Another Mother's Son

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.

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.

Very powerful story! Yes the acting was whatever, but the story was very powerful. I'm British and Jewish so I have to say it touched me perhaps more than other films. Certain parts of the film towards the end sort of shocked me with the reality of WWII. Would highly recommend watching this.

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.

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.