Hope & Glory 2018

     This film is a semi-autobiographical project by John Boorman about a nine-year-old boy called Bill as he grows up in London during the blitz of WWII.  It’s based on John’s own childhood experiences.   As a young boy, this is a time in history that’s more of an adventure, a lack of regular order, with less restrictions and discipline.  I’m sure the adults in this film have more somber and grim memories of this time period!!

     There seems to be either bad or good reviews but not in between?  Sometimes it does seem too long, dragging and boring at times.  3* (This movie is OK)

113 min, Comedy directed by John Boorman with Sarah Miles, David Hayman, Sebastian Rice-Edwards, Geraldine Muir, Sammi Davis, Derrick O’Connor, Susan Wooldridge, Jean-Marc Barr, Ian Bannen, Annie Leon, Jill Baker, Amelda Brown, Katrine Boorman, Collin Higgins, Shelagh Fraser.

Note:  Imdb 7.4 out of 10, Roger Ebert 3*, EmpireOnline 3* out of 5* William Thomas, Amazon 3.9* out of 5* with 182 reviews, Common Sense Media age 12+ 4* out of 5*.

Special Note:  Filmed in London, Berkshire, Middlesex, Surrey, England, UK.  A 650 feet long suburban street set with seventeen semi-detached houses was constructed for this film.  At the time of filming, this was the largest set built in the UK for 25 years.  Newsreel footage shown in a theater of the RAF versus the Luftwaffe is actually from the film Battle of Britain 1969.  Originally Trevor Howard was to be in the role acted by Ian Bannen as Bill’s Grandfather George.  Katrine Boorman in the role as Charity, Bill’s aunt is the daughter of Director John Boorman.