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Last updated on the 15 April 2024 by Maeve
The British home front
| British home front films depict the experiences of civilians during wartime, exploring themes such as sacrifice, resilience and community spirit in the face of adversity. |
Their Finest (2015)
This British home front films follows the story of Catrin Cole, a young Welsh woman who moves to London with her artist husband and lands a job as a scriptwriter for propaganda films being produced by the Ministry of Information.
Although initially assigned only to write “slop” (women’s dialogue), Catrin proves herself to be an astute writer and soon begins working on more important projects with fellow screenwriters Tom Buckley and Raymond Parfitt. Together they work tirelessly to create uplifting stories that will boost morale at home while also inspiring soldiers fighting abroad.
Top cast: Gemma Arterton, Sam Claflin, Bill Nighy, Jack Huston, Helen McCrory, Eddie Marsan, Rachael Stirling and Richard E. Grant.
Testament of Youth (2014)
It tells the story of Vera’s journey from an idealistic and ambitious student to a nurse working on the front lines in France. As she witnesses first hand the horrors and devastation of war, Vera becomes increasingly disillusioned with society and begins to question her beliefs about patriotism and gender roles. Through it all, she finds solace in writing about her experiences as a way to cope with trauma and find meaning in tragedy.
Top cast: Alicia Vikander, Kit Harington, Taron Egerton, Emily Watson, Hayley Atwell, Colin Morgan, Joanna Scanlan and Dominic West.
The Guernsey Literary &
Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)
The film follows the story of Juliet Ashton, a young writer in London who receives a letter from Dawsey Adams, a resident of Guernsey Island, which had been occupied by German forces during the war. Intrigued by his description of an eccentric book club called “The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society,” Juliet decides to travel to the island and learn more about its members and their experiences during the war.
Top cast: Lily James, Michiel Huisman, Glen Powell, Jessica Brown Findlay, Katherine Parkinson, Matthew Goode, Tom Courtenay and Penelope Wilton.
Another Mother’s Son (2017)
Based on the true story of Louisa Gould, a widow who hid an escaped Russian prisoner of war during the Nazi occupation of Jersey, one of the Channel Islands, in World War II. The film follows Louisa as she takes in young Russian POW Bill and tries to keep him hidden from the authorities while struggling to feed her own family and deal with suspicion from her neighbours.
Top cast: Jenny Seagrove, John Hannah, Amanda Abbington, Ronan Keating, Julian Kostov, Peter Wight, Susan Hampshire and Brenock O’Connor.
Summerland (2020)
A British home front film that follows the story of Alice, a reclusive writer living in a small coastal town in Kent, England. When she is forced to take in Frank, an evacuee from London who has been sent to live with her during the war, Alice initially resents his presence and struggles to connect with him.
Top cast: Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Lucas Bond, Dixie Egerickx, Siân Phillips, Penelope Wilton, Tom Courtenay and Amanda Root.
The Land Girls (1998)
“The Land Girls” portrays the journey of three young women who join the Women’s Land Army during World War II. They face challenges, forge strong friendships and discover newfound independence as they work on a farm in the English countryside. The film delves into themes of love, loss and resilience amidst wartime turmoil.
Top cast: Catherine McCormack, Rachel Weisz, Anna Friel, Steven Mackintosh, Paul Bettany, Nicholas Le Prevost, Lucy Akhurst, Celia Bannerman, Tom Georgeson.
Mrs. Miniver (1942)
“Mrs. Miniver” portrays a British family’s resilience during WWII, showcasing their struggles and sacrifices while dealing with the impact of the war. Through poignant moments and emotional storytelling, the film highlights themes of strength, unity and hope in the face of adversity, capturing the essence of wartime life with grace and authenticity.
Top cast: Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Teresa Wright, May Whitty, Reginald Owen, Henry Travers, Richard Ney, Henry Wilcoxon.
Further information about the British home front can be found by following this link to Wikipedia
![The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix](https://britishftv.co.uk/wp-content/cache/flying-press/vP9eDmX0ow0-hqdefault.jpg)
