Hope and Glory (1987)

Bill, a young boy living on the outskirts of London experiences the exhilaration of World War II. During this period, Bill learns about sex, death, love, hypocrisy, and the faults of adults as he prowls the ruins of bombed houses.

Director:

John Boorman

Writer:

John Boorman

Stars:

Sarah Miles, David Hayman, Sebastian Rice-Edwards

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 16 wins & 24 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sebastian Rice-Edwards	...	Bill (as Sebastian Rice Edwards)
Geraldine Muir	...	Sue
Sarah Miles	...	Grace
David Hayman	...	Clive
Sammi Davis	...	Dawn
Derrick O'Connor	...	Mac
Susan Wooldridge	...	Molly
Jean-Marc Barr	...	Bruce
Ian Bannen	...	Grandfather George
Annie Leon	...	Grandma
Jill Baker	...	Faith
Amelda Brown	...	Hope
Katrine Boorman	...	Charity
Colin Higgins	...	Clive's Pal
Shelagh Fraser	...	WVS Woman

Storyline

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 World War II. For a young boy, this time in history was more of an adventure, a total upheaval of order, restrictions and discipline. The liberating effect of the war on the women left behind. And the joy when Hitler blows up your school.

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Plot Keywords:

warplane | school bombing | london blitz | premarital sex | 1940s | 

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Taglines:

War is Hell. But occasionally it's kind of nifty.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the second World War II movie made by director John Boorman. The first had been Hell in the Pacific (1968), nineteen years earlier. He would later make the war-related film, Beyond Rangoon (1995).

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Goofs

The string quartet of Grace, Faith, Hope, and Charity is clearly not actually playing the piece of classical music near the end of the film. Also, the Mozart serenade in G K.525 (Eine kleine Nachtmusik, or "A Little Night Music") that they are supposedly playing is scored for five instruments, not four.

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Quotes

Grandfather George: You want to know why they're called Faith, Hope, Grace and Charity?
Bill Rowen: Why?
Grandfather George: Your Grandmother. She named them after the virtues I lack. That's marriage for you!

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Connections

Referenced in Seinfeld: The Stakeout (1990)

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Soundtracks

Flat Foot Floogie
Words and music by Slim Gaillard, Slam Stewart, and Bud Green
Performed by Benny Goodman

User Reviews

Through the eyes of a child

Undoubtably one of the best movies about "the home front" of WWII, Hope and Glory effectively recalls the child's perspective of living amidst the rubble of the Blitz. The film's strength, in my view, is how people tried their best to maintain their normal lives and customs as their world crumbled around them, both literally and figuratively.

The young man playing the central character does a fine job of bringing Boorman's childhood to life. The natural ability of children to adjust to change (but not without consequences) is brilliantly depicted. The "gang" sequences were not only funny but also felt remarkably true, especially the collection of plundered booty and scrap war material. It's just the type of mischief you'd expect from letting the boys run wild through this type of damage.

Sarah Miles and Sammi Davis are excellent as the mother and older sister to the central character; their interaction shows the damage war does to relationships and moral values. The highlight for me was the grandfather, however. The gentleman stole every scene in which he appears. The final scenes of the movie show his delight in his grandson in such a novel and moving way that it became almost the film's highlight.

I worked with a man who lived in London during the war, when he would have been the same age as the boy in this story. He told me that he considered this movie the best one he'd ever seen on World War II and recommended that I watch it. I've never regretted it. Thanks, Jack.

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 February 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hope and Glory

Filming Locations:

Bray Studios, Down Place, Oakley Green, Berkshire, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$25,497, 18 October 1987

Gross USA:

$10,021,120

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,021,120

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Nelson Entertainment, Goldcrest Films International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1