Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- ominous
- melancholic
- paranoid
- historical drama night
- political thriller evening
What critics said
Critics found the prewar conspiracy drama solid and old-fashioned but less propulsive than its thriller premise suggests.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Anne discovers secret radio recordings linked to the pro-appeasement movement, making recorded voices central to the investigation.
The Keyes family's traditional way of life is tied to concealed political sympathies and appeasement-era secrets.
Anne's investigation transforms the idyllic Keyes household into the source of personal and political betrayal.
The idyllic British countryside is repeatedly set against mounting tension, secret recordings, imprisonment, and the outbreak of war.
Films like Glorious 39, and why
The Remains of the Day
shared prewar british setting, family secrets, political anxiety, and psychologically tense historical drama
Atonement
shared british period atmosphere, aristocratic social structures, suppressed truths, and impending wartime upheaval
The Lives of Others
shared historical conspiracy, ideological betrayal, and morally unsettling political thriller elements
The Garden of the Finzi-Continis
shared claustrophobic family drama, looming fascism, and revelations that fracture an apparently secure social world
Movie Details
- Director
- Stephen Poliakoff
- Release Date
- 2009-11-20
- Runtime
- 129 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (96)
Cast
- Romola Garai
- Bill Nighy
- Julie Christie
- Eddie Redmayne
- Juno Temple
- David Tennant
- Charlie Cox
- Jeremy Northam
- Christopher Lee
- Corin Redgrave
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Glorious 39 about?
- A young actress's investigation into secret appeasement-era recordings tears apart her privileged family as Britain approaches war.
- What is Glorious 39 like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Glorious 39 as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Glorious 39 violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Glorious 39 as moderate.
- What did critics think of Glorious 39?
- Critics found the prewar conspiracy drama solid and old-fashioned but less propulsive than its thriller premise suggests.
- Which films are like Glorious 39?
- Films with a similar feel include The Remains of the Day, Atonement, The Lives of Others, and The Garden of the Finzi-Continis.
- How long is Glorious 39?
- Glorious 39 runs 129 minutes.
- Where can I watch Glorious 39?
- In United States, Glorious 39 is available to rent or buy from Google Play Movies, YouTube.
