Albert's Memorial (2009)
One-off comedy drama that follows the story of three World War II veterans: Harry, Frank and Albert. It is October 2000 and, at the age of 76, Albert's dying wish is to be buried on the little hill outside Hinderburg in Germany where he watched the Russians take position in the closing stages of the Battle for Berlin. The notion of Harry and Frank transporting Albert's body after his death is a crazy one, but life is short, friendship precious and, after all, the trio have known each other for more than half a century.
Watch Trailer
Cast
Reviews
The first twenty minutes have great promise as the dying Albert asks his two wartime buddies for a huge favor. Darkly humorous. Once the show goes on the road however the movie starts to lose its charm and the character of Vicki makes no sense at all. I cannot write more without spoiling the twist such as it is. The ending is too obvious and overstated. I was perhaps hoping for too much from the great David Warner.
This was just shown on ABC in Australia, and it was an unexpected pleasure.David Warner and David Jason mesh well as two tired, old men, trying to fulfill a deceased friend's dying wish. On the way they meet a lovely, if mysterious, girl called Vicki, and they have adventures as they journey across Europe at their friend's behest.Warner and Jason mesh well, both at their best, Warner as a complete curmudgeon, Jason as slightly bewildered. Both still at the top of their game and pulling off some very good comedy timing.It's that comedy that makes the movie, overlaying the sombre tone of two men coping with losing a good friend.I certainly recommend giving it a shot, you may be surprised. 7/10
Broadcast on 12/12/09 in Australia it's a familiar story of two old men looking after their old friend and finding that getting old is not all that good.Performances are good: Jason does is old lag routine - though quietened from Only Fools... and Warner is curmudgeonly but caring. Locations look just nice but the addition of the girl is a good idea,a although it stretches credibility.Even so, it offers a reasonable time in the company of the two main characters and reflections on war and getting old and being human. Not so bad after all.
Albert (deceased) is one of 3 British WWII vets, whose 2 remaining friends honour his wish to be buried at the site of their shared wartime experience, in Germany.It's classification as a comedy is inadequate. It's gently mocking tone evokes smiles rather than laughter, and it's sentimentality gradually builds to show troubling memories shared by the 2 aged vets, which their bemused hitchhiker tries to soothe.The use of artifice is restrained, cinematography and soundtrack are plain but effective, and the downbeat dialogue and acting suits the story.The languid pace of this film may deter some, but it richly rewards those viewers who watch it in full: this is a film of rare beauty and power.