Testament of Youth

[funthing29]

I saw this at a screening last week and am struggling to remember much about it. I recall thinking it was too schmaltzy in places and felt too long but Alicia Vikander gave a decent performance. 6/10.

[elski]

I was invited to a screening with a q&a last night, interesting to hear that Shirley Williams is Vera's daughter who apparently loves the film. And Alicia got invited to meet her for tea at the house of Lords whilst researching the part.

[ClareBarr]

Is anyone else having problems booking on the SFF site with the code on FMUK today?

[valda]

I saw this in Shepherds Bush tonight, and I have to say, I found it extremely tedious and overlong. I couldn't relate to Vera or any of the boys and couldn't wait for it to finish. Reading about her on the credits, it seems to me that her work as a pacifist and author would have been more interesting. Nice to see Colin Morgan, and I didn't even recognise Kit Harrington 6/10

[Beate]

Couldn't see anyone I know at Islington tonight though screening was full. Had to give up our last row seats due to the heating blasting at us there. I have a cold anyway, I don't need that.

Very nice, trouble-free screening and I really liked the film.

8/10

[cliveas]

interesting to hear that Shirley Williams is Vera's daughter who apparently loves the film.

She spoke to the audience before the screening at the premiere tonight.

[Sunny Saver]

Couldn't see anyone I know at Islington tonight though screening was full. Had to give up our last row seats due to the heating blasting at us there. I have a cold anyway, I don't need that.

Very nice, trouble-free screening and I really liked the film.

8/10

OH was there. He liked the film, but found it sad.

He also gave it 8/10.

[chelle1973]

Quite enjoyed this film, though it was a tad long! Beautiful scenery. Don't think I've seen the actress, who played Vera, before but she played the part well! 8/10

[Beate]

She was in A Royal Affair and Anna Karenina. She will also be in Son of a Gun.

[prettyxcool]

Nice turnout of FMUKers and friends to the premiere at the Empire Leicester Square tonight. Nice to see missgotty, vealster, elski, ritamistry, clive and friends.

Very low key and quiet premiere, no fan pens and hardly anyone hanging around the barriers. A long queue formed of ticket holders before being let in and then I only managed to see Kit Harington being interviewed, before being told by security to move along inside. We had seats in the centre, but in the front row, which was not ideal for the IMAX, much too close that I ended up with a headache!

The CEO called Ziggy, introduced the producer who in turned introduced the director who in turned introduced the cast and Baroness Shirley Williams, who gave a speech about the commitment of the directors and cast and the story is one of reconciliation and peace and not war. She was a bit worried at first that it would be a Hollywood romance because what Vera Brittain, her mother fought for, went far beyond relationships.

The film was a painstakingly long and drawn out account of those relationships though, although Vera was beautifully portrayed by Alicia Vikander, and the landscapes and scenery around the UK were beautiful. It was very, very moving also of the traumas and losses of the war, and I wept buckets! It is a good account from the perspective of a coming of age girl and those left behind, while the men went to war. A good history drama.

Hardly recognised Kit Harington though, seems to have put on weight for the part, and Colin Morgan has all grown up! 7/10