Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6111 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-11-19
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Formats: PAL, Colour
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 93 minutes

DVD Description
It's 1914. Rudyard Kipling (David Haig from Four Weddings And A Funeral), the British Empire's greatest supporter, is at the peak of his literary fame. Kipling's son, Jack (Daniel Radcliffe from the Harry Potter films), is determined to play his part in the imminent war with Germany, but finds himself rejected due to his extremely poor eyesight. When his father uses his influence to land Jack a commission in the Irish Guards, Kipling’s wife, Caroline (Kim Cattrall from Sex And The City), is bitterly upset, failing to see the glory in losing her only son to the war.
As Jack leaves for war, Kipling consoles himself with the thought that if his son should die, it will have been his finest hour. But how would the great writer justify the consequences of his actions to himself and his wife? And how would he live with the conflict between his two greatest passions: a love for his family and a devotion to King and Country?

Special Features:
Exclusive intervews with Daniel Radcliffe, David Haig and Kim Cattrall and deleted scenes

Synopsis
It's 1914. Rudyard Kipling (David Haig – Four Weddings And A Funeral), the British Empire's greatest supporter, is at the peak of his literary fame. Kipling's son, Jack (Daniel Radcliffe - Harry Potter), is determined to play his part in the imminent war with Germany, but finds himself rejected due to his extremely poor eyesight. When his father uses his influence to land Jack a commission in the Irish Guards, Kipling’s wife, Caroline (Kim Cattrall - Sex And The City), is bitterly upset, failing to see the glory in losing her only son to the war.

Customer Reviews

My Boy Jack
David Haig has written an excellent play. Very moving. It is difficult for us to understand some of the attitudes of that time when, seemingly, the whole of Europe went to war rejoicing. The carnage was immense, the courage endless.

Daniel Radcliffe demonstrated this well with his sensitive portrayal of Jack.

I doubt Jack could have joined as a ranker. My grandfather tried to join up twice as a private soldier but was rejected on medical grounds. He had no-one to pull strings for him - otherwise I might not have been around to write this.

I do not believe that Daniel Radcliffe's acting career will be adversely affected by playing Harry Potter. Inevitably he will always be associated with the role but he is a very fine and capable actor. He comes across as a very fine young man.

Was all the sacrifce necessary? Ask yourself what Europe would have been like had the Kaiser won.

A superb example of TV drama well done
I adored this drama and thought that all of the performances were excellent.

David Haig portrayed Kipling superbly and Kim Cattrall was astonishing as Carrie Kipling. Daniel Radcliffe also played Jack Kipling heartbreakingly well and showed what a brave, determined and scared young man Jack was. And Carey Mulligan is definitely a young actress to watch out for.

I was in tears by the end of the drama and really moved by the whole story and the tragic loss of so many in such a short space of time. I think it was a timely reminder to everyone what effect the loss of that generation of men had on the families they left behind.

Definitely one of the best dramas on television this year.

One word sums it up
BRILLIANT.

Thats all that needs to be said really a moving screen play that makes you think. I rate both Daniel Radcliff and David Haig but the best suprise was Kim Catteral as Jacks mother.