A new WWII satire: ‘Think of England’ wraps up filming
A unique take on wartime cinema
Principal photography has concluded on the satirical WWII drama Think of England, directed by the BAFTA-nominated Richard Hawkins. Known for his work on Theory of Flight and Everything, Hawkins brings a fresh perspective to the genre with this latest project.
The plot: A tale of two films
Set against the backdrop of the Allied invasion of France, Think of England explores the creation of two British film projects commissioned at the highest levels of government. While Winston Churchill himself orders Laurence Olivier to produce a grand adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry V, the film’s narrative focuses on a more clandestine mission.
A small, eclectic group is dispatched to a remote Orkney island beach with a top-secret task: creating pornographic films to boost the morale of soldiers on the front lines. The synopsis reads, “For who knows how long this war still has to run, and fighting morale — as we learned only too well from the last one — is everything.”
The ensemble cast
The film boasts a diverse cast, including:
- Jack Bandeira (Lockwood & Co)
- Natalie Quarry (Call The Midwife)
- John McCrea (Cruella)
- Ronni Ancona (Big Impression)
- Ben Bela Böhm (Angels & Demons)
- Ollie Maddigan (The Olive Boy)
- Oscar Hoppe (Munich: The Edge of War)
These actors bring to life a range of characters, from a war-damaged former movie star to a celebrated German film director, and even a half-starved Luftwaffe pilot observing from a distance.
Behind the scenes: The creative team
Think of England is produced by the father-daughter duo Nick O’Hagan (The Good Liar, The Serpent Queen) and Poppy O’Hagan (Worm, Good Boy) of Giant Films. The film is executive produced by Geoffrey Freeman of High Street Films, alongside Andrew Wood and Lucas Wood-Oliván.
The creative team includes:
- Sarah Cunningham (Cinematographer, The Banishing)
- Chris Richmond (Production Designer, The Amazing Mr Blunden)
- Nadia Dunn-Hill (Costume Designer, Wimbledon)
- Alexis Arenas (Hair & Make-up Designer, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan)
- Matt Sheppard (Casting, Boiling Point)
Filming locations and sustainability
Shooting took place at Shinfield Studios in Reading and on location in Anglesey, North Wales. The production also collaborated with Amelia Price of Sustainable Film to ensure carbon-conscious filmmaking practices.
Reflections from the team
Poppy O’Hagan shared her thoughts on the project, stating, “No matter how tough indie filmmaking can get, we would always remind ourselves what a privilege it is to bring such unique stories to life.”
Director Richard Hawkins expressed his excitement, saying, “Very excited to have completed principal photography on Think of England. Seven extraordinary narratives, four cinematic grammars, three different media, two aspect ratios, one entire film! All in the can!”
A fresh perspective on wartime cinema
Think of England promises to offer a unique and satirical take on WWII, blending humor and drama in a way that challenges traditional narratives. The film’s innovative approach and diverse cast make it a must-watch for cinema enthusiasts.
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit Think of England.
This article aims to provide an in-depth look at the upcoming film Think of England, highlighting its unique plot, talented cast, and dedicated creative team. By offering personal reflections and additional context, the article seeks to engage cinema enthusiasts and provide a comprehensive overview of this intriguing new project.