Another Mother's Son

As the end credits say, a dramatisation based on true events. A truly powerful and amazing story of a woman who gave everything to save another woman's son. How other reviewers here can say it is boring, wooden performances etc, etc is beyond me. The actors portrayed exactly what people were like back then. I had many relatives who went through WWII, some died and some survived the atrocities. I congratulate all involved in this production and for getting it made on such a low budget. It is one of the best WWII dramas I have ever seen. Excellent dialogue and the pace was just right. For those of you who didn't like it all I can say is I hope you never have to live through such atrocities as those people did. When we have a nuclear war, which is eminent, you will truly see the truth.

The plight of the Channel Islands during World War II is a relatively obscure footnote of World War II. As the only example of German occupation of British territory, it is certainly worthy of movie treatment. Though no large-scale battles took place there, citizens of the crown lived under German rule for years. This movie is based on a true story about a Jersey shopkeeper shielding a Russian prisoner of war who escaped from a brutal work camp on the island. The woman's two sons are fighting the Germans, as was this young man, who finds relative safety in the woman's house after enduring torture by his captors. The tension comes as she attempts to keep him hidden from the authorities, sometimes in plain sight. Relatives and neighbors are in the mix, some offering help, others warning of the consequences if they are caught. Collaborators and prying German soldiers provide some tension. This is not a bad movie, but it could have been much better. Instead, it suffers from a tepid script and uninspired direction. It is also weakened by implausible segments, such as how quickly the Russian learns English and the reckless actions of his protector, who often places him in danger by parading him throughout the countryside and in town. The acting is good, and the cinematography successfully places us in the quaint environment of a British populace with strong French influences. But the movie lacks a true climax, and what serves as one seems to be little more than an afterthought. That's too bad.

A cheap asking price and the subject matter drew me to this film. Not just a WWII piece but one set on the channel islands during the German occupation. Until recently this subject matter has been thin on the ground, filmically (Although The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is currently in cinemas). With an interestingly eclectic cast, I thought it was worth a watch. That said, I was also slightly wary of a possible tweeness and the fact that Bill Kenwright Productions are far better known on the theatre scene as opposed to the cinema screen. Those fears were, initially, justified- to start with the scripted dialogue was somewhat stilted and dealt in clichés but crucially, just as my attention started to wane, it slowly but surely began to win me over. This was due in no small part down to the fact this was based on a true story, a story of humanity and heart and one which, I am sure, Christopher Menaul and his cast felt a responsibility for bringing to the screen in as truthful a manner as possible. The central story concerns Jenny Seagrove's character agreeing to take in an escaped Russian P.O.W, because, as a mother of two grown sons away fighting (one of whom was killed in action) she feels a responsibilty to "Another Mother's Son." Seagrove sets the tone of the film in a stoic and quietly impressive performance, matched by Julian Kostov as the young Russian (a star in the making) and their chemistry in a surrogate mother and son relationship works well. They are surrounded by a cast of, mostly, British character players including John Hannah, Amanda Abbington, Nicholas Farrell, Peter Wight, Susan Hampshire, Joanna David, Gwen Taylor and...Ronan Keating! Yes, he of Boyzone fame. And yes, he does sing in this film but it is crucial to a plot point in the film and is a lovely edgy moment where we fear for our heroes. Keating, in fact, acquits himself well throughout, and this could be the start of a fine second career for him. Speaking of edgy moments, there is another wonderfully nerve jangling moment when Seagrove and Kostov are followed by a German officer when leaving a bookshop. In short, then there is action and suspense without overt 'pyrotechnics' and poignancy without overwroughtness. A fascinating true story that is really worth spending an hour and a half of your time on.

I had already heard of this brave lady when I lived in Jersey 40 years ago...I hated the place but that's another story altogether! There were a number of traitors among the (Jersey Beans as they are called by some) island residents during WWII; and they got their comeuppance as soon as the Germans were gone! I have seen the places where the Russian POW's were forced to work in terrible conditions, with hardly any food. One of them is Jersey's WWII museum. People today will never ever know and realize the hardships that some people had to endure (one of the main reasons why some English people have little respect for anything but themselves...although that is also a planet wide problem these days!).

This film portrayed the times very well (though all the German soldiers stationed there were not bad people) and the acting by everyone was very good! Sound, lighting, camerawork etc were all top notch and I enjoyed watching this film again...so will you unless you are like one of the negative reviewers.

I thought it was great! Profound true story. All the acting was organic with strong performances. Great script! YES, watch it!