Hope And Glory [1987]

Amazon.com

This winning 1987 epic written and directed by John Boorman (Deliverance, The General) serves as a picaresque and semi-autobiographical remembrance of a boy's coming of age during the Second World War. Exhibiting a defiant and humorous take on life during the London blitz, the family of the young boy at the center of the story (Sebastian Rice-Edwards) are a close-knit and resilient bunch, undeterred in the face of the war and revelling in each other's company even as they hide from the incessant bombing. To be sure, there are some poignant moments in this childhood reminiscence, such as when the boy's older sister (Sammi Davis) falls in love with a Canadian, becomes pregnant, and marries him, only to see him taken away by the military police. And the boy's mother (Sarah Miles) serves as a strong influence in the his life as she leads her family through this tumultuous time.

The majestic sweep of the film is contrasted with so many comic moments as the people in town go about the mundane details of their daily lives yet also engage in the most absurd rituals in dealing with the onslaught of German artillery - from taking the air raids for granted to wearing gas masks at school. Boorman doesn't dwell on the horrors of war; instead he celebrates the richness and resilience of the people he remembers so fondly. An adventurous and nostalgic slice of life, Hope and Glory is a superb and memorable film. --Robert Lane

Customer Reviews:

How Many Swear Words Do You Know.......2007-03-26

I first saw this film on TV about 10 years ago, recorded it at the time and watched it several times over. Having got rid of all my videos I realised that I had it no more!! Very, very pleased to find it, and at a bargain price as well. I would recomend this film to anyone who enjoys watching films on a Sunday afternoon infront of the fire. Excellent script, acting and sets. More than worth the fiver.

"What are all the "PINK BITS".........2006-10-01

We first saw this when we younger. We loved it. A film full of fun about a family in the war in london then moving to the country. We just love to quote lines from it...and no one knows what your on about....
"Thank you Adolf... it was a stray bomb!"
A TRUE GREAT OF A BRITISH FILM.
Everyone should see it and you'll just want to watch it again and again...
I would give 10+ stars if i could.

my favourite film.......2005-10-30

This is such a wonderful film, I first saw it when i was 12 and loved it then as a gung ho, exciting story, now as a "grown up" I love it for the brilliant acting, sets, story, everything, it's fabulous!

Endearing Endurance.......2005-09-23

This film focuses on an English family which struggles to cope with the Blitz during World War Two. The devastation of attacks on London is brilliantly juxtaposed with the idyllic countryside to which Grace Rohan (Sarah Miles) relocates with her children after her husband Clive (David Hayman) goes off to war. Much of the story is based on director John Boorman's own childhood experiences at a time when there seemed so little reason for hope. "Glory" certainly describes the eventual Allied victory but also the courage of the English people meanwhile and certainly the affirmation of shared values which bound so many families together amidst fear, separation, death, and destruction. Much of the film's focus is on Grace's father (Ian Bannen), a patriarch to be sure and (at times) something of an eccentric, but a loving and decent man nonetheless, struggling to cope with all manner of domestic crises while providing a safe haven for daughters Grace, Faith, Hope, and Charity. He and grandson Billy (Sebastian Rice Edwards) forge a special bond in response to the pastoral "harem" in which they find themselves. This is a charming film but also one which also offers some sobering insights into how disruptive wartime conditions can be, especially to a sensible and sensitive boy such as Billy. His perspective is presumably Boorman's (re-established years later) and done so with style and grace.

Average customer rating:

Hope and Glory
Truth

Hope and Glory [1987] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Starring: Sebastian Rice-Edwards , Geraldine Muir , Sarah Miles , David Hayman , and Sammi Davis
Director: John Boorman
Manufacturer: MGM
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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All Drama | Drama | Categories | DVD | Video

Comedy | Drama | Categories | DVD | Video

Region 1 | Special Features | DVD | Video

DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00005AUJS
Release Date: 2001-06-05

Customer Reviews:

Hope and Glory.......2005-06-23

One of the best film on WWII in London... and surprisingly enough not available in the UK (and not even in European format).
I first saw the film about 15 years ago and have now bought it for my daughter (it fits perfectly with the year 3 curriculum) and of course for me. I think we've watched it about 10 times over the last 6 months.
Moving and fun, don't hesitate to buy it.

Truth.......2004-10-25

This film is as good as it gets for realism for the WW11 period in GREAT BRITAIN .
Lawn mowers stop mowing , war is declared and off we go , not knowing what we have in front of us . The film follows the fortunes of a family during the war with some wonderful ups and downs to which I can relate . If you are interested in WW11 then this film is a must . It will give you an insight to the way of life for ordinary folk during this difficult time as well as how the other half lived . BUY IT and ENJOY IT.... it really is how it was .

Average customer rating:

Hope and Glory [1987] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Sarah Miles
Manufacturer: Mgm Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

All Drama | Drama | Categories | DVD | Video

DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
ASIN: 6307669837
Release Date: 2005-01-11

UK DVD:

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UK DVD