andyhumm Review of Hope and Glory

Hope and Glory (1987)

Unsentimental war-at-home picture from the viewpoint of an English boy.

[10/10 · 5 January 2001]

John Boorman gave us films like "Deliverance," "Excalibur," and "The Emerald Forest," but this is his finest. He shows us what war feels like to a nine-year old kid who views his family and others around him in all their naivete, pluck, heroism, pettiness, and humanity. Just because World War II is on and the neighborhood is being bombed by the Germans doesn't mean that people aren't still people. And while their lives are deeply disrupted, kids still play and get into mischief. The period recreation is terrific as are the performances, especially Ian Bannen as the cantankerous grandfather. Parts of this movie are laugh out loud funny (favorite line: "Thank you, Adolf!"), others gently touching. One of my favorite films of all time. It merits re-watching.