classicsoncall The cover of the DVD sleeve caught my eye at the local library (the one shown on the main details page for this film), and it was clearly a dead giveaway of where this story was headed. Which is just fine, because in a jaded world where the dysfunctional TV family is gradually replacing the two parent variety with normal, healthy kids, we could all use a bit of a feel good picture. Apparently most of the viewers on this board think so too, which gives me some hope that all is not lost for most of us regular folks.I've never seen actor John Thaw before, but I like him. He brings a kindly, grandfatherly persona to the character of Tom Oakley, even with the curmudgeonly opening set-up to make us think he's a boor. I don't think he had anyone really fooled in his English home town, especially after young William Beech (Nick Robinson) is summarily placed in old Tom's care. The patience and understanding he brought to foster William's self confidence makes him pretty much a saint in my book.The best scene of the film, which I'm sure many will second, was that parade of would be fishermen following Mister Tom down to the river once it's known that he's taking William. With knowing gestures, the town's busybodies wink and nod their approval, as Tom feigns his indifference to their recognition. Mister Tom is a class act, and "Goodnight, Mister Tom" is a class film. See it.

froberts73 10 - 10 - 10, ad infinitum. First of all, to the critics who are so hung up on the movie not following the book. So, what else is new? And, who cares. They are two separate entities. Duh!! This Masterpiece was an unknown for me. What a great, great surprise. I was raised during WW2 and drove my family nuts. I was an - er Anglophile - greatly admiring the Brits and their stance during those years. Oh, and I never missed a John Mills movie.A man that befriended me came from England to get away from the war and opened a record shop a few blocks from my home and it became my second home. Most of his records crossed the Atlantic with him so I had a host of British RCAs and Parlophones.One more item of a personal nature. There was a mag called Picture Post and I wrote them a letter. The first part - I was just a kid - had to do with what was right about America and wrong about England, the second part was vice-versa. Guess what? They published the good stuff about England, eliminating the rest of my tome. I got a lot of letters from all over Britain and met a merchant seaman who later became a radio operator on the Queen Mary. He stayed with us whenever the ship came to NYC (where I was born and raised).The setting of the movie automatically appealed to me. The story had my wife and myself shedding a few tears, it was so beautifully told - warm and wonderful. The acting by the main characters was excellent. At times, early on, the lad reminded me of Roddy McDowall at that age.As far as I'm concerned this is one of the most impressive things ever put on film. I recommend it - highly.As I said in the beginning ---- 10 - 10 - 10, ad infinitum.

ninoguapo Sometimes I watch a movie and am really impressed by it – and still it is not easy to explain why I liked it that much. This is mostly true for the uncommon movies – the ones one can hardly compare with the rest out there. Goodnight Mister Tom is one of these special movies. There is a lot of emotion in that movie – and the acting was so good that while watching the movie, I was crying and laughing as the story went on. The young Nick Robinson – is a young boy (William) evacuated from London because of the air strikes there during the Second World War. Mr. Tom played by John Thaw is an old man leaving in the village the evacuated children were send to.At first Tom refuses to take any responsibilities - such as taking care for a troubled young lad – but accepts since he is left without a choice. During the stay Mr. Tom discovers how horrible the life has been for the William – alongside his luggage his mom sent a belt and written instructions to the host of her son – not to hesitate to use it. This belt is berried in the field – never to be used in such a brutal manner. Mr. Tom provides a real home for William, and the boy is happy with his new life, he goes to school, makes new friends and discovers hidden talents. All of the sudden a letter William is called home in London with a letter mentioning that she is not feeling well…and it starts all over again – only this time it gets much worse… There are many feelings you can sense in this movie – love, fear, sadness, happiness, pain, hope – and much more. Goodnight Mr. Tom is another masterpiece of the British cinema comparable only with others such as Dear Frankie and Billy Elliot – if one is to compare. I have truly enjoyed watching it and highly recommend it. Before finishing this review I would also like to mention the great performance of Thomas Orange in the role of Zac – reminded me of a friend of mine from my own childhood ( :

indigoharmony Children - if you know any adults who don't read enough, please sit them down in front of this film and then give them the book by Michelle Magorian.It may seem like a paradox, but Goodnight Mister Tom, which is a wonderfully written, mature and complex book for children, is here turned into a more simplistic film for grown-ups.It is, I might add, a very good film. The book, as I recall, was loved by children at my old school - in a survey my friend did of the 11-12 year olds it was rated as the favourite book of a significant percentage. The film was recommended to me by at least two different adults. The difference being that the main character of the book is definitely William, a young evacuee, whereas in the film it seems more as if the main character is Tom Oakley, the man who takes William in. It therefore lacks the "coming of age" feel of the book, making the overall plot less subtle.But it is certainly beautifully made. Recently I saw my 80 year old aunty watching the film and reminiscing about the second world war - she felt the blitz was depicted brilliantly. The darkness of this story is captured well, being neither sentimental nor depressing. It instead seems simply truthful - war is terrible, and people can do terrible things, but there are also good people in this world. Magorian's plot pulls no punches, and this film is the same. I suspect the end of being deliberately tear-jerking... but I cried anyway (I won't give away the plot, but it is a happy ending!)