Another Mother's Son

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.

This movie is a touching recount of heroism in the face of Nazi occupation. The bravery of some of the Islanders is on full display as well at the cowardess and fear. This story is one of many, but was very well written and acted. This is proof that it is the deeds we are remembered for and not just our words.

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

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.

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.