Released in 1987, Hope and Glory is a semi-autobiographical film directed by John Boorman that follows the experiences of a young boy named Bill Rohan and his family during the Blitz of World War II. The film is set in London in 1940 and 1941 and tells the story of how the war impacts the lives of Bill and his family.
Hope and Glory was praised critics and audiences for its unique blend of humor and pathos, as well as its vivid portrayal of life during the Blitz. It was also noted for its exceptional performances, particularly from young actor Sebastian Rice-Edwards in the lead role.
You can watch the movie’s trailer by clicking the play button at the left of the feature image above.
The film begins with the Rohan family being evacuated from London to the countryside, but Bill is reluctant to leave his home and his friends. As the war intensifies, the family returns to London and struggles to adapt to life amid Germany’s bombing raids.
Throughout the film, Bill navigates the challenges of growing up in a time of war. He finds comfort in his love of planes and dreams of becoming a pilot, while also experiencing the horrors of the war firsthand. He witnesses bombings and destruction, and even befriends a group of American soldiers stationed nearby.
Despite its subject matter, Hope and Glory is a lighthearted and often humorous film that celebrates the resilience and spirit of the British people during World War II. It is a coming-of-age story that explores the themes of family, community, and the power of imagination in the face of adversity. The film is widely regarded as one of the best films about the Blitz and remains a beloved classic.
Critical, Box Office Success
Hope and Glory was a critical success upon its release in 1987, and it also performed well at the box office. The film grossed $10.5 million in the United States and Canada alone, which was a significant return on its relatively modest budget.
The film received numerous accolades, including five Academy Award nominations, two Golden Globe nominations, and a BAFTA award for Best Original Screenplay. Boorman was also honored with the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival.
A Life in Film
Born in 1933 in Shepperton, England, Boorman began his career as a journalist, working for various publications in London before moving into television.
In the mid-1960s, Boorman made his directorial debut with the film Catch Us If You Can, a musical comedy starring the Dave Clark Five. However, it was his second film, Point Blank, a crime drama starring Lee Marvin, that brought him critical acclaim and established his reputation as a filmmaker to watch.
Boorman’s last movie was 2014’s Queen and Country, which was a sequel to Hope and Glory. Below is a list of all the films that he has directed.
- Catch Us If You Can (1965) – a musical comedy starring The Dave Clark Five about a group of stuntmen who escape from a film set and go on the run.
- Point Blank (1967) – a crime thriller starring Lee Marvin as a man seeking revenge against the organization that double-crossed him.
- Hell in the Pacific (1968) – a World War II drama about two soldiers from opposing sides who are stranded on a deserted island and must work together to survive.
- Leo the Last (1970) – a drama about a wealthy European who becomes disillusioned with his life and tries to help the residents of a run-down London neighborhood.
- Deliverance (1972) – a thriller about four friends on a canoeing trip in rural Georgia who are forced to confront the brutality and violence of the wilderness.
- Zardoz (1974) – a science-fiction film set in a post-apocalyptic future where a group of immortal beings rule over a society of mortal humans.
- Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) – a horror sequel to “The Exorcist” about a psychiatrist who tries to uncover the truth behind the events of the first film.
- Excalibur (1981) – a retelling of the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
- The Emerald Forest (1985) – an adventure film about a man who sets out to find his son, who was abducted by an indigenous tribe in the Amazon rainforest.
- Hope and Glory (1987)
- Where the Heart Is (1990) – a drama about a Scottish widower who moves to the United States with his three children to start a new life.
- Beyond Rangoon (1995) – a drama about an American doctor who gets caught up in the political turmoil of Myanmar (Burma) in 1988.
- The General (1998) – a biopic about the life of real-life Irish criminal Martin Cahill.
- The Tailor of Panama (2001) – a spy thriller about a tailor who gets caught up in a web of espionage in Panama.
- In My Country (2004) – a drama about two journalists, one black and one white, who cover the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings.
- Queen and Country (2014) is the sequel to Hope and Glory set in the early 1950s, about a young man drafted into the British Army during the Korean War.
