Watch Carrie's War

Carrie's War is a heartwarming British drama from 2004 that tells the story of a young girl named Carrie Willow (played by Keeley Fawcett) who is evacuated from the bustling city of London during the height of World War II. Along with her younger brother Nick (Jack Stanley), Carrie is sent to the countryside of Wales to live with the kindly but eccentric Mr. Evans (played by Lincolnshire-born actor Eddie Cooper) and his sister, Auntie Lou (Karen Meagher).

The children's stay in Wales is initially marred by Mr. Evans' strange rules and the constant bullying from his aggressive son, Ronald (played by Tomos Eames), who goes out of his way to make Carrie and Nick's lives miserable. Carrie, an imaginative and sensitive child, finds solace in her new surroundings, particularly in the form of the beautiful Welsh countryside, which she views with a sense of awe and wonder. She also becomes friends with the other evacuated children in the area, including the local vicar's son Albert Sandwich (Alun Armstrong), and both she and Nick love to spend their days playing, exploring and getting into all sorts of adventures.

As Carrie's relationship with Mr. Evans and Auntie Lou improves, she becomes privy to their dark family secrets, including the tragic death of their daughter, Gwyneth (Phoebe Benedict). The shadow of this event looms heavy over the Evans family, and Carrie finds herself increasingly drawn to the mystery surrounding Gwyneth's untimely passing. Meanwhile, with the war raging on and London constantly being bombed, Carrie begins to worry about her mother and longs to return home.

As the story unfolds, the audience is taken on a journey of newfound friendships, family secrets, and a child's unbreakable spirit in the face of adversity. The real strength of Carrie's War is how it explores the themes of family, love, and loss, all against the backdrop of a country at war. The film is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices that were made by so many during World War II and how, through a spirit of resilience and determination, communities were able to pull together in the toughest of times.

The cinematography of Carrie's War is stunning, with sweeping shots of the Welsh countryside showcasing the natural beauty of the region. The performances too, are first-rate, with Keeley Fawcett delivering a standout performance as the curious and plucky Carrie Willow. Fawcett perfectly captures the wide-eyed vulnerability of a young girl thrust into a strange new world, yet with an unrelenting spirit that helps her overcome her fears.

Overall, Carrie's War is a beautifully crafted British drama that transports the viewer back to a time of great uncertainty and upheaval. The film is a reminder of the importance of family, friendship, and love, and how even in the darkest of times, these values provide the hope and strength to overcome adversity.

Carrie's War is a 2004 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.