My Boy Jack (2007) (TV)

Director:

Brian Kirk

Writers:

David Haig (play)
David Haig (screenplay)

Release Date:

20 April 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | War

Plot:

Author Rudyard Kipling and his wife search for their 17-year-old son after he goes missing during WWI. |

Plot Keywords:

Kipling | British Army | Problem | Lieutenant | Army

Awards:

3 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

David Haig	...	Rudyard Kipling
Daniel Radcliffe	...	John Kipling
Kim Cattrall	...	Caroline Kipling
Carey Mulligan	...	Elsie Kipling
Julian Wadham	...	King George V
Martin McCann	...	Bowe
Richard Dormer	...	Corporal O'Leary
Rúaidhrí Conroy	...	McHugh (as Ruaidhri Conroy)
Laurence Kinlan	...	Doyle
Ciaran Nolan	...	Daly
Nick Dunning	...	Colonel Ferguson
Michael McElhatton	...	Leo Amery MP
Peter Gowen	...	H.A Gwynne
Brian de Salvo	...	Field Marshal 'Bobs' Roberts
Simon Coury	...	Naval Doctor

Runtime:

UK:93 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Netherlands:16

Filming Locations:

Ardmore Studios - Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland

Company:

Ecosse Films

Trivia:

Several scenes were shot at the actual Rudyard Kipling estate, Bateman's, where Kipling lived from 1902 until his death.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In the movie Jack Kipling is shown wearing an officer's tunic with rank pips on the shoulders and with no rank markings on the lower sleeves. This is incorrect for 1915. Until 1917 officer rank was always displayed on the lower sleeves.

Quotes:

[last lines]
Rudyard Kipling: Have you news of my boy Jack?/ Not this tide./ When d'you think that he'll come back?/ Not with this wind blowing, and this tide./ Has any one else had word of him?/ Not this tide./ For what is sunk will hardly swim, Not with this wind blowing, and this tide./ Oh...

Soundtrack:

Happy Birthday to You

Slow but watchable

This film is about a famous writer helping his young son to get into the army during the World War I. His son then went missing, and he gets haunted by his decision since.

I find "My Boy Jack" touching but rather slow, and hence it did not capture my fullest attention. Rudyard Kipling's final guilt and regret is well portrayed, but I find the transition from a brainwashing propaganda worker to a tormented father is not convincing enough. I am the most impressed by Kim Cattrall's performance, as she consistently conveys her anger, pain and frustration at the situation. Her British accent is impressive, but she slipped on the words "pond" and "daughter" in the scene where she questions a soldier.

"My Boy Jack" will not be the best anti-war film, but it has good productions and is certain watchable.