Queen and Country

After living through the Second World war in Hope and Glory, Bill now has to undertake his national service. Based on a post war barracks, he becomes friends with Percy. Both work in the typing corps and have to instruct soldiers in the ways of the world. Having to organise staff training, skiving, the playing of pranks on senior officers. They court some nurses, Bill falls for an Oxford student but she is unstable. They hate their CO, who is a by the book type and try to thwart him. Then of course is the looming threat of being sent to Korea.

John Boorman previous film about his own life, created a world that many had not been either exposed to or had seen captured in such a unique way. It explored how the Blitz affected England (and in particular London) but also how it damaged family bounds. Prior to this almost every film reflected the arbitary nature of life at that time but without opening up a personal connection in a real way. Here it was captured with the human heart at its very centre and this is due to an amazing script written by Boorman.That film was superb and deserved the accolades and recognition. It had a very funny, sardonic rhythm and captured the Greater London of the time and that periods lilt.Queen and Country comes about after the events of that film. It continues with that tone and that level of sardonic rhythm. Funny in places and enlighting in others, I found the film kept much of the good from the previous film. It moves along with an effortless energy but does this without losing its essential elements. I would implore anyone to watch this film if you like character driven pieces. Films that are portarits of a time and a particular nature of society.

To the film components itself, they are very functional. David Thewlis is suoerb as a army long termer and by the booker. He gives this character a vim and a heart. Richard E Grant is also superb as the jaded officer that has to endure a load of utter petty silliness. The young leads are good but Callum Turner is exceptional. The family Rohan are fantastic and leave you utterly aware of why the previous film worked so well. John Boorman has hit his mark again and that is saying something for the director of Deliverance and Point Blank. I love his subtle, yet passioned film making. Where the person is the focus as much as the visual. This film looks as good as it sounds but has missed a little of the connection for the previous film. In the end though it will still bring about a sequel. That I want to see....