Customer Reviews

John & Julie [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

To watch 'John and Julie' is to be immersed in a wholly delightful experience. The film records the adventures of two small children who run off to watch the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953, meeting various eccentrics on the way. The film is charming for many reasons. Firstly, all the characters the children meet while on their way to see the coronation procession are played by great British stars and character actors of the period. The film is a veritable who's who of British cinema and theatre in the 50's, and is fascinating for anyone interested in British artistic history. Secondly, the performances of the children are very fresh and natural, and the child's vision of the world is very well caught by both script and direction. Thirdly, with its unassuming charm and quiet wit, the film is essentially a time-capsule of the 50's, for it allows the viewer to enter a more gentle, slower-paced world than our own. 'John and Julie' is that rare thing, a self-contained trip into a very different time and place. If you like that essentially British mixture of mild gentility and eccentric whimsy, buy this wonderful film.

"John and Julie" evokes memories of my own childhood, seeing this sweet, wonderful comedy on TV in the sixties. A simple story, of two British children, separated from their families, enroute to London to see Elizabeth crowned, the film offers a wide variety of British performers (including Wilfrid Hyde-White and a young Peter Sellers), as 'typical', if often eccentric, countrymen who aid the children on their way. Colin Gibson and Lesley Dudley, as the children, are completely natural, and captivating (Dudley pouts so wistfully that you want to hug her!)

With a beautiful score (highlighted by a trumpet solo), stock footage of the actual event blended in with the story, and a joyous finale that could turn the most dedicated 'Yank' into an Anglophile, "John and Julie" is a small gem, something the entire family will love!

I ordered a copy of this video on behalf of my father as a Christmas present for my Mum. I knew that from what I have been told in the past, this was a very good film (and I was proved right). My Mum and her twin brother were named John and Julie after the film as my Grandparents loved the film so much...it even made her cry to receive it, even before seeing the film again for the first time since a child (now in her latter 40's). Now, this film in the 50's was good enough to name their children after...I was named after one of te disciples in the Bible...What does that tell you? Make sure you see this...and I can confirm that any US or Canadian video will play on UK machines but not the other way round (sounds like Alvin and the Chipmunks there).

I would like to review but I never received the item after paying for it.