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 2. 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 Rohan (as Sebastian Rice Edwards)
Geraldine Muir	...	Sue Rohan
Sarah Miles	...	Grace Rohan
David Hayman	...	Clive Rohan
Sammi Davis	...	Dawn Rohan
Derrick O'Connor	...	Mac
Susan Wooldridge	...	Molly
Jean-Marc Barr	...	Cpl. Bruce Carrey
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 2. 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:

The epic story of a world at war. And a boy at play.

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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

The extras in the Home Guard unit that shoot down the rogue barrage balloon (1:01) were selected to look like the cast of "Dad's Army," the beloved, long-running BBC sit-com about the Home Guard.

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Goofs

When Bill is being chased, the dog is running next to him in the last couple of shots.

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Quotes

Grace Rowan: Don't kill love. You'll regret it for the rest of your life.

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Connections

Featured in The 100 Greatest War Films (2005)

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Soundtracks

Prelude No. 4
Written by Frédéric Chopin

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.