Famous Rudyard’s beloved son, and the Kiplings' tragedy
Rudyard Kipling was a famous English journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist. One of his most well-known work was The Jungle Book (1894). The book inspired many screenplays and soundtracks, including Disney's adaptations. Despite the dark, sinister vibe of the original book, Disney’s version of The Jungle Book is more cheerful and enchanted.
I have to make one thing clear. Unlike Goodbye Christopher Robin, Finding Neverland, and Saving Mr. Banks, this movie is not relevant to Kipling' familiar masterpiece - The Jungle Book. Thus, it is a biographical film about the author Kipling's cherished son: John Kipling (known as Jack) and the inspiration for Rudyard's poem: My Boy Jack. The movie is based on the same name play, which was written by David Haig in 1997.
The movie tells a story of 17-year-old John Kipling (Daniel Radcliffe) the only son of Rudyard Kipling, who wanted to join the British army in the World War I. Apart from his dad's support, his mom Caroline Kipling (Kim Cattrall) and his sister Elise (Carey Mulligan) opposed his decision. Rudyard spent time to help his son on responding to the questions at the medical examination. The opening scene gave us an alert that Jack's eyesight was poor, he could hardly see anything without his glasses.
Therefore, he was rejected twice after the medical examinations. He then admitted to Elise that he joined the war to escape expectation and to run away from home.“I don’t give a damn whether it’s sensible or not, or dangerous or not, I don’t give a damn as long as get away, and out of this house”.
Witnessing Jack's strong will, Rudyard used his influence with the military establishment to help him enlist as a Second Lieutenant in the Irish Guards. During the training, Jack wrote letters and sent photos to their family. It was very warm-hearted to see the Kiplings proudly read those letters, as they all loved jack deeply. On Jack's birthday, they even organized a party to celebrate even though he was not presented there.
The second half of the movie was more intense and heart-rending. Rudyard Kipling was informed by telegram that Jack was reported “missing, believed wounded.” All the Kipling members were devastated, while Caroline screamed: “No!”, Elise burst out crying: “He’ll come home then won’t he? – He’ll be fine.” Rudyard eased their pain by noting that he might have been just wounded.
Since then, Rudyard and Caroline started the journey of searching for their son. They went to everywhere, asked many people to collect information about the battle. However, the worst scenario happened. A survivor of the battle arrived at the Kiplings' house, and told them Jack's story. He was shot by the enemy's gunfire, after he lost his glasses in the mud.
Although Rudyard Kipling was a complicated man (Moss 2008), the author deeply grieved the death of his son, and the fact that he sent his son to war tormented him in years. He wrote in the Epitaphs of the War (cited in Poetry Foundation) :
“If any question why we died
Tell them, because our fathers lied."
David Haig has a remarkable performance of Rudyard Kipling. Daniel Radcliffe was great, too. He proves that he can play more diverse role than just Harry Potter.
After watching My boy Jack, I realize that it has an intimate connection with Goodbye Christopher Robin. Two films both take place in England and their main theme is war and grieving. There is also a dad and son relationship in both film, and how their sons affected the author's creative works. Jack Kipling and Christopher all wanted to join the war to get away from something, and the fact that their dads helped to send them to the army left both men in great agony. Both films point out how cruel and tragic the war was, but My boy Jack has a more sorrowful ending.
"Oh, dear, what comfort can I find?"/ None this tide/ Nor any tide
The movie is worth watching. If you are concerned with historical accuracy, you won't be disappointed by My Boy Jack. The film bases mostly on the history, and it gives an authentic views of Rudyard Kipling’s personality and his deep regret towards the death of his son.
Even though the identity of Jack in the poem is questionable, many people believe that the poem is a reference to John Kipling, as Rudyard published My Boy Jack after the death of his son.
[Poem]: My Boy Jack- Rudyard Kipling (cited in Poetrybyheart)
Have you news of my boy Jack? "
Not this tide.
"When d'you think that he'll come back?"
Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.
"Has any one else had word of him?"
Not this tide.
For what is sunk will hardly swim,
Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.
"Oh, dear, what comfort can I find?"
None this tide,
Nor any tide,
Except he did not shame his kind---
Not even with that wind blowing, and that tide.
Then hold your head up all the more,
This tide,
And every tide;
Because he was the son you bore,
And gave to that wind blowing and that tide.
Watch the full movie here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxEgHZNjMro
Nat's rating:
Reference:
Al Selby 2016, ‘MY BOY JACK’, Web archive,
viewed 25 July 2018,<https://web.archive.org/web/20160303180058/http://www.bensilverstone.net/myboyjack.ap>.
BBC 2007, ‘My Boy Jack Full Movie’, online video, Wahjr Feoska, 24 May 2015, viewed 20 July 2018, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxEgHZNjMro>.
My Boy Jack 2007, motion picture, Counties Laois and Kildare, Ireland, Dublin, Casey M, Producer, Kirk B, Director.
Poetry Foundation, n.d, ‘Epitaphs of the War’, Poetry Foundation, viewed 1 August 2018, <https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/57409/epitaphs-of-the-war>.
Poetry by heart, n.d, ‘My Boy Jack (1915)’, Poetrybyheart, viewed 1 August 2018, <http://www.poetrybyheart.org.uk/poems/my-boy-jack/>.
Quotes.net, 2018, ‘Finding Neverland Quotes’, Quotes.net, viewed 20 July 2018, <https://www.quotes.net/mquote/32274>.https://www.quotes.net/mquote/32274>.
Springfield! Springfield!, n.d, ‘My Boy Jack (2007) Movie Script, Springfieldpringfield, viewed 1 August 2018, <https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=my-boy-jack>.
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