QUEEN AND COUNTRY is a sequel of the 1987`s Hope & Glory directed John Boorman. Bill Rohan has grown up from a hopeful and glorious boy, to a young man who is ready to fight for his country and his Queen. Rohan has only six weeks to get in shape to be ready to go to war against Korea and its infamous Red Army. But instead, he is preparing for a war against his destiny-to win the love of the girl of his dreams.
QUEEN AND COUNTRY begins with a beautiful background song, and a young Bill Rohan. A minute later, the motion of the camera stops on his face to show us a grown up boy. The scenes that follow are narrated with the voice of Bill, who walks us through the moments of his life. Soon after, Rohan begins training during the Korean War. However, he is distracted from his duties by his trouble-making army mate, Percy. Even though the friends see the war in slightly different ways, they forge a friendship and create a bond which will define their future.
QUEEN AND COUNTRY is a solid drama which successfully avoids the clichés and does not allow the story to become boring and predicable. Instead of showing the audience what happens after Rohan goes off to war, Boorman chooses to leave him behind, in the camp, to protect his friend from getting into more trouble. But, when problems escalate and the problems become bigger and bigger things become wild and a friend must choose what is more important- love, friendship, or his beloved country and Queen.
Doorman does not try to make his characters turn against their country; what he wants is to show us that they are thinking logically, and that a war for them is just a tactical move for their nation. Bill Rohan, in his heart, still remains a little boy with big dreams. But when he is faced with war once again, he begins to see the facts from a different perspective, which tends to have him, at times, deliver sensitive lines. Overall, the film itself is quite entertaining, sometimes funny, and amusing. The beautiful soundtrack clearly reflects the mood and environment of the film which makes QUEEN AND COUNTRY even more sentimental and sad.
In conclusion, QUEEN AND COUNTRY is a well-made sequel, which may not be as good as its original, but still makes sense, has a point and a flawless plot, which makes Doorman`s film something to look forward to.