screenman Who would have believed that 'The Sweeney's tousle-haired thuggish guv'nor would go on to provide us with so many memorable characters? Almost a quarter of a century after he was battering down doors and telling east-end villains they were nicked, we have 'Mr Tom'.Furious fans of the novel have railed against this presentation, down-scoring it to the point of absurdity. I can sympathise with them to a degree, because I have seen favourite novels dramatised for television and felt just as short-changed. However; in this case I have never read the original book and came to the screenplay without preconceived ideas. And like others who watched it from a clean sheet; I was absolutely captivated.John Thaw gives what is to my mind, one of his strongest character performances ever, in this solitary, heartbroken old man offered salvation by a boy-evacuee during WW2 who has experienced - and continues to experience - deprivations that dwarf even his own. The general theme of initial rejection and even resentment at having his own carefully-nurtured isolation & self-pity intruded upon by this young outsider is pretty formulaic, but Thaw's crusty anti-hero brings the theme refreshing fidelity. As the story advances, we discover that this boy has returned to some kind of hell. Tom is moved to kidnap the boy, as it's obvious there are no adequate systems for his provision. Sadly; the same could be said of kids today.For me; what puts this drama well above the average is the portrayal of 1940's attitudes. I missed them. But I still remember the early 1950's well enough as a child, and allowing for the passage of a few years, I would say that this production is near spot-on. Such authenticity is very rare in a modern drama. Houses & cars are usually replicated, so are furniture and dress styles. But social attitudes and public mannerisms are such transient things that they are simply impossible to record in history. Once they're gone; they're gone. So somebody spent a lot of time on research, and it's the sort of research that could only be got from people who actually lived through the period. And I take my hat off to those researches as much as anyone else involved in production.I'm sorry the purists despised it so much, because viewed without prejudice this is a stand-out performance by the late John Thaw (who probably was old enough to remember these times) and a tour-de-force of authenticity. Every other aspect is up to snuff as well.There really should be an award for 'research' just as there is for 'sound' or 'editing' or 'effects'. It's much too undervalued. However; if you've read the book, you might want to give it a miss. But if you haven't; sit back and enjoy.

coffey-21 This is arguably John Thaw's finest performance where he successfully shakes off any traits of his Inspector Morse character and brings a perfect adaptation of Tom from the pages of the book to the TV screen. This is a well made production which maintains its family viewing vibe despite some very mature themes like the outbreak of the second world war and the physical abuse suffered by the child.However it is the relationship between Tom and young Willie that is the heart and soul of this story. It is touching and beautiful to see this bond between the young boy evacuated from London and the grumpy old man he is left with develop - a real grandfather/grandson connection.It is a pity that this story wasn't made with a bigger budget with a more established director as it belongs on the big screen, not shown once or twice every ten years on a Sunday afternoon. Given the right guidance, John Thaw would be celebrated the world over and bestowed with many awards for his brilliant performance in this movie. A great actor and a great role that should have been honored more than it was at the time.

ninoguapo Sometimes I watch a movie and am really impressed by it – and still it is not easy to explain why I liked it that much. This is mostly true for the uncommon movies – the ones one can hardly compare with the rest out there. Goodnight Mister Tom is one of these special movies. There is a lot of emotion in that movie – and the acting was so good that while watching the movie, I was crying and laughing as the story went on. The young Nick Robinson – is a young boy (William) evacuated from London because of the air strikes there during the Second World War. Mr. Tom played by John Thaw is an old man leaving in the village the evacuated children were send to.At first Tom refuses to take any responsibilities - such as taking care for a troubled young lad – but accepts since he is left without a choice. During the stay Mr. Tom discovers how horrible the life has been for the William – alongside his luggage his mom sent a belt and written instructions to the host of her son – not to hesitate to use it. This belt is berried in the field – never to be used in such a brutal manner. Mr. Tom provides a real home for William, and the boy is happy with his new life, he goes to school, makes new friends and discovers hidden talents. All of the sudden a letter William is called home in London with a letter mentioning that she is not feeling well…and it starts all over again – only this time it gets much worse… There are many feelings you can sense in this movie – love, fear, sadness, happiness, pain, hope – and much more. Goodnight Mr. Tom is another masterpiece of the British cinema comparable only with others such as Dear Frankie and Billy Elliot – if one is to compare. I have truly enjoyed watching it and highly recommend it. Before finishing this review I would also like to mention the great performance of Thomas Orange in the role of Zac – reminded me of a friend of mine from my own childhood ( :

Essex_Rider 20 out of 10 This is a truly wonderful story about a wartime evacuee and a curmudgeonly carpenter Tom Oakley. The boy (William Beech) is billeted with Tom and it is immediately apparent that he has serious issues when he wets his bed on the first night. William is illiterate and frightened but somehow the two find solace in each others loneliness. It transpires that William has a talent as an artist and we see Tom's talent as a choirmaster in an amusing rendition of Jerusalem. William is befriended by Zacharias Wrench, a young Jewish lad also from London and along with both Tom and Zacharias, he finally learns to read and write and to feel a part of this small close knit community. Just as he is settling down, William is recalled back to London by his mother, and it is here we see why he is so screwed up. His mother is clearly mentally sick and when Tom doesn't hear from William, he travels to London to look for him. He finally finds him holding his dead baby sister where he has been tied up in a cellar. After a period in hospital, Tom realises he must kidnap him and take him home with him. The climax is a bitter-sweet ending when William is told he is to be adopted by Tom, while at the same time, learning his best friend Zacharias has been killed in an air raid in London. For me, one of the most moving scenes was when Tom was talking to a official from the Home Office.I love 'im, an' for what it's worth, I think he loves me too'.It just doesn't get better that that does it?