My Boy Jack (2007) (TV)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Brian Kirk

Writers:

David Haig (play)
David Haig (screenplay)

Release Date:

20 April 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History | War

Tagline:

A young man fights for his country.

Plot:

Author Rudyard Kipling and his wife search for their 17-year-old son after he goes missing during WWI.

Plot Keywords:

Kipling | WWI | Family Relationships | Medical Examination | Shirtless

Awards:

3 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

David Haig	...	Rudyard Kipling
Daniel Radcliffe	...	John Kipling
Kim Cattrall	...	Caroline Kipling
Carey Mulligan	...	Elsie Kipling
Julian Wadham	...	King George V
Martin McCann	...	Bowe
Richard Dormer	...	Corporal John O'Leary
Rúaidhrí Conroy	...	McHugh (as Ruaidhri Conroy)
Laurence Kinlan	...	Doyle
Ciaran Nolan	...	Daly
Nick Dunning	...	Colonel Ferguson
Michael McElhatton	...	Leo Amery MP
Peter Gowen	...	H.A Gwynne
Brian de Salvo	...	Field Marshal 'Bobs' Roberts
Simon Coury	...	Naval Doctor

Runtime:

UK:93 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Netherlands:16 | Australia:M | Finland:K-13

Filming Locations:

Ardmore Studios - Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland

Company:

Ecosse Films

Trivia:

Several scenes were shot at the actual Rudyard Kipling estate, Bateman's, where Kipling lived from 1902 until his death.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the movie the soldiers are taught to fire the Lee-Enfield rifle using their index finger on the trigger. This is incorrect. Guards regiments in the early part of the war were taught to fire 20 aimed rounds per minute. This fast rate of fire was achieved by virtue of the close proximity of the bolt mechanism and the trigger mechanism on the .303 Short Magazine Lee-Enfield rifle. Soldiers in Guards regiments were trained (like the Old Contemptibles) to fire the Lee-Enfield using the middle finger to fire the weapon while the index finger and thumb worked the bolt. The index finger and thumb would keep hold of the bolt THROUGHOUT the firing procedure, thus speeding up the rate of fire considerably. In the movie soldiers are clearly shown releasing the bolt on every shot in order to use the index finger to fire the weapon.

Quotes:

[last lines]
Rudyard Kipling: Have you news of my boy Jack?/ Not this tide./ When d'you think that he'll come back?/ Not with this wind blowing, and this tide./ Has any one else had word of him?/ Not this tide./ For what is sunk will hardly swim, Not with this wind blowing, and this tide./ Oh...

Soundtrack:

Happy Birthday to You

One of the TV highlights of the year

I wasn't expecting to be quite so moved by this drama, not that I have anything against any of the actors or Kipling, just that I'm not a massive fan of war films. However, I watched it on Remembance Day as I thought it would be appropriate, and I was blown away by how heartbreaking and powerful a story it turned out to be. I thought that all the performances were spot on. David Haig played Kipling exactly as I imagined him to be, Kim Cattrall was surprisingly impressive as Mrs Kipling - a complete revelation. And Carey Mulligan is definitely a young actress to watch in the future, she has done some great stuff already (Bleak House, Doctor Who etc). Daniel Radcliffe broke my heart as the young Jack Kipling, he was very understated and tender in the role. I think he played the frightened but brave Jack very well indeed and I was very impressed by his portrayal of the character. I cried my eyes out towards the end, as did my boyfriend, which is something that doesn't often happen.

My Boy Jack definitely stood out as a gem compared to a lot of the dramas that have been produced this year. I have actually bought the DVD as I loved it so much. Well done to the producers, cast and crew for creating this brilliant drama.