This Happy Breed U

★★★★ – Empire

Chosen by Box Office team member Harry Page, David Lean’s superb film follows the fortunes of a suburban London family, moving from the post-war era of the 1920s to the inevitability of another World War.

"I first saw this film when I was around 12 years old. My Dad, my brother and I were channel hopping and caught the very start on Film4 one random Sunday afternoon, my Dad made a noise that told us that A) we’re watching this now, in full and B) to sit back as this would be seminal.

Being no stranger to classics at this point, having come to the old Phoenix to see It’s a Wonderful Life from an even younger age, as well as one off showings of The Apartment and Casablanca we humoured him.

But, despite that background this was my first David Lean and it blew me away like nothing else and even at a young age I was gutted I hadn’t seen it on the big screen, so let’s call this fulfilment of a long held desire, a real full circle moment.

Big thanks to the programming team for making it possible. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do."

Harry Page, Box Office team