Goodnight Mister Tom

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Starring: John Thaw; Nick Robinson; Annabelle Apsion; Thomas Orange; William Armstrong; Geoffrey Beevers; Mossie Smith; Peter England; Ivan Berry; Harry Capehorn; Merelina Kendall; Marlene Sidaway; John Cater; Denyse Alexander; Avril Elgar; Michael Cronin (II); Pauline Turner; Thomas Russell; Stephanie Perry; Tanya Perry
Rated: Unrated
Type: DVD
Directed By: Jack Gold
Studio: WGBH BOSTON
Release Date: 2005-11-22
John Thaw stars in this touching adaptation of Michelle Magorian's award-winning novel, Goodnight Mister Tom.

Tom Oakley (John Thaw) is a cantankerous old man who, at the start of World War II, finds his life irrevocably changed. Without warning, little Willie Beech (Nick Robinson) is evacuated from London and sent to live with Tom in a small village. Willie is a quiet, sad child with a disturbing past, but Tom patiently takes on the job of improving Willie's reading and writing abilities and fosters his natural talent for drawing. Through Tom's friendship and attention, Willie's anxieties are smoothed away and a strong bond develops between this unlikely pair.

However, just as Willie celebrates his tenth birthday, his mother summons him back to the unexpected terrors of Blitz-torn London. Aware of the nightmare that awaits the boy, Tom is forced to act to save the child... and has to fight to keep him.

Goodnight Mr Tom
This is a great story for older children. I used it with a class of 11 - 13 year olds where we read the book first and then did a movie study. The story follows a period of time during WW2 in England when evacuees were sent from London to the country. This story is complex because it covers many levels; War, child abuse, mental health, death, friendships and relationships.
The movie is well acted, although my class was disappointed that some of the 'book bits' were missing.
Be sure to have tissues for laugh out loud fun as well as sad tears!

The Classic "Movie vs Novel" Debate
This is a 'nice' movie, with a typically strong performance from John Thaw. However, if you have read the novel, you may find this small screen adaptation disappointing. To compact this touching story into 90 minutes the director has sacrificed any real character development, and in doing so has lost most of the emotional impact created in the novel. Still, it's okay for a rainy afternoon.

Masterpiece Theatre DVD have been heavily cut but movie is still wonderful
'Goodnight Mr Tom', in my opinion is wonderful movie but... after watching Masterpiece Theatre DVD, I was bitterly disappointed because some parts of the movie have been cut out :(

3/5

Heart-rending, yet heart-warming masterpiece
This is one of the late John Thaw's most poignant performances, as a man hardened by grief, whose apparent heartlessness is disproven by his tenacious, selfless and completely altruistic caring for a young boy evacuated from London during the bombings of World War Two -- and how he grows from being "Mr. Tom" into being "Dad". Excellent performances by the entire cast. Even the dog gives a heartwarming performance. I am so glad it was finally released on DVD for the USA market.

Goodnight Mister Tom
A superb but gentle drama for anyone who has a warm heart inside their body. Very plausible acting from the young boy and mentor John Thaw as the 'defrosting' senior. Not a tear jerker but the warmth of the human spirit and heart show through the tragedy of this kid's family setting and England struggling with war. A good narrative with some lovely rural settings. Very satisfying.