Glorious 39 (2009)

The adopted daughter of a privileged British politician uncovers a family secret in the weeks leading up to World War II.

Director:

Stephen Poliakoff

Writer:

Stephen Poliakoff

Stars:

Romola Garai, Eddie Redmayne, Juno Temple

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Romola Garai	...	Anne
Eddie Redmayne	...	Ralph
Juno Temple	...	Celia
Toby Regbo	...	Michael
Christopher Lee	...	Walter
Corin Redgrave	...	Oliver
Charlie Cox	...	Lawrence
David Tennant	...	Hector
Bill Nighy	...	Alexander
Jeremy Northam	...	Balcombe
Katharine Burford	...	Lucy
Jenny Agutter	...	Maud
Julie Christie	...	Aunt Elizabeth
Hugh Bonneville	...	Gilbert
Asier Newman	...	Mick

Storyline

1939 is set between present-day London and the idyllic British countryside in the time before the beginning of the Second World War. At a time of uncertainty and high tension, the story revolves around the formidable Keyes family, who are keen to uphold and preserve their very traditional way of life. The eldest sibling Anne is a budding young actress who is in love with Foreign Office official Lawrence, but her seemingly perfect life begins to dramatically unravel when she stumbles across secret recordings of the pro-appeasement movement. While trying to discover the origin of these recordings, dark secrets are revealed which lead to the death of a great friend. As war breaks out Anne discovers the truth and flees to London to try to confirm her suspicions, but she is caught and imprisoned and only then does she finally begin to discover how badly she has been betrayed.

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Plot Keywords:

adopted daughter | foreign office | actress | hitchcockian | animal cremation | 

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Genres:

Drama | History | Thriller | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violent images, language and brief sexuality/nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

Final theatrical movie of Corin Redgrave (Oliver).

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Quotes

Elizabeth: This little war makes everything uncertain...

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Connections

Featured in Breakfast: Episode dated 12 August 2011 (2011)

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Soundtracks

Walkin' & Swingin'
(Mary Lou Williams)
Performed by Benny Goodman
Courtesy of GRP Records
Licensed by kind permission of Universal Music Operation Ltd.

User Reviews

Puzzling plot holes

I enjoyed this movie because it took a turn I wasn't expecting when the family started acting strangely. I didn't start to think about the plot holes till it was over--I kept thinking it would all come clear. But I gotta admit it didn't make sense.

(1) Anne was adopted. Then we learn she was a gypsy. The English have always been so class conscious that an upper class person hardly speaks to anyone except those in their circle, so I find it impossible to believe they would take a Roma child into their family as a full member.

(2) Before the war started, England was divided on their opinion of going to war. This is easily documented in any history book about WW 11. Some people wanted the war, some people didn't, some were sympathetic to Hitler (The Duke and Duchess of Windsor), and some just wanted him to go away.

(3) At that time, (like now) the opinions of young women were regarded lightly. What they had to say did not account for much. Especially in politics, they were ignored.

In view of (1) (2)and (3), please someone tell me why the Keyes family went to so much trouble, murder, lies, deception, cruelty to animals, and darn near killing Anne, just because she might hold a different opinion on the war. When her father was explaining it all to her, all he could come up with was she was a Roma (gypsy) and didn't fall in with the families' opinion of the war. It's pretty darn strange and puzzling to me. What did I miss? She wasn't political at all till they started their odd behavior.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 November 2009 (UK)

Also Known As:

Glorious 39

Filming Locations:

Castle Acre Priory, Swaffham, Norfolk, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

GBP3,700,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$182,253

Company Credits

Production Co:

BBC Films, UK Film Council, Screen East Content Investment Fund

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1