Hope and Glory (1987)

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 ... See full summary »

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 | grandfather grandson relationship | 

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Taglines:

A story of ordinary people, in extraordinary times!!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 February 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Esperanza y gloria

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$25,497, 18 October 1987, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$10,021,120

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Nelson Entertainment, Goldcrest Films International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"News reel" footage shown in the cinemas of the RAF versus the Luftwaffe is actually from Battle of Britain (1969).

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Goofs

Dawn would have needed to lie down to give birth to the baby; she could not just have it standing up.

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Quotes

Clive Rowen: That was a googly... I taught him how, and now he turns it against me!
Grandfather George: [laughing] The law of life, cruel isn't it?

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Connections

Followed by Queen & Country (2014)

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Soundtracks

Prelude No. 4
Written by Frédéric Chopin

User Reviews

The war through a young boy's eyes

John Boorman seems to be telling us this story about his own experience about the first days of the Blitz, something that might well be the case because he must have been Bill's age when WWII broke. Mr. Boorman, working with his own material creates an accurate account of what Londoners lived through that time, in vivid detail.

We are introduced to the Rohan family, at the beginning of the story. They seem to be a typical English family of the time. When the conflict starts, Clive enlists and goes away, leaving Grace, his wife and the children, Dawn, Bill and Sue to fend for themselves. The Rohan's neighborhood suffers a lot of damage during the days of the Blitz, as homes are destroyed, even the Rohan's is badly damaged. With dignity and valor the Rohans survive the worst, although the experience seems to have been forever etched in their minds, especially young Bill, who is at the center of all that goes on.

Mr. Boorman gets excellent performances all around. Notable is young Sebastian Rice-Edwards as Bill. This young actor seems to be a natural, as well as the other young children in the picture. Sarah Miles and David Hayman, as the parents, are also quite good. Sammi Davis, the teen aged Dawn discovers love and makes us care about her character. Ian Bannen, Derrick O'Connor and Susan Woolridge are seen in minor roles.

Mr. Boorman creates a nostalgic look about the horrible experience families went through during those days.