Johnny on the Run

Included as an extra on the BFI's Blu-ray release of the same director's Cosh Boy this was made under the auspices of the Children's Film Foundation. Much of the CFF product was of very high quality and often shown at Saturday morning picture presentations. As a punter at the time I recall not always being very happy when these supplanted our usual American superhero imports but seem very impressive now. Indeed this offering is certainly superior to the film featured on the front of the box. A simple enough tale of child refugees but much glorious location shooting out in the Scottish hills and vales and a cast of very enthusiastic children who run hither and hither just as much as young Johnny. Eugeniusz Chylek plays the young Pole and very effectively too, an object lesson perhaps for Sydney Tafler alongside whom he plays in the middle section. A delightful and well photographed film capturing well the countryside and the enthusiasm of the young actors.