Jersey was the only British territory ever occupied by the Germans, it occurred in the Second World War, and this film makes a thorough realisation of how it was. There is no human German here. The Russian prisoners, collected from Europe to work in the quarries, are treated like beasts, and the pressure of the German authorities on the innocent population, mostly women, is horrendous. One mother, whose son is out in the war, finds no choice but to take care of and protect a Russian prisoner who has escaped, he lives under the protection of the family and becomes like one of them, learning English and giving practical service whenever he can. It almost becomes idyllic, but the Germans will not let them be. The liberation of Jersey was belated because it was not included in the invasion, with disastrous consequences for this family. The acting is superb, Sophie Skelton as the mother delivers credibility, and Julian Kostov in his constant turmoil between despair and happiness, makes a gripping performance. The whole production is watertight realistic, the realism almost becomes too much as it always does in 2nd world war films, which only affirms the grimness and truth of the realism. It's a strong film of almost documentary quality, but you would not willingly watch it again.
