Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
The Dawning (1988)
Director: Robert Knights
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
This modest period drama, set in the south of Ireland before partition in 1921, successfully avoids most of the pratfalls and preciousness inherent in the genre. Based on Jennifer Johnston's elegant and expressive novel The Old Jest, it mirrors the events of the mounting IRA terrorist campaign in the maturing mind and soul of an 18-year-old girl. The setting is the world of fading grandeur of the old Anglo-Irish ascendancy. Independent-minded Nancy (Pidgeon) lives in a great house presided over by her aunt (Simmons) and wheelchair-ridden ex-General grandfather (Howard, visibly his last role). Wilful and arty, she thinks herself enamoured of a straitlaced ex-army stockbroker (Grant), but with the arrival of a mysterious stranger (Hopkins), events take a tragic turn; a crisis is triggered, and Nancy is forced to examine her loyalties. Knights' film is solidly crafted, but its main strength lies in the performances. Rebecca Pidgeon makes a remarkable debut, exhibiting a rare ability to externalise thought and feeling.Author: WH
User reviews of this film
-
- Adair Cairell said...
- Posted on Dec 31 2007 13:54 A touching and beautifully acted film, which deserved to have had higher notice.
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Robert Knights
Producer: Sarah Lawson
Cast: Rebecca Pidgeon, Anthony Hopkins, Jean Simmons, Trevor Howard, Tara MacGowran, Hugh Grant full cast
Duration: 97 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing






What do you think?
Post your review now