Without doubt, this is a fine film.The story of 'The Winslow Boy' began in a real-life case in 1908, although the play, written by Terence Rattigan in 1946, made many changes to the story of the original case of George Archer-Shee. Inevitably, transferring the play to the screen resulted in further changes, however and quite unusually, the story not only survived these amendments but thrived on them.The 1948 film was a masterpiece and perhaps the best compliment that can be paid to this remake is that it's almost as good. In fact, to rival a cast including Robert Donat, Cedric Hardwicke and Margaret Leighton, is quite an achievement.This version manages to convey the culture of the time without any pretension. Nigel Hawthorne is quite superb, as was Hardwicke in the original, in the role of Arthur Winslow, father of the wronged cadet. Rebecca Pidgeon conveys exactly the same mixture of upper-middle class duty and loyalty, femininity, rebelliousness and sexuality as did Margaret Leighton. As for Jeremy Northam in the role of Sir Robert Morton, his performance is excellent if, perhaps, lacking the charismatic brilliance of Donat.There are areas that are less good and characters that simply don't have the presence of those in the earlier film and this does detract. Catherine Winslow's paramour is a rather dull character and one has to wonder what a woman of her beliefs could possibly have seen in him. Even worse, solicitor Desmond Curry, who dreams of marrying her, is utterly forgettable, unlike the character played by Basil Radford in 1948. While the housemaid, Violet, may have been played with greater realism in this version, her portrayal by Kathleen Harrison in 1948 was certainly more memorable. Others, all rather peripheral characters, including even 'the Winslow Boy' himself, are probably equal in terms of performance and presence, excepting the Attorney General, so magnificently portrayed by Francis L Sullivan in 1948 and yet absent in 1999. Instead, a place was found for the First Lord of the Admiralty, played by Neil North who had appeared as 'The Boy' in the earlier version, but was a pale shadow.Regardless of these criticisms, this is a film that is well worth watching and will reward viewers with a great story and some fine performances.

This is a well-made little movie with excellent performances all around. It is not exactly a courtroom drama or a comedy of manners. It shows how a crisis of honor in a family affects all its members and even the maid.The atmosphere brings one back to Britain just before the Great War. The costumes are great, but it is the acting and the dialogue which give this film life.Ronnie, the youngest son, has been accused of stealing a five cent postage package. His father believes in his innocence and risks his health and his fortune to pursue justice. He hires Sir Jeremy Norton, the most renowned barrister in England to take the case.Sir Jeremy seems like a cold fish, but appearances are deceiving. Watch The Winslow Boy for some top notch entertainment.

This is an adaptation of a play by David Mamet which he also directs. Unusually it does not feature con artists, a favourite area that Mamet likes to re-visit.The film where a family wants to clear the name of their almost 14 year old boy who has been dismissed from the naval academy for stealing a postal order is all about performances, there is very little visual trickery but good use id made of sets, lighting, music and direction. The actors are very much at the fore of the performance with Jeremy Northam as the Barrister delivering the goods as someone who believes in the boy's innocence but seems distant and uninvolved. In some cases he got the role of the barrister in the pre World War 2 era very much spot on. Its all about the law and proving your case.Nigel Hawthorne does well as the father of the family who might be on the edge of financial ruin as he fights to clear his son's name. It might be viewed the Hawthorne would be too old to play a father of a 14 year old lad although his other children are older.Rebecca Pidgeon who in other roles comes across as uninspired especially when she plays tough Americans is more comfortable here as the radical sister of the accused who also suffers loss as her engagement is broken because of the fight to clear her brother's name.Its a brave undertaking to adapt a Rattigan play on the screen and Mamet has done very well in making the film watchable and highlighting the mores of the time.

Subtlety, restraint and reserve are the hallmarks of this beautifully crafted version of a classic piece of theater. The characters are all flawlessly created by a cast of brilliant actors. Jeremy Northam is amazing in everything he does but never better than in this film where he plays a politician who takes the case with reservations and then sticks with it risking his own future by his courageous stand in defense of a young boy who seems guilty but swears he is innocent. The sacrifices each person in the family makes to uphold the family honor and name is an inspiration and the sexual chemistry between Jeremy Northam's character and that of Catherine Winslow who plays the feminist older sister of the title character is like a smoldering ember about to burst into flame.