The true story of a WWII veteran who secretly leaves his care home to attend the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings is told in this poignant British drama, which contains upsetting scenes and moments of wartime threat.

The film marked the final screen performances for both lead actors: Glenda Jackson died in June 2023, nine months after filming finished; Michael Caine announced his retirement from acting in October 2023.

Trivia

The light effect of the sun that young Bernard points out to Irene is known to film makers as 'the magic hour' and its unusual quality had been utilised in many movies throughout time; notably Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) trilogy and Nic Roeg's Australian set film Walkabout (1971) bringing a dreamlike feel or look to a particular scene. It is notoriously hard to film in the UK due to the weather frequently obscuring it but on this occasion the director got lucky.