My Boy Jack (TV 2007) 7.2
Author Rudyard Kipling and his wife search for their 17-year-old son after he goes missing during WWI. Director:Brian KirkWriter:David Haig (play) |
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My Boy Jack (TV 2007) 7.2
Author Rudyard Kipling and his wife search for their 17-year-old son after he goes missing during WWI. Director:Brian KirkWriter:David Haig (play) |
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| David Haig | ... | ||
| Daniel Radcliffe | ... | ||
| Kim Cattrall | ... | ||
| Carey Mulligan | ... | ||
| Julian Wadham | ... | ||
| Martin McCann | ... |
Bowe
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| Richard Dormer | ... |
Corporal John O'Leary
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Rúaidhrí Conroy | ... |
McHugh
(as Ruaidhri Conroy)
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| Laurence Kinlan | ... |
Doyle
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Ciaran Nolan | ... |
Daly
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| Nick Dunning | ... |
Colonel Ferguson
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| Michael McElhatton | ... |
Leo Amery MP
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Peter Gowen | ... |
H.A Gwynne
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Brian de Salvo | ... |
Field Marshal 'Bobs' Roberts
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Simon Coury | ... |
Naval Doctor
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English gentleman author Rudyard Kipling, famous for the Jungle Book, uses his considerable influence, being on a War Office propaganda think tank, to get his nearly 18 year-old son John 'Jack', admitted for military service during World war I after he is repeatedly refused on account of his bad eyesight. He is enrolled in the Irish Guards: their patriotic dream but mother and sister's nightmare. After a short officer training course Jack gets command of a platoon and embarks in France. Soon his unit suffers terrible losses and Jack is reported missing. Now mother Caroline 'Carry' Kipling proves unstoppable pushing Rudyard's influence and half of England to help find out the truth. When it finally comes, there is far less glory than gore and guilt. Written by KGF Vissers (edited P Vanderl)
"My Boy Jack" is set during WWI--a war in which many millions of young men were killed for absolutely nothing (between 5-6 million of these were Brits). However, instead of being the story about a battle or large groups of men, it's about one individual--Jack Kipling, the only son of Rudyard Kipling. What makes it so compelling is that Jack shouldn't have even been in action--he was practically blind and had been repeatedly rejected for service. But, since his father was a public figure and had pushed so much for the war as well as the whole 'duty to King and country' rot, it wasn't surprising that the boy felt compelled to push and push to get into the thick of the action. What happens next isn't at all surprising--and gives his family a chance to reassess their values and commitment to the cause as well as their own part in the tragedy.
This is a very effective film. Much of it is because of the fine acting by Daniel Ratcliffe (as Jack), Carey Mulligan, Kim Cattrall (as his American mother) and David Haig as Rudyard Kipling. What makes it a little more interesting is that the true story was based on a play written by Haig himself. Overall, it's a wonderful but incredibly sad film that puts an individual face on tragedy. Well worth seeing and filled with emotion--so much so that you really should have some Kleenex handy. One of the better made for TV movies I have seen.