Friday Night British Film Pick - Hope and Glory

Our choice pick for the Friday night British movie is Hope and Glory (1987). I am not really one for digging up our proud history of war, but this movie is an unforgotten gem.

I was searching for an online movie to watch on Wednesday night via Netflix(USA based movie rental company that ships DVD through the post - but also offer online older streaming media). I searched the latest additions to watch and found Hope and Glory. I remember watching this film when I was still a teenager (showing my age) and did not really digest the importance of war times and the stress and strength of the British nation being under attack in World War II. I found much enjoyment this time around and feel more proud to be British, even though I was born after the war effort.

In some ways I feel envious of not living in those times as it might make me appreciate the standard of life in this decade. There was a real sense of community spirit and humour in those days. This is what we need in this recession period. Keep Calm And Carry On!
I will probably drop by the grocery store tonight and buy a bottle of wine, chocloate and maybe a roasted chicken. I wonder if I could get these goods from a ration book in the 1940's. Tough times.

Hope and Glory is a 1987 British comedy-drama-war film, written and directed by John Boorman. Boorman based the film on his own early life experiences of growing up in the Blitz in London during World War II.The title of the movie derives from the traditional British patriotic song "Land of Hope and Glory".

The film received nominations for Academy Awards for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Picture and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen.

Sypnosis
Beginning just before the start of World War II, the movie tells the story of the Rohan family: Bill, his sisters Sue and Dawn, and his parents Grace and Clive, living in a suburb of London. After the war starts, Clive joins the army, whilst Grace continues to watch over the children.

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 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 older sister falls for a Canadian soldier and finding her life turned upside down, soon discovers how valuable family is. The family eventually moves outside of their London suburban home to the home of Grace's parents.