Hope and Glory poster

1987·113 min·Released

Hope and Glory

“The epic story of a world at war. And a boy at play.”

Drama
War
Family

A middle-aged man recalls his childhood growing up in and around London during World War II.

6.9(216 votes)

Popularity1

Videos

Hope and Glory Official Trailer #1 - Ian Bannen Movie (1987) HD

Cast & Crew

Sebastian Rice-Edwards

Sebastian Rice-Edwards

Bill

Geraldine Muir

Geraldine Muir

Sue

Sarah Miles

Sarah Miles

Grace

David Hayman

David Hayman

Clive

Sammi Davis

Sammi Davis

Dawn

Derrick O'Connor

Derrick O'Connor

Mac

Susan Wooldridge

Susan Wooldridge

Molly

Jean-Marc Barr

Jean-Marc Barr

Bruce

Ian Bannen

Ian Bannen

Grandfather George

Annie Leon

Annie Leon

Grandma

Jill Baker

Jill Baker

Faith

Amelda Brown

Amelda Brown

Hope

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CinemaSerf

Written on 1/30/2024

This film contains one of the funniest wartime scenes I think I've ever seen... The fish! Anyway, it all centres around the young "Bill" (Sebastian Rice-Edwards) who finds himself - along with mother "Grace" (Sarah Miles) and elder sister "Susie" (Geraldine Muir) caught up in London at the start of WWII. His father (David Hayman) is soon away fighting and his mother refuses to be parted from her children so they stay and muddle through the bombs and the mayhem, the death and the disaster - all whilst, though the eyes of this bold and unafraid child, we see an opportunity for mischief and joy. This is especially apparent when the school of their rather puritanical/Dickensian headmaster (Gerald James) is blown to smithereens. As he and his sister get a bit older, their hormones also start to kick in a little and the joys of illicit sex (or is it true love?) for her and bemusement - and a bit of fibbing - for him are enjoyable to watch. Then they head to their grandfather "George" (the scene-stealing Ian Bannen) who keeps a large house and though outwardly quite strict, is actually a wonderful tonic for his family and for the viewer watching. The narrative doesn't shy away from the ghastliness of war, but it contextualises it engagingly by using the innocence of the youngsters to illustrate that even amidst the rubble there is fun to be had in their hideouts, straight out of an Enid Blyton story. Miles is strong here as the mother who struggles to bring up her children amongst all this carnage, whilst also remaining keen to keep her family together for the spirit-lifting occasional visits from dad. The thing is genuinely funny at times, too - you'll see what I mean about an act of God and the fish, but he's also in a gang that give out ranking points depending on which swear words you know - the "f" word being the ultimate emergency alarm call. The sterling and charming effort from Rice-Edwards parallels a little with Christian Bale's in "Empire of the Sun" that was also made in 1987 and also looks ar war from a child's perspective. This kind of film is the kind the British do well - the stiff upper lip stuff, sure, but also the portrayal of a stoicism, humour and strength of character (not always obvious!) and John Boorman writes and directs with skill and empathy as we progress. If you can, see it in a cinema - the cinematography is great at subtly conveying the wreckage and the pastoral with equal eloquence and I did enjoy this.

Media

Hope and Glory Official Trailer #1 - Ian Bannen Movie (1987) HD

Hope and Glory Official Trailer #1 - Ian Bannen Movie (1987) HD