Introduction"Blue Remembered Hills" is a 1979 British tv play written by Dennis Potter, originally aired on BBC. It stands out for its unconventional casting technique, where adult stars play the roles of seven-year-old kids. The movie is a mix of fond memories and critique, exploring the darker side of youth during the World War II period. It explores themes such as innocence, cruelty, and the capability for violence in even the youngest of humans.
Plot OverviewThe narrative takes place on a summer's day in the Forest of Dean in 1943. The story concentrates on a group of kids and their relatively innocent playtime. These children, in spite of their tender age, show complicated emotions and social characteristics. The main characters include Willie, Peter, John, Raymond, Audrey, Angela, and Donald.
The story unfolds through different scenes of the kids taking part in common activities such as playing dry run, teasing each other, and checking out the countryside. However, their play slowly reveals a darker side as they begin to mimic the adult world's hierarchies and power battles.
A key event happens when the character Donald, who is a social castaway and the frequent target of mockery and bullying, discovers himself caught in a barn after an intense game of conceal and look for. The other kids mistakenly set the barn on fire, uninformed that Donald is inside. Regardless of his weeps for aid, the seriousness of the scenario is only recognized when it's too late.
Characters and PerformancesThe representation of kids by adult stars serves to overemphasize and highlight the natural characteristics of the children. This unconventional casting option is an important part of the production's commentary on the nature of childhood. With knowledgeable efficiencies, the actors convincingly convey the subtleties of childish behavior without coming down into parody.
A stand-out element of the film is how the stars browse the complexity of their character's feelings. Childhood is not idealized; instead, the film acknowledges the jealousy, aggression, and cruelty that can emerge even at a young age. These qualities are strongly and poignantly portrayed by the cast.
Styles and InterpretationPotter's work vividly checks out the style of lost innocence. The title itself, derived from a poem by A.E. Housman, alludes to a yearning for an irretrievable pastoral past. Yet, the film presents a stark contrast to this picturesque image, suggesting that such innocence may constantly be an illusion.
The setting throughout wartime Britain draws a parallel between the kids's play and the real horrors happening on the planet. Through their games of war and their obliviousness to the consequences of their actions, "Blue Remembered Hills" underscores the idea that the seeds of violence are sown early in life.
The ultimate catastrophe that befalls Donald acts as a grim tip of the cruelty that kids can display. The movie ends with the kids moving on rapidly from the occurrence-- a chilling observation on the human propensity to reduce and forget uncomfortable occasions.
Conclusion and Legacy"Blue Remembered Hills" is a thought-provoking drama that challenges audiences to reassess their understandings of childhood. It is an engaging story that combines components of comedy, catastrophe, and scary, offering a layered and emotive viewpoint on the complexities of human habits, despite age.
Regardless of being an item of its time, the film resonates with contemporary audiences due to its universal styles and effective message. It remains a considerable piece in Dennis Potter's oeuvre and British television history, known for its bold storytelling and innovative approach to drama. Its melancholic reflection on the nature of memory and the discomforts of growing up continue to stimulate discussion and interpretation, sealing its location as a poignant cinematic experience.
Top Cast
