Home by Christmas (2010)
A film memoir of love, war and secrets
A remarkable memoir of resilience, determination and love.Based on filmmaker Gaylene Preston's interviews with her father about his World War II experiences, reconstructed with actor Tony Barry as Ed Preston. Weaving strands of poetic imagined drama, and archival footage into the interview, Preston presents both sides of her parents' wartime marriage: the horror and hardship of battlefield and prison camp juxtaposed with the loneliness and grief of a young wife struggling with a newborn baby and a husband declared missing.Ed Preston, on his way home from rugby practice in 1940, joins the New Zealand Army to go to World War II. His new wife, Tui, is pregnant and distraught, but he tells her not to worry, he'll be home by Christmas. And so he is - four years later - after escaping from a prison camp in Italy. But while Ed is away, Tui has fallen in love with another man.
Cast
- Martin Henderson - Ed Preston
- Jed Brophy - Mart Preston
- Tony Barry - Ed
- Nick Blake - Les Harker
- Byron Coll - Hoppy
- Peter Hambleton - Sgt Syd Gurton
- Richard Knowles - Vic
- Kate McGill - Selina
- Chelsie Preston Crayford - Tui
Keywords
woman director
Trailer
Home by Christmas TrailerFrequently Asked Questions
- What is Home by Christmas about?
- A remarkable memoir of resilience, determination and love.Based on filmmaker Gaylene Preston's interviews with her father about his World War II experiences, reconstructed with actor Tony Barry as Ed Preston. Weaving strands of poetic imagined drama, and archival footage into the interview, Preston presents both sides of her parents' wartime marriage: the horror and hardship of battlefield and prison camp juxtaposed with the loneliness and grief of a young wife struggling with a newborn baby and a husband declared missing.Ed Preston, on his way home from rugby practice in 1940, joins the New Zealand Army to go to World War II. His new wife, Tui, is pregnant and distraught, but he tells her not to worry, he'll be home by Christmas. And so he is - four years later - after escaping from a prison camp in Italy. But while Ed is away, Tui has fallen in love with another man.
- Who directed Home by Christmas?
- Home by Christmas was directed by Gaylene Preston.
- Who stars in Home by Christmas?
- Home by Christmas stars Martin Henderson, Jed Brophy, Tony Barry, Nick Blake, Byron Coll, Peter Hambleton.
- How long is Home by Christmas?
- Home by Christmas has a runtime of 1h 33m (93 minutes).
- What genre is Home by Christmas?
- Home by Christmas is a Drama, War film.
- Where was Home by Christmas produced?
- Home by Christmas was produced in New Zealand.