'Delightful' BBC WW2 film set in quaint Welsh town is a hidden gem

A BBC drama exploring WW2 through the eyes of an evacuee has been hailed a "delightful" watch by viewers. When Carrie (Keeley Fawcett) and her brother (Jack Stanley) are sent to a quaint Welsh town to escape German bombing, they are taken in by Mr Evans (Alun Armstrong and his sister (Lesley Sharp). Directed by Coky Giedroyc, this TV film is rated an impressive 7.2/10 on IMBd.The film won a whopping four BAFTAs when it came out in 2005, for its set design, costume, makeup and soundtrack.

Based on Nina Bawden's 1973 children's novel, this text was adapted by Silent Witness' Micheal Crompton for screen. Singing its praises, one viewer said the film was "delightful." They wrote: "A delightful story about two evacuees, has been turned into a nice little film, by the BBC. Most children who like a good story will enjoy this. The characters are played really well by a very good cast. Not sure whether our American friends will appreciate it, but they do get a mention, as Aunty Lou runs off with a gorgeous American soldier."

Another, rating the series 7/10, said: "The story revolves around two children sent way from the WWII bombing in London to be billeted with an unknown family in Wales.

"It must have been very distressing to be shipped off like this, whatever the reason. I didn't know it was a children's story when I started to watch it, but it soon became evident.

"It reminded me of The Railway Children. The story unfolds with the children showing more maturity than some of the adult characters, particularly the prejudice and sanctimonious Mr. Evans.

"I thought the ending was a bit odd. The historical tale is brought forward some 10 years or so to end up happy ever after, but the fact that Carrie had been living under a misconception for those years was not really believable. It may have been handled better in the book. What a shame that Keeley Fawcett disappeared from screens following this drama."

Another agreed that Fawcett performed outstandingly. They wrote: "It's a very fine performance from Keeley Fawcett."They added: "I'm not sure what a Welsh children's drama (from a novel by Nina Bawden) is doing in a prime Sunday night TV slot but this proved to be watchable.

"Partly it was because in shows of this kind it is the children who are normal and the adults who are grotesque or just plain odd. What with the severe and slightly potty Mr Evans the grocer, his older sister Mrs Gotobed, Hepzibiah the homely housekeeper, Johnny the handicapped boy and Lou, Evans' younger sister, there's more than enough for an analyst.

"Carrie, the centre of this story about two children sent to the country to escape the blitz, is oddly likable. The great thing about her is she does not let the strangers and strangeness intimidate her; she tackles things on her own terms. She also gives her younger brother the support he needs almost automatically. "The film is available to stream on Prime Video now.