High Hopes
Synopsis
Working-class couple Shirley and Cyril are in conflict over whether they should have children, their problems with 'yuppies' moving into the neighbourhood and outpricing them, and the advent of Cyril's ageing mother's seventieth birthday.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
High Hopes (1988) Trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2021-07-06
Top Cast
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Phil Davis
Cyril Bender
Ruth Sheen
Shirley
Edna Doré
Mrs Bender
Philip Jackson
Martin Burke
Heather Tobias
Valerie
Lesley Manville
Lætitia Boothe-Brain
David Bamber
Rupert Boothe-Brain
Cheryl Prime
Martin's Girlfriend
Judith Scott
Suzi
Jason Watkins
Wayne
Diane-Louise Jordan
Chemist Shop Assistant
Linda Beckett
Receptionist
Ali
Baby
Release History & Theatrical Window
Venice Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
February 24, 1989
Wide Cinema Exhibition
June 27, 2011
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
Undisclosed
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$1.2M
Total global ticket sales
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Mike Leigh
- Screenplay & Story
- Mike Leigh
- Original Score
- Andrew Dickson
- Original Title
- High Hopes
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 48m
- Worldwide Gross
- $1.2M
- Production Studios
- British Screen Productions, Portman Productions, Film Four International
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Mike Leigh
Mike Leigh
Andrew Dickson
Roger Pratt
Jon Gregory
Tom Donald, Simon Channing Williams, Victor Glynn
Department Leadership Roster
Mike Leigh
Director
Mike Leigh
Writer
Roger Pratt
Director of Photography
Andrew Dickson
Original Music Composer
Jon Gregory
Editor
Lindy Hemming
Costume Design
Diana Charnley
Production Design
Simon Channing Williams
Producer
Victor Glynn
Producer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
PG: Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
International Certification Matrix
Suitable only for 15 years and over.
Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for High Hopes.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring High Hopes.
Human Nature
Perceptive, humane films about flawed people and ongoing lives: intelligence, emotional ambiguity, expressive dialogue or visual poetry, and passions that matter to the characters. Inspired by Sideways and Nomadland. Stories may have arcs, but character insight must matter more than plot machinery. Mainly English-language, with selected international exceptions. Each film assessed individually. Independent curation informed by selected BFI and Criterion guides and programmes, with editorial additions. Not an official list from either publication.
Movies - Live Action
Periodic import List
1989
1989
Criterion US - Comedy Movies
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500 best 89's movies
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Frequently Asked Questions About High Hopes
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is High Hopes about?
Working-class couple Shirley and Cyril are in conflict over whether they should have children, their problems with 'yuppies' moving into the neighbourhood and outpricing them, and the advent of Cyril's ageing mother's seventieth birthday.
Who directed High Hopes?
High Hopes was directed by Mike Leigh.
Who stars in High Hopes?
The principal cast of High Hopes includes Phil Davis, Ruth Sheen, Edna Doré, Philip Jackson, Heather Tobias.
When was High Hopes released and how long is it?
High Hopes was released in 1989 with a total runtime of 1h 48m.
How much did High Hopes make at the box office?
High Hopes grossed $1.2M in worldwide ticket sales.
Who composed the musical score for High Hopes?
The original motion picture soundtrack for High Hopes was composed by Andrew Dickson.
What is the age rating and content advisory for High Hopes?
High Hopes holds official age classifications: GB: 15 (Suitable only for 15 years and over.); US: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested — May contain mild violence or suggestive material.).