Albert's Memorial (2009)

London, 2000:- Terminally ill Albert summons old war buddies Frank and Harry to his hospital bed with a bizarre request. When he dies, he wants them to snatch his corpse from the hospital ... See full summary »

Director:

David Richards

Writer:

Thomas Ellice (screenplay)

Stars:

David Jason, David Warner, Judith Hoersch

Cast

Complete credited cast:
David Jason	...	Harry
David Warner	...	Frank
Judith Hoersch	...	Vicki
Michael Jayston	...	Albert
Nick Bennett	...	Young Harry
Scott Harrison	...	Young Frank
Adam Flynn	...	Young Albert
Christine Ellerbeck	...	Joy Fellows
John Alastair	...	Truck Driver
Laura Rogers	...	Rachel
Jody Pennock	...	Tracy (as Ruby Tuesday)
Hasina Haque	...	Nurse

Storyline

London, 2000:- Terminally ill Albert summons old war buddies Frank and Harry to his hospital bed with a bizarre request. When he dies, he wants them to snatch his corpse from the hospital morgue and drive it, in Harry's taxi, to Germany, where they all met, for burial. Thanks to Frank's ingenuity they get the body past Customs but almost lose it in France, recovering it thanks to Vicki, a German hitch-hiker that they pick up. Their good deed is in part atonement for allowing a German girl that they knew fifty-five years earlier to be killed by Russian soldiers, as they explain to Vicki. They dug her grave too and now bury Albert in close proximity to it. Vicki departs but the two old friends find her presence has been positive for them.

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Plot Keywords:

character name in title | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Harry and Frank drive past the 'real' Albert Memorial on their way to collect Albert's body.

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Quotes

[Albert has asked Harry and Frank to take his body from the morgue and bury it in Germany when he dies. Harry, who is a taxi-driver, thinks that there could be a problem with doing this...]
Harry: It's against my licence to carry a corpse... or a rabid dog, come to think of it.
Frank: [angrily] Fine, I'll order a mini-cab!
Harry: All right, all right. But if they catch us, they'll certify us. How would you like to spend the rest of your life in a padded cell?
Frank: [angrily] No problem... just so long as it isn't with you.

User Reviews

A road movie - 2 old men (and hitchhiker) revisit their WWII memories.

Albert (deceased) is one of 3 British WWII vets, whose 2 remaining friends honour his wish to be buried at the site of their shared wartime experience, in Germany.

It's classification as a comedy is inadequate. It's gently mocking tone evokes smiles rather than laughter, and it's sentimentality gradually builds to show troubling memories shared by the 2 aged vets, which their bemused hitchhiker tries to soothe.

The use of artifice is restrained, cinematography and soundtrack are plain but effective, and the downbeat dialogue and acting suits the story.

The languid pace of this film may deter some, but it richly rewards those viewers who watch it in full: this is a film of rare beauty and power.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 September 2010 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Port of Dover, Kent, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

ITV - Independent Television

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1