SpuffyWeb Sadly Over-hyped

AshUnow This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Jenna Walter The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Matho The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

j-g-treble This film is a weakly disguised excuse to recycle a few yards of footage of the most recent coronation to be held in Britain (1953). The supporting story is paper-thin, the cast (which includes Peter Sellers) struggles with a weak script, and the direction is leaden. The best reason for watching it is to be reminded of what the late 60's did for British society, in getting rid of all that deference and the pretence that everything and everyone in Britain was wonderful - even Americans! From tart to field-marshal, everyone has a heart of gold. Sid James' character is an attempt to introduce an element of dissension that fails to convince.

Spikeopath John and Julie is written directed by William Fairchild. It stars Colin Gibson, Lesley Dudley, Noelle Middleton, Moira Lister, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Sid James and Megs Jenkins. Out of Beaconsfield Studios, film is shot in Eastman Color with music by Philip Green (trumpet solo's Eddie Calvert) and cinematography by Arthur Grant.John (Gibson) and Julie (Dudley), two young children in 1953, set off on their own from Dorset to see The Queen's Coronation in London....Utterly charming picture full of youthful bluster and eccentric adults. Film is very much of its time, it harks back to a time when kids were safe on the streets, people were only too glad to help and you could drink water from the local stream! In essence it's a road movie, one that is powered by two youngsters who by hook or by crook, want to see the Queen get crowned. Story shows how these two young kiddies use initiative and naivety to get to their destination, how they affect everyone who comes into contact with them, and finally how such an historical event brought about a joy and community spirit that is sadly all too lacking in today's modern British society. All of which is deftly flecked by Eddie Calvert's beautiful trumpet.God bless her!Is it contrived? And do you have to be a fan of the British Royals to get the most out of it? Not at all. Yes you need a modicum of disbelief suspension to accept that the kids could make it all that way without getting nabbed by the police, the latter of which hardly come off as sharp coppers here, but Fairchild is all about youthful determination and how young cherubs can often beguile us adults. Fairchild also knits it all together with ease, even managing to unobtrusively insert actual footage of the Coronation parade into the joyous climax. The child actors are thankfully, very likable, especially Dudley who is simply adorable, and the cast is a roll call of British film treasures. Stand outs are Sid James at his grumpy best as John's father, Hyde-White is classy and correct, Jenkins as usual delivers a memorable female touch and Lister scores high as a tart with a heart. Peter Sellers fans should note he has only a small role, that of a good old British Bobby.Of its time for sure, but that is a good thing here. A true spirit lifting film and a beacon of unadulterated joy for the child in all of us. 8/10

ianlouisiana "The Man with the Golden Trumpet" they called Eddie Calvert who came up through the Brass bands of Northern England to headline at Variety theatres throughout the U.K and what remained of the Empire.His big hits like "Oh mein Papa","Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" and "John and Julie" coincided - rather like the Coronation - with the Empire's last gleaming.African chiefs in colourful robes smiled unthreateningly,Queen Salote of Tonga disdained the use of an umbrella during the procession,Young Elizabethans all over the country crowded round the two or three Television sets per street and peered at their 12" or 14" screens aware that in a few days time they would have to be writing an essay "What I did on Coronation Day". For John and Julie that would have proved a mammoth task. Coming up to London to see the procession,they become separated from their parents and meet an Ealingesque cross - section of the population before being restored to the bosom of their Enid Blyton - like family. There is a sunny assumption that every adult is not a potential paedophile but a helpful protective presence that it would take a naive filmmaker to replicate today."John and Julie"'s touching innocence is one of its attractions in an infinitely more hostile world. Sumptuously coloured,it evokes the world of "Eagle",,"Spangles" "Dollar" bubblegum,"Muffin the Mule" and "Mr Turnip",all of whom John and Julie would have been aware of. How fortunate they were to have been growing up in such exciting times. In retrospect the Coronation can be seen as the last true evocation of the spirit of the Blitz where class divisions were laid aside,old enmities put on hold and most of Britain spoke with one voice of optimism and hope fuelled by respect for the monarchy in the person of the bright,fresh young queen who represented so many hopes and dreams. Just eight years after the end of the second world war the New Elizabethans gave notice that the country was under new management after years of austerity and sacrifice."John and Julie" personifies that optimism in its purest form.

john phillips Firstly...WHY OH WHY OH WHY cant we buy this film in the U.K ? So many excellent British films are just not available here.OK rant over. I've seen this film a couple of times on TV albeit a long time ago.The story evolves around two children " John and Julie " who run away to London to see the Queens Coronation. Their parents are content to watch it on television but the children have other ideas..So the story unfolds with many lovely adventures along the way.This is a film that most every child would love, without the violence and bad language many of them are subjected to today.If you can get it then do ! you wont regret it.