Rating  - My Boy Jack
This BBC special was aired on PBS in the USA and I had to have it ASAP. I was initially pleased because it starred Daniel Radcliffe but it is a fascinating piece of true history and the saddness of war and misplaced patriotism. Rudyard Kipling, played by David Haig, loved his country no less than many Americans love theirs, but he was blinded by his love to the horror of losing his son and his country's lack of preparedness. Granted he was right about Germany's evil but neither he nor his country were aware that there could be failure and loss even if you were on the side of good.
Rating  - Not a bad movie
Radcliff did a good job, my only comment was, he reminded me of Adolf Hitler (as a younger man). Plot was maybe a little over done, but still worth the price.
Rating  - Coming of age and patriotism
Amazing story about Rudyard Kipling and his young son John Kipling (Jack) at the start if the WWI. Elder Kipling is well established writer best known for his "Jungle Book" stories for young boys. He and his family are comfortably tucked in British countryside and his society connections give elder Kipling high social status. His family is close knit and loving, but at the time of upcoming Great War, elder Kipling's unwavering patriotism is means for Jack to create his own adult life. At the age when most boys would plan going to college or striking on their own, Jack views the war as a way of getting into adulthood, away from his parents, their overwhelming love and his own constricted existence. It seems to him that going to war is the most natural way to strike on his own. But Jack's eyesight vision is so poor, that he gets rejected for active military service twice: once by the navy and the second time by the army. It is only thru his father's connections that he is accepted in the military, where he puts extra efort to finish his basic training and become an office before the age of 18. Soon, young Jack is dispatched to the front in Loos, Northern France, where only one day after his 18th birthday, he is killed in the battle. It is a bittersweet story of a young man trying to build his own identity during the difficult time in the history and his father, who living thru the young man is fostering his own patriotic desire for the glory of England and tradition. Kim Catrall gives stunning performance as Jack's mother who in the course of 6 months changes from vivacious mother to a grief stricken, old woman broken to pieces once she learns that her missing son is in fact killed in the war.
Rating - Brilliant
I loved this movie - both for its content and acting.
Would love to see more of Rudyards life on the big screen - particularly some of his experiences in India or perhaps holidays in South Africa.
Go to the Product Information page
Customer Reviews for BBC Warner,883929009350,0883929009350,B0011FDVGI, |
