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Summerhill

  • TV Movie
  • 20082008
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
367
YOUR RATING
Tigerlily Hutchinson, Felix Yanez, Olly Alexander, Jessie Cave, and Holly Bodimeade in Summerhill (2008)
  • Drama
Summerhill, whose headmistress is Zoe Redhead, is a seventy year old progressive school, run on cooperative lines with pupils having an equal say in its constitution. However officious OFSTE... Read allSummerhill, whose headmistress is Zoe Redhead, is a seventy year old progressive school, run on cooperative lines with pupils having an equal say in its constitution. However officious OFSTED inspector Wharton regards it as a waste of money and a means of teaching children disres... Read allSummerhill, whose headmistress is Zoe Redhead, is a seventy year old progressive school, run on cooperative lines with pupils having an equal say in its constitution. However officious OFSTED inspector Wharton regards it as a waste of money and a means of teaching children disrespect - though his assistant Myrtle is charmed by its ambience. In a court hearing to decid... Read all
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
367
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Jon East
  • Writer
    • Alison Hume
  • Stars
    • Olly Alexander
    • Annette Badland
    • Holly Bodimeade
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jon East
  • Writer
    • Alison Hume
  • Stars
    • Olly Alexander
    • Annette Badland
    • Holly Bodimeade
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1User review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 BAFTA Award
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Photos

    Annette Badland and Ron Cook in Summerhill (2008)
    Olly Alexander and Jessie Cave in Summerhill (2008)
    Summerhill (2008)
    Add photo

    Top cast

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    Olly Alexander
    Olly Alexander
    • Nedas Ned
    Annette Badland
    Annette Badland
    • Myrtleas Myrtle
    Holly Bodimeade
    Holly Bodimeade
    • Maddyas Maddy
    Eliot Otis Brown Walters
    Eliot Otis Brown Walters
    • Ryanas Ryan
    Jessie Cave
    Jessie Cave
    • Stellaas Stella
    Ron Cook
    Ron Cook
    • Whartonas Wharton
    Ruth Gemmell
    Ruth Gemmell
    • Roseas Rose
    Rose Heiney
    • Emmaas Emma
    Sam Hoare
    Sam Hoare
    • Philas Phil
    Orlando Hotopf
    • Band memberas Band member
    Tigerlily Hutchinson
    Tigerlily Hutchinson
    • Lucyas Lucy
    Rose Hutton
    • Mirias Miri
    Lakechia Jeanne
    • Heatheras Heather
    Lola Mae Loughran
    Lola Mae Loughran
    • Ellenas Ellen
    Nick Malinowski
    Nick Malinowski
    • Mattas Matt
    Ester Mangas
    • Carmenas Carmen
    Murray McArthur
    Murray McArthur
    • Fire Officeras Fire Officer
    Connor McIntyre
    Connor McIntyre
    • Lenas Len
    • Director
      • Jon East
    • Writer
      • Alison Hume
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Summerhill School was founded by A.S. Neill in 1921.

    User reviews1

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    A delightful film for children - which adults should see
    For me, A S Niell's Summerhill school concept always seemed rather strange - schoolchildren have complete freedom to what they want rather than what they should, even to absent themselves from any class if they wish. They also have equal voting rights in all matters of school government.

    This film was produced for the BBC's children's channel CBBC and is a pure delight. The lines between Good - everyone associated with the school and Bad - the Ofsted inspectors, and by association, the Government, are drawn very clearly, to the point of caricature. The children are charming and fun loving, the teachers are warm and caring. The inspectors are rigid, disciplined and humourless. There is also a clear political agenda behind their actions.

    The inspectors condemn the school, but the school appeals and goes to law. Their counsel turns out to be the renowned human rights barrister Geoffrey Robertson. Even the judge is humane and generously gives over his courtroom for a meeting of the school council.

    The only part of this film which - for me - was weak was the medieval visualisation by one child of the court procedure. But then, I'm not a twelve year old child, I'm not in the audience the film is directed to.

    I hope it gets a wider showing and a DVD release.
    helpful•15
    3
    • letrayas
    • Jan 29, 2008

    Details

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    • Release date
      • 2008 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Production company
      • Tiger Aspect Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      2 hours
    • Color
      • Color

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