Product Description

Its 1915 and World War I has been declared. Aged only 17 Kiplings son like most of his generation is swept up in the enthusiasm to fight the Germans a mood stoked vigorously by his father. Jack is cripplingly short sighted and the army has rejected him twice rendering him too myopic even for an army suffering thousands of casualties a week and desperate for recruits. Yet Rudyard is undeterred determined that his son should go to the front like countless other sons and fight for the values that he Kipling espouses so publicly. Using his fame and influence Kipling persuades Lord Roberts on his death bed to get Jack a commission in the Irish guards. This intervention is barely tolerated by Carrie and daughter Elise (Carey Mulligan) as they disagree that Jack is fit to fight and fear for his safety on the front line. Jack is instantly popular with his troop he is a great leader and trains tirelessly to overcome the disability that is his eyesight. Six months later Jack sails to France as a lieutenant. Jack went missing in action during the Battle of Loos and his mother and father carried out an increasingly desperate search for him spanning many years and many miles.Running Time: 93 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/BBC UPC: 883929009350 Manufacturer No: 1000037030

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3051 in DVD
• Brand: Warner Brothers
• Released on: 2008-04-22
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 120 minutes

Amazon.com
As affecting as it is thought-provoking, ITV's My Boy Jack illustrates the dangers of unbridled patriotism. To grow up the child of a famous author is burden enough, but when the boy must embody the beliefs of the man, the consequences can be devastating. In the case of John "Jack" Kipling (Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe in his most mature role to date), 17-year-old son of Rudyard Kipling (Four Weddings and a Funeral's David Haig), his father's passion for King and Country leads to a preventable tragedy. Based on Haig's play, the proceedings begin in 1914, prior to the outbreak of World War II. Jack attempts to join the army and the navy, but both reject him due to severe shortsightedness, so Kipling Sr. pulls strings to place him with the Irish Guards. Jack's sister, Elsie (Bleak House's Carey Mulligan), and American-born mother, Caroline (a brunette Kim Cattrall), would rather he serve the war effort at home. Through hard work and determination, Jack scales the ranks from private to lieutenant, but goes missing in France, and many months pass before the family solves the mystery of his disappearance. In the end, My Boy Jack, which aired in England on Remembrance Day, concerns itself more with paying tribute than apportioning blame, and Haig skillfully portrays Kipling's guilt in putting his son in harm's way and pride in a brave soldier who "played his part properly." Special features include interviews and deleted scenes. Parental advisory suggested due to situation-appropriate language and teen smoking. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews

Brilliant story, acting and direction!
It is uncanny how well Haig portrays Rudyard Kipling. It's not just the resemblence but how well he has nailed every aspect of this man. Haig showcases his passion for this particular project that has been years in the making. It is truly a beautiful and poignant film. It has the feel of a big budget release rather than a movie made for television.

You feel the zeal and grandeur of the time. The locations were brilliantly done. The Western Front looked as foreboding as anything I've seen depicted on screen for WWI. It wasn't all glory to fight for King and country. And you feel the fear and anxiety of these young men when they finally do get the trenches. The romanticism of war is quickly washed away. It is as relevant now as it was then.

All of the performances are terrific. Carey Mulligan is quite touching as "Bird", the only surviving of the Kipling children. She is quite an amazing actress and grabs you in every scene. I did worry about Kim Catrall, believing I wouldn't be able to see past her Sex and the City persona, Samantha. Carrie Kipling is a quiet force, and truly the heart of the story.I believe this is Catrall's finest performance.

The same can be said for the impressive Daniel Radcliffe. I was pleasantly surprised at just how good he really is. He couldn't have been more perfectly cast as Kipling's only son, John "Jack". Known primarily for Harry Potter, Radcliffe steps up brilliantly as an adult and seasoned actor. He is heartbreaking in this film. Jack's desire to be his own man, escape from his family and yet his fierce loyalty to his family...mirrors Radcliffe's own life with the Harry Potter family he's grown up with. I wish there could have been more for Radcliffe in this film. The scenes with Haig and Mulligan are so touching. He pulled out a stellar performance in so little screen time convincing me that Harry Potter is a limiting role for this talented young man. I think Daniel Radcliffe is the real deal and will only get better as a serious actor. One of the few child stars that will make the transition and have success like that of a Jodie Foster. Continuing to choose projects such as this and Equus, make me admire him even more. That he isn't just banking on his Potter fame or going to way of many young celebrities. I will watch his rising career with interest.

David Haig deserves a Best Actor Emmy Award for this outstanding performance. Actually, Catrall should at least garner a nomination, for she truly was amazing in this role. And yes, I'll say it, even though he probably wouldn't win, I'd like to see Radcliffe nominated for a supporting role. Just because I feel he deserves recognition for his talent outside of Potter (for which I don't forsee many awards).

A wonderful movie
This is such a great movie. I saw it on PBS one night, and ordered it on Amazon the following day. Fabulous acting. Every one of the cast is fantastic. So powerful. The only disappointment to me is the language. The "F" word is heard during the various battle scenes. Other than that, I highly recommend it. Little did I know that Rudyard Kipling had so much more to his life than the Jungle Books. Wonderful story!

Excelent!!!
Its a excelent movie! its put you to think what would happen with our children when we have a war and the things somes parents put through about this caotic times.

Great cast!