Hope and Glory [DVD] [1987] [2005]

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Product Description ------------------- “From accled director John Boorman comes a tale of hope and courage set amongst the rubble-strewn streets of bomb-ravaged London during the Second World War. Seen through the eyes of a young boy, the “fireworks” provided by the Blitz every night are as exciting as they are terrifying. His family do not see things in quite the same way and, as the bombs continue to drop, their will to survive brings them closer together. The nightly raids do not provide the only drama, however, as his sister falls for a Canadian airman and, finding her life turned upside down, soon discovers how valuable the bonds of family can become. Hope and Glory paints a picture of a world riven by conflict and yet united in resistance to the creeping tide of war that seems to be marching ever closer. Wining numerous awards worldwide and nominated for both BAFTAs and Academy Awards, this film is truly a modern classic.” .co.uk Review ------------- 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 . 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 s 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