Masterpiece Classics' wonderful production of My Boy Jack is taken from David Haig’s stage play. Haig adapted his play to the screen and though I have never had the privilege of seeing the play, I must imagine that this is a wonderful adaptation.
When England declares war on Germany in 1914 Rudyard Kipling (David Haig), famous for his novels and short stories, is one of England’s staunchest supporters. He even goes so far to say that any young man who does not immediately stand up and volunteer for the war effort should be shunned by his community. His son, John Kipling, known as Jack (Daniel Radcliffe), of course is not deaf to his father’s words.
Jack, however, has already been turned down for military service by the Navy because of his poor eyesight for which he requires glasses. Rudyard, determined that his son should get the chance to support his country, goes to an old Army friend of his and arranges a private medical exam. Rudyard strong-arms the medical doctors and before we know it young Jack is bundled off to boot camp.
Though Jack’s family is proud of him there are still some reservations. His American mother Carrie (Kim Cattrall) and his sister Elise (Carey Mulligan) both feel that Rudyard has pushed Jack to enlist and in turn is to blame for Jack being sent to the front lines when he could have worked in the War Office.
The father and son moment after Kipling finds out that his only son is going overseas is touching, sharing a cigarette and talking war like a couple of boys. It’s a bittersweet moment, something that reaches in and touches something soft inside you. Then of course Jack is gone and the family must muddle through as best they can. But when Jack is reported missing everything seems to fall apart.
Carrie’s desperation while interviewing soldiers searching for any news of her son is palpable. There is a very haunting sequence in which Jack’s parents are going through all the photos of English soldiers being held in German prisons; Carrie looking at a photo and saying “No” before passing it to Rudyard who in turn says “No” and puts it in an ever growing pile of unknown faces.
Article comments
1 - Skeeter
Brilliant review, brilliant film.