Just Henry (TV 2011)

When his father's World War II war medal is posted to him, Henry decides to investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death. But is Henry prepared for the truth?

Director:

David Moore

Writers:

Michelle Magorian (novel), Michael Chaplin

Stars:

Josh Bolt, Charlie May-Clark, John Henshaw

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Josh Bolt	...	Henry
Charlie May-Clark	...	Grace (as Charlie May Clark)
John Henshaw	...	Charlie
Elaine Cassidy	...	Maureen
Dean Andrews	...	Bill
Sheila Hancock	...	Gran
Perry Millward	...	Paul Jeffries
Barbara Flynn	...	Mrs. Beaumont
Pooky Quesnel	...	Mrs. Jeffries
Stephen Campbell Moore	...	Joey Dodge
Simon Kunz	...	Inspector Titmuss
Conor Ryan	...	Boy (as Connor Ryan)
John Draycott	...	Photographer
Vicky Connett	...	1st Movie Fan (as Victoria Connett)
Sarah Price	...	2nd Movie Fan

Storyline

Henry dodge is a troubled 15 year old haunted by his father's tragic death in world war II. Whilst taking photographs for his school project, he spots a man in the background with a striking resemblance to his father, upon seeing the photograph, his mother passes out with shock, could it be his father has returned from the dead? Or is something more sinister at work?

---

Plot Keywords:

death | family relationships | murder | father son relationship | based on novel

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Details

Official Sites:

ITV [uk]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 December 2011 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Quarry Mount Primary School, Cross Quarry Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

ITV Productions, ITV Studios, Independent Television (ITV)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Color:

Color Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Henry watches Great Expectations at the cinema, it is projected at the wrong aspect ratio: despite being made in 4:3, it is projected in widescreen (it looks to be about 16:9) and hence all the people are short and fat.

---

Connections

Features The Third Man (1949)

User Reviews

A reasonably enjoyable, feelgood TV drama that lacks edge

Based on a novel of the same name by English writer Michelle Magorian (who also wrote Goodnight Mister Tom, which has also been dramatised for television), Just Henry is a sentimental drama of the kind that used to appear regularly on British TV at Sunday teatime. Set in the north of England in the post-Second World War period, it tells the coming of age story of 15-year old schoolboy Henry. Henry lives with his mother, his stepfather and his (at times) rather spiteful paternal grandmother. His father has been dead for 9 years - he would have been 38 years old at the time the story is set - and seemingly died a war hero. Henry's grandmother believes that her daughter-in-law's new husband isn't a patch on her dead son and is constantly trying to undermine their relationship. However, things are not quite as they seem - and Henry has to confront some interesting truths about his Dad, at a time when he is wrestling with adolescence, his discovery of the opposite sex and the need to apply himself to his education.

Just Henry is enjoyable enough. It is very well acted by a good cast. The problem, as I see it, is that it is rather too twee and sentimental. It could have done with more edge. Too much of it is bathed (both actually and metaphorically) in a layer of soft focus, almost sepia-tinted cinematography. The delineation between good and bad is simplistic. And the ending is unnecessary and ridiculous. It does not in any way stretch the viewer. Rather, it simply invites you to sit back, relax and bask in its wholesome atmosphere. A pleasant, entertaining but undemanding 80 or so minutes of TV. 6/10.