Ethel & Ernest

Animation, Drama

This hand drawn animated film, based on the award winning graphic novel by Raymond Briggs, is an intimate and affectionate depiction of the life and times of his parents, two ordinary Londoners living through extraordinary events.

The critical consensus

Ultimately, the cumulative effect of the vignettes is almost unbearably moving, producing much the same emotional response as the short montage of Carl and Ellie's marriage in Pixar's Up, only spread over 95 minutes. In other words, bring tissues – you'll need them.

(*) Matthew Turner, The List, 24/10/2016

There are no Pixar-like flights of fantasy here and the faces of the characters remain unchanging whatever confronts them. Even so, in its own understated way, the film is deeply moving.

(*) Geoffrey Macnab, The Independent, 26/10/2016

Lovely and poignant.

(*) Alistair Harkness, The Scotsman, 27/10/2016

A modest, engaging feature that is as warm and welcome as a nice cup of tea.

(*) Allan Hunter, Daily Express, 28/10/2016

The second feature animation from the When the Wind Blows author tells the charming story of his parents’ marriage.

(*) (*) Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, 27/10/2016

The screen version of Raymond Briggs’s affectionate tribute to his parents fails to beguile like The Snowman or When the Wind Blows.

(*) (*) (*) Wendy Ide, The Observer, 30/10/2016

A charming animation with funny — if samey — moments and a quality voice cast. If the first 15 minutes of Up were set in London, animated by Raymond Briggs and stretched into a feature-length film, it might look a bit like this.

(*) (*) Anna Smith, Empire Online, 25/10/2016