Hope and Glory (1987)

94% of critics liked it
(17 reviews)
81% of users liked it
(5,364 ratings)

An affectionate reverie about war, childhood, and British stoicism, John Boorman's Hope and Glory is the veteran filmmaker's recollection of the bombing of London during World War II. Set on the British home front during the early days of the war, this episodic movie shows the blitz through the eyes… More An affectionate reverie about war, childhood, and British stoicism, John Boorman's Hope and Glory is the veteran filmmaker's recollection of the bombing of London during World War II. Set on the British home front during the early days of the war, this episodic movie shows the blitz through the eyes of seven-year-old Billy Rohan (Sebastian Rice-Edwards). At the war's outset, Billy finds himself alone in a house full of women, as all the men are called off to join the war effort. With wide-eyed wonder and an outsized imagination, Billy sees the war as a grand diversion, an extension of his world of knights, tin soldiers, and war games. As bombs fall and houses burn, Billy's mother (Sarah Miles) struggles to keep the family together in her husband's absence. Even as Billy seeks to escape the harem of aunts and sisters, Dawn (Sammi Davis), his older sister, falls for a Canadian soldier, who gets her pregnant. After the Rohans' home catches fire (not, ironically, as the result of a bomb blast, but from a domestic accident), the family is forced to move in with Billy's cantankerous grandfather in the countryside, where they spend the rest of their summer and enjoy an unusual idyll amid the raging war. Nominated in 1987 for a Best Picture Academy Award, Hope and Glory proved to be another high point in the career of the remarkably protean Boorman. ~ Elbert Ventura, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: John Boorman
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 9, 1987 Wide
On DVD: Jun 5, 2001
Studio: Nelson Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
The Blitz as a comedy: Director John Boorman offers a warmly nostalgic view of his childhood in a London suburb during WWII.
Lori Hoffman, Atlantic City Weekly
Touching World War II remembrance of Blitz-torn London
Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
Charming.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
A wonderful and touching story about life during wartime.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
One of Boorman's best, most personal films.
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World
A classic chronicle of civilian life during wartime
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
The antics of the colorful characters and its fast-paced story line give Hope and Glory all the spontaneity of a child at play.

Read all 7 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Candy R

War time movie about a boy and his family during the London blitz. The Germans bomb London during the World War II, families homes are destroyed, neighbours die and people are displaced. Even with the war around them, they find time for family, fun and celebrations.
Anthony L

My Gran said it was realistic and she was in the blitz, so that?s good enough for me! Great film!
Robert C

A very moving, funny and thouching look at a young boys life in England during World War II. I loved this film immediately upon first viewing and having enjoyed it everytime that I have watched it since.
jay n

Interesting child's eye view of England at war. You can feel the director's engagement with his subject.
Lord N

Oh yeah this film rocks. one of the funniest films I've ever seen. I loved the ending. it is one of the most brilliant endings i have ever seen. the story of the bombing of london through the eyes of a child is a fresh new perspective. that perspective came through in the humor… More
Oh yeah this film rocks. one of the funniest films I've ever seen. I loved the ending. it is one of the most brilliant endings i have ever seen. the story of the bombing of london through the eyes of a child is a fresh new perspective. that perspective came through in the humor too. just the childlike humor is one of the things that makes this film so lovable. brilliant, perfect, funny. I loved this film. it had a good story and the jokes were excellent. yeah brilliant.
Donna D

Such a charming movie with cute british children in the lead roles. John Boorman did a great job with this charming movie.
Barry L

Excellent movie. Nuff said.
Leo L

An amazing movie! Love it!!

Read all 8 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Sebastian Rice-Edwards as Bill Rohan

            Sarah Miles as Grace Rohan

            David Hayman as Clive Rohan

            Derrick O'Connor as Mac

            Susan Wooldridge as Molly

            Sammi Davis as Dawn Rohan

            Ian Bannen as George

            Jean-Marc Barr as Cpl. Bruce Carey

            Anne Leon as Bill's Grandmother

            Amelda Brown as Hope

            Jill Baker as Faith

            Katrine Boorman as Charity

            Geraldine Muir as Sue Rohan

            Nicky Taylor as Roger

            Gerald James as Headmaster

            Sara Langton as Pauline

            Barbara Pierson as Teacher

            Charley Boorman as Luftwaffe Pilot

            Susan Brown as Mrs. Evans

            Arthur Cox as Fireman

            Colin Dale as Roger's Gang

            Shelagh Fraser as WVS Woman

            John Boorman as Narrator

            Ann Thornton as Honeymoon Couple

            William Armstrong as Canadian Sergeant

            Andrew Bicknell as Honeymoon Couple

            Imogen Cawrse as Jennifer

            Christine Crowshaw as Pianist

            Peter Hughes as Policeman

            Nicholas Askew
            
            Colin Higgins as Clive's Friend
See full cast

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