Son of Rambow

Son of Rambow

Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	22 January 2007
Founder	Garth Jennings
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Comedy film

Son of Rambow is a comedic motion picture from 2007, both penned and helmed by Garth Jennings, drawing inspiration from the film First Blood. Its initial screening occurred on 22 January 2007 at the Sundance Film Festival, followed by appearances at events such as the Newport Beach Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Glasgow Film Festival, and the 51st BFI London Film Festival. The movie debuted in the United Kingdom on 4 April 2008 and saw a limited release in the United States starting 2 May 2008. Set against the backdrop of Thatcher-era Britain, the narrative centers on two school-aged boys who embark on creating a homemade film inspired by First Blood.

Plot

Will Proudfoot is an introverted 11-year-old boy raised in a strict Plymouth Brethren household, where watching films or television is forbidden. After being pulled out of class during a documentary screening, he encounters Lee Carter, a defiant 12-year-old. When they accidentally shatter a fishbowl, Lee offers to take responsibility for the mishap in exchange for Will’s late father’s watch and insists that Will perform stunts in a film Lee is crafting for the Screen Test Young Film-Makers' Competition.

At Lee’s home, Will learns that Lee intends to use video equipment owned by his intimidating older brother Lawrence to produce a tribute to First Blood. Motivated after viewing the movie, Will becomes involved in the project, undertaking risky action sequences. Their friendship strengthens as Lee weaves Will’s sketchbook concepts into the screenplay. However, Will must conceal this endeavor from his family and Brother Joshua of the Brethren, who increasingly intervenes.

A French exchange student named Didier Revol discovers Will’s sketchbook and joins their project, sparking widespread participation among classmates and boosting Will’s popularity with older students—much to Lee’s irritation. While filming at an abandoned power plant, tensions culminate in a physical altercation; Lee storms off. A structural collapse traps Will, but only Lee returns to save him, sustaining injuries that land him in hospital. During a visit, Lawrence expresses anger over his damaged camera.

Recognizing her son’s need for independence, Will’s mother decides to leave the Brethren with her family. Although the film misses the competition deadline, Lawrence reviews Lee’s footage and is impressed. He contributes additional scenes featuring himself, including a personal message for Will. After being discharged from hospital, Lee’s film is screened before a main feature at a cinema, delighting viewers and restoring their friendship.

Production

Son of Rambow represents a creative venture developed over multiple years by Garth Jennings and Nick Goldsmith (known collectively as Hammer & Tongs), temporarily paused due to their involvement with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. This project marks their second significant feature film and draws upon Jennings’ own childhood experiences during the 1980s when home video technology became widely available. The movie authentically recreates an English comprehensive school setting complemented by a soundtrack featuring both popular hits and obscure tracks from that decade. Principal filming took place in Berkhamsted, utilizing locations such as Ashlyns School and The Rex, an Art Deco cinema that had been restored and listed. Additional footage was captured at the disused Richborough Power Station near Sandwich.

The homes of the two protagonists are situated on upscale streets close to Berkhamsted Castle. The film incorporates archival footage of Jan Pinkava winning the BBC Screen Test contest. A minor role is portrayed by Sam Kubrick-Finney, grandson of famed director Stanley Kubrick. The production includes clips from First Blood and received approval from Sylvester Stallone, star of the Rambo series.

Critical response

Son of Rambow received largely positive critiques. On Rotten Tomatoes, it maintains a 73% approval rating derived from 118 reviews, with commendations focusing on its heartfelt nature and the appealing performances of its youthful cast despite its nostalgic theme. On Metacritic, the film earned a score of 66 out of 100 based on 29 critic assessments.

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times offered a favorable evaluation, drawing parallels between director Garth Jennings and the film’s main character, and describing it as a comedic epic. The Washington Post highlighted its successful combination of humor and innocence, while The Austin Chronicle characterized it as "both funny and sweet." Meanwhile, The Boston Globe referred to the movie as "an absolute delight."

David Morrell, the creator behind John Rambo, praised the film as "a tender, charming story." Sylvester Stallone also conveyed his appreciation by sending a message to the filmmakers expressing his love for the movie.

Accolades

In 2008, Son of Rambow featured on multiple critics' top ten lists, securing eighth place for Kimberly Jones of The Austin Chronicle and Ty Burr from The Boston Globe, and ninth for Marc Savlov of The Austin Chronicle. The film received the Empire Award for Best Comedy, and its director Garth Jennings was nominated for a BAFTA in the Most Promising Newcomer category. Furthermore, it was recognized as one of the Top Ten Independent Films by the National Board of Review that year.

Home media

The UK saw the release of Son of Rambow on DVD and Blu-ray on 11 August 2008, with the US DVD edition following on 26 August 2008.

Musical

A theatrical musical version was developed through workshops at Nuffield Southampton Theatres (NST) in partnership with The Other Palace in London. This production ran from 24 May to 2 June 2018. Directed by NST Artistic Director Samuel Hodges, it featured compositions by Miranda Cooper and Nick Coler, with lyrics by Cooper and Richard Marsh, and a book authored by Marsh.

External links

• Son of Rambow listing in the 2007 Sundance Film Festival program
• Interview with Garth Jennings at FutureMovies