Children of Men (2006)

Plot of Children of Men: It is 2027 and the world is in chaos, because children have ceased to be born, possibly due to female infertility. In Britain it appears that there is some form of dictatorship with military forces rounding up all immigrants and either executing them or deporting them. Theo works in some form of government organisation. He is taken hostage by a group called the Fishes, led by his former wife, Julian, because he has access to the government and they want a travel pass for a young woman. He does get the pass, but it is for him and her. The group get to a country hideout, being ambushed on the way, which results in Julian’s death. Theo finds out that rest of the Fishes are enemies. Theo and Kee the young woman, who it turns out is the first woman to become pregnant for 18 years, hide out with Theo’s friend Jasper but they are tracked by the Fishes. They escape and start off towards Bexhill on Sea where they hope to get on the ship Tomorrow and get to safety.

Content: No sex or nudity, apart from Kee briefly exposing herself to show she is pregnant. Some drinking in more or less social contexts. London features, with the government building visited by Theo being in the Tate Modern. Many scenes of people being held in cages and soldiers being aggressive. The Fishes are a small group of political rebels who are involved in an escape from rioters in the forest. They kill Theo’s friend Jasper although Theo and Kee escape in Jasper’s car. At Bexhill on Sea they are involved in an attack by soldiers on a group of machine gun toting refugees, which go in for ages.  

A View: Apparently P.D. James liked the film, although the book is dry as dust, with the character’s motivations being quite different from those in the film. It was an expensive production and despite the fact that it was well liked by everybody, and was nominated in three categories of the Oscars, it did not make any money. Apparently the director does not like back story much, and it shows but since the book is quite different from the film, apart from the basic plot that there are no babies reading it will not help much. But there is a lot to enjoy so give it a couple of hours and expect some excitement.

Fun Fact: The film is known for its long single shot sequences. The one of the Bexhill battle apparently took two weeks to set up and lasts for six minutes and eighteen seconds.