The Winslow Boy
The Winslow Boy

Movie spotlight

The Winslow Boy

1989
Movie
145 min
English

In pre-WW1 England, a youngster is expelled from a naval academy over a petty theft, but his parents raise a political furor by demanding a trial.

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes80%
Metacritic70/100
Google Users76%
Director: David MametGenres: Drama, Family, History

Plot Summary

Based on Terence Rattigan's play, this film tells the story of Arthur Winslow, a naval officer whose young son, Ronnie, is accused of stealing a five-shilling note. Expelled from the Royal Naval College, Ronnie's plight is taken up by his father, who believes in his innocence and decides to fight the injustice through the legal system, despite the enormous personal and financial cost. The case escalates, threatening the family's reputation and the careers of those involved.

Critical Reception

The Winslow Boy was met with generally positive reviews from critics, who praised David Mamet's adaptation and direction, as well as the strong performances from the cast, particularly Nigel Hawthorne. The film was lauded for its faithful portrayal of the historical event and its exploration of themes like justice, honor, and the power of the individual against institutional authority.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its powerful performances, especially Nigel Hawthorne's.

  • Applauded for David Mamet's intelligent and restrained direction.

  • Noted for its compelling exploration of justice and integrity.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's engaging story and strong acting, finding it to be a well-crafted drama that effectively conveys its themes of justice and family.

Awards & Accolades

Nigel Hawthorne received a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Actor.

Fun Fact

The film is based on the true story of George Archer-Shee, whose case was famously taken up by the future Prime Minister, H. H. Asquith.

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