Another Mother's Son

This film restores one's faith in people. It's about some residents of Jersey during the German occupation in World War II. We see the film through the eyes of a local shopkeeper. She bravely takes in Russian prisoner of war who manages to escape from forced labour in a quarry. Times are tough with rationing. Slowly but surely she forms a relationship with the POW, teaches him how to read English and he becomes like a son to her. The story is sensitively told with excellent acting from the principals. Although I note that the actor playing the part of 'Brian' is not mentioned the cast list. Without giving anything away the tensions mount as time passes with an inevitable conclusion. This film portrays the bravery and selflessness of ordinary people in helping others and opposing occupiers. A deep film and a well worthwhile film to see. When I saw it at the Clevedon Curzon members of the audience clapped at the end of the film.

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!

The dismissive user reviews of this film on IMDB are mystifying. I have never seen a better film about the horrors of the Nazi regime. Outstanding performances and beautiful cinematography are among the many fine aspects of this powerful film biography. Jenny Seagrove's passionate performance creates a courageous woman at the center of an ordinary family that defies the evil of the Nazi occupation of Jersey during World War II. If you are a hadrcore cynic and a big fan of revenge fantasy, however, you will not like this film. Otherwise, read the critic reviews and ignore the nonsense in the negative user reviews.

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.