanent, that his own mother is not immune from heartache, that life, afterall, can hold wonderful surprises even in the midst of war. There are so many outstanding moments in this film that it would be difficult to list them all...a particular favorite of mine is when Billy's grandfather shoots a garden rat--hilarious!
Movie Review: Semi-autobiographical story by John Boorman...
Summary: 4 Stars
A young boy named Bill is growing up in a small English town during the beginning of World War II where the the outlook toward the war is extremely optimistic and glorified. As Bill's family faces the departure of his father who is going to war, Bill has to handle the boys in the neighborhood who lack fatherly supervision. This creates an atmosphere of freedom and rowdiness where Bill faces new adventures with boys while the women are temporarily freed from their husbands. However, the reality of the war becomes very real when bombs begin to drop around the neighborhood. Hope and Glory is a semi-autobiographical story by John Boorman that captivates the audience, but the story feels a little choppy as if something where missing in the film. Nevertheless, it is a solid cinematic experience that will keep many thinking and laughing.Movie Review: 5 star movie, 3 star DVD
Summary: 4 Stars
I first saw this movie as a child when it came out (at the time I was about the same age as billy, the boy in the movie). I loved this movie then and saw it periodically through the years. I purchased it to watch it again and to show it to my high school seniors when we read WW2 literature to give them a good idea of the blitz. the movie was everything I remembered and more and my students enjoyed it even more than I expected--there only issue was the rather sudden end (they are used to big hollywood endings and wanted more).
the movie itself is wonderful, the problem is that there are no captions on this movie and it isn't even coded to bring up captions on your tv. if you are hard of hearing or if you have difficulty with foreign accents, this will present a problem.
Movie Review: Coming of Age in Wartime
Summary: 4 Stars
"Hope and Glory" deserves its many awards and critical acclaim. The early years of World War II in Britain, as seen through the eyes of a boy, is a study in courage and adaptability without the usual posturing and preaching. One can only watch in awe at the devastation of war and its effects on people, and marvel at the ability of the common man to cope and survive as his world disintegrates about him. The contrast between the bombings and deprivation suffered by the lower classes in the cities and the relatively untouched lifestyle of the manor born is difficult to accept and, in my opinion, led to a unsatisfactory and weak conclusion to the story.