An engaging suburban child’s eye perspective of war as young Bill discovers the bombsites of World War II London offer all kinds of adventure.
Remaining in London during the Blitz with dad (David Hayman) off to war, the Rohan family struggle through the everyday. Food shortages, bombings, constant interrupt to their daily lives mixed with the all too real destruction of homes and news from the allies. But for Billy (Sebastian Rice-Edwards), it also offers adventure as gangs of young boys treasure hunt and wantonly destroy the ruins of bombed houses and factories. Mom Sarah Miles does her best to keep a degree of normality and controlling the growing-up-too-fast 15 year-old daughter Dawn (Sammi Davis) but with the family home detroyed by fire, she moves to the idyllic banks of the River Thames and her catankerous father (Ian Bannen) and long suffering mother (Annie Lennon).
An inevitably skewed perspective of war, this semi-autobiographical tale from writer/director John Boorman is full of charm and wry family drama. Nostalgic spirit and make-do stoicism aplenty that made today would be an eight-part miniseries.
Nominated for 5 Oscars in 1988 including best film, director and orignal screenplay.
Rating: 70%
Director: John Boorman (Deliverance, Excalibur)
Writer: John Boorman (The Tailor of Panama, Excalibur)
Main cast: Sebastian Rice-Edwards (Young Bill), Sarah Miles (Ryan’s Daughter, The Servant), David Hayman (Fisherman’s Friends, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas)
An Opinion or Two 