GLENDA JACKSON

THE GREAT ESCAPER (2024)
Starring Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson. Directed by Oliver Parker.

In the summer of 2014 - the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings - octogenarian Bernie Jordan made global headlines. He’d staged a “great escape” from his care home to join fellow war veterans on a beach in Normandy, commemorating their fallen comrades.

It was a story that captured the imagination of the world - Bernie seemed to embody the defiant, “can- do” spirit of a generation that was fast disappearing. But of course, it wasn’t the whole story. It was the story we all tell ourselves to make war and old age bearable. The bitter-sweet script explores the reality with wit and a very big heart.

Bernie’s adventure, spanning a mere 48 hours, also marked the culmination of his 60-year marriage to Irene - the story celebrates their love without sentimentality and with an eye to the lessons we can all learn from the Greatest Generation.

MOTHERING SUNDAY (2022)
Starring Olivia Colman, Colin Firth, Josh O'Connor, Odessa Young, Glenda Jackson, Sope Dirisu, Alfredo Tavares, Emma D'Arcy, Nathan Reeve and Samuel Barlow. Directed by Eva Husson.

Maid Jane Fairchild has the day off, as her employers, Mr and Mrs Niven are attending an event to celebrate the engagement of their neighbours' son, Paul. Jane is an orphan, so has no mother to spend the day with—but she does have Paul, with whom she's been having a years-long secret affair. The story unfolds as they spend their final day together as lovers.