Albert's Memorial

TV Movie
2009

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

London, 2000:- Terminally ill Albert summons old war buddies Frank and Harry to his hospital bed with a bizarre request. When he dies, he wants them to snatch his corpse from the hospital mo... Read allLondon, 2000:- Terminally ill Albert summons old war buddies Frank and Harry to his hospital bed with a bizarre request. When he dies, he wants them to snatch his corpse from the hospital morgue and drive it, in Harry's taxi, to Germany, where they all met, for burial. Thanks to ... Read allLondon, 2000:- Terminally ill Albert summons old war buddies Frank and Harry to his hospital bed with a bizarre request. When he dies, he wants them to snatch his corpse from the hospital morgue and drive it, in Harry's taxi, to Germany, where they all met, for burial. Thanks to Frank's ingenuity they get the body past Customs but almost lose it in France, recovering ... Read all

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

153

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

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User reviews6

6.7153

Featured reviews

purplexs2-607-122895

A road movie - 2 old men (and hitchhiker) revisit their WWII memories.

Albert (deceased) is one of 3 British WWII vets, whose 2 remaining friends honour his wish to be buried at the site of their shared wartime experience, in Germany.

It's classification as a comedy is inadequate. It's gently mocking tone evokes smiles rather than laughter, and it's sentimentality gradually builds to show troubling memories shared by the 2 aged vets, which their bemused hitchhiker tries to soothe.

The use of artifice is restrained, cinematography and soundtrack are plain but effective, and the downbeat dialogue and acting suits the story.

The languid pace of this film may deter some, but it richly rewards those viewers who watch it in full: this is a film of rare beauty and power.

aleclamberton

Very Enjoyable!

This was just shown on ABC in Australia, and it was an unexpected pleasure.

David Warner and David Jason mesh well as two tired, old men, trying to fulfill a deceased friend's dying wish. On the way they meet a lovely, if mysterious, girl called Vicki, and they have adventures as they journey across Europe at their friend's behest.

Warner and Jason mesh well, both at their best, Warner as a complete curmudgeon, Jason as slightly bewildered. Both still at the top of their game and pulling off some very good comedy timing.

It's that comedy that makes the movie, overlaying the sombre tone of two men coping with losing a good friend.

I certainly recommend giving it a shot, you may be surprised. 7/10

3studioAT

Albert's Memorial

Sir David Jason appearing in ITV comedy dramas like this used to be a very common occurrence in the 2000's and 2010's. In fact, ITV making this sort of comedy drama was common in the 2000's and 2010's. How times sadly have changed on both counts.

This is a darkly comic affair, and you can see why it would have appealed to Jason when the script crossed his path.

I'm not sure the public want to see him robbing a morgue though, and it is that odd mix of dark and light, not to mention sentiment, that leaves this programme/TV film a bit lost at sea.

The performances are good, it just doesn't all gel.

5raymond-andre

Slightly disapointing road movie

The first twenty minutes have great promise as the dying Albert asks his two wartime buddies for a huge favor. Darkly humorous. Once the show goes on the road however the movie starts to lose its charm and the character of Vicki makes no sense at all. I cannot write more without spoiling the twist such as it is. The ending is too obvious and overstated. I was perhaps hoping for too much from the great David Warner.

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Trivia
Harry and Frank drive past the 'real' Albert Memorial on their way to collect Albert's body.

Quotes
[Harry and Frank are going to visit Albert who is terminally ill in hospital]
Harry: Tell you what, I couldn't end up in a place like this, even if my life depended on it. In fact, if I die, please God not in a hospital.
Frank: [drily] What do you mean, "if"?