Film

Summerhill

2008 · Drama · Family

IMDb

7.6

Summerhill, whose headmistress is Zoe Redhead, is a seventy year old progressive school, run on cooperative lines with pupils having an equal say in its constitution. However officious OFSTED inspector Wharton regards it as a waste of money and a means of teaching children disrespect - though his assistant Myrtle is charmed by its ambience. In a court hearing to decide the school's future barrister Geoffrey Robertson points to the many alumni from the school but also, thanks to a tip-off from a pupil, is able to reveal that Wharton had told Myrtle that the school was virtually due for closure and the inspection was purely a formality. Consequently Summerhill is saved, Myrtle gets to teach there and the children launch a pirate ship with the banner 'Freedom' to celebrate the victory. Two children whose future at the school looked uncertain are also given cause to celebrate.

Connor McIntyre

Len

Olly Alexander

Ned

Ruth Gemmell

Rose

Annette Badland

Myrtle

Jessie Cave

Stella

Lola Mae Loughran

Ellen

Karl Rogers

Peter

• Jon EastDirector
• Alison HumeScreenplay

Release date

January 21, 2008

Status

Released

Original language

English

Genres

Drama, Family