Ethel & Ernest is honestly one of the most powerful and emotional animated films ever made. Released in 2016, this British animated biographical drama was directed by Roger Mainwood and is based on the 1998 graphic novel by Raymond Briggs. But this is not just any animated film — it tells the deeply personal and real story of Briggs’ own parents, Ethel and Ernest, and their ordinary yet extraordinary life together.
The film follows them from the 1920s, when they first meet and fall in love, through decades of massive change in Britain, all the way to the 1970s. We see them live through war, political shifts, technological changes, and the quiet moments of everyday family life. It was first broadcast on BBC One on 28 December 2016, and since then it has become one of those hidden gems that proves animation is not just for kids — it can be just as moving and serious as any live-action film.
What makes Ethel & Ernest so special to me is how real it feels. It’s not dramatic in a flashy way. It’s gentle, honest, and sometimes heartbreaking. It shows how two normal people lived through some of the biggest events of the twentieth century, and somehow that makes it even more powerful.
The plot
The story of Ethel & Ernest begins in 1928 London, where an ordinary moment changes two lives forever. Ernest Briggs, a cheerful milkman, spots Ethel, a quiet and proper lady’s maid, while she is cleaning windows. It’s not dramatic or over-the-top — just small glances that slowly turn into something meaningful. They begin courting, eventually marry, and move into a modest house in Wimbledon Park. Money is tight, but they work hard to make it a proper home. In 1934, Ethel gave birth to their only son, Raymond, who would later grow up to be the writer and illustrator Raymond Briggs.
As the 1930s end, the world begins to change. The Second World War breaks out, and their quiet domestic life is suddenly surrounded by uncertainty and fear. Ernest becomes a volunteer fireman during the Blitz, witnessing burning buildings and destruction across London, while Ethel stays at home trying to keep everything together. Wanting to protect Raymond, they make the painful decision to evacuate him to relatives in Dorset. For Ethel especially, this separation is heartbreaking. Their own house is damaged in the bombings, but they survive, repair what they can, and carry on.
Post war
After the war, Britain entered a new era. Ernest is optimistic about the changes brought in by the Labour government, especially the creation of the National Health Service. Ethel, however, is more cautious and uneasy about how quickly society seems to be shifting. Their conversations often show this difference — Ernest hopeful and political, Ethel practical and traditional. Meanwhile, Raymond grows up clever and artistic. He earns a place at grammar school, making his parents proud, but tension appears when he chooses to attend art college instead of following a more secure and conventional career path. His bohemian lifestyle unsettles Ethel in particular, who struggles to understand the world her son is stepping into.
The decades pass quietly but meaningfully. The couple watch major national moments unfold, including the coronation of Elizabeth II, the arrival of television in their living room, and the dramatic cultural changes of the 1960s. Through it all, they remain steady in their routines and values, even as Britain transforms around them.
Old age
In their later years, the tone of the film becomes more fragile. Ethel’s health begins to fail, and she develops dementia. The most painful moments come when she struggles to recognise Ernest, the man she has spent her entire life beside. Ernest tries to care for her as best he can, but her condition worsens. Ethel dies in 1971, and Ernest passes away not long after, unable to continue without her.
The film ends with Raymond reflecting on his parents’ lives. There are no grand speeches or exaggerated drama — just the quiet understanding that their story, though ordinary on the surface, was shaped by love, endurance and history itself. It shows how two everyday people lived through some of the most defining decades of the twentieth century, and how their simple, steady life together mattered more than they probably ever realised.
The cast
The voice cast in Ethel & Ernest is honestly one of the reasons the characters feel so real. Jim Broadbent plays Ernest Briggs and perfectly captures his warmth, humour and stubborn optimism. Opposite him, Brenda Blethyn voices Ethel, giving her a quiet strength and emotional depth that makes the later scenes even more powerful. Luke Treadaway voices the adult Raymond Briggs, while Harry Collett plays him as a child. Other cast members include Roger Allam as Doctor Trotter, Pam Ferris as Mrs Bennett and Aunt Betty, Virginia McKenna as Lady Foxworthy, Peter Wight as Detective Sergeant Burnley, June Brown as Ernest’s stepmother, and Simon Day as Alf. The performances never feel exaggerated; they sound like real people you might actually meet.
Production
The production of the film has its own story behind it. It was originally going to be produced by John Coates, who was famous for producing The Snowman. After Coates passed away in 2012, production continued under Camilla Deakin and Ruth Fielding from Lupus Films. The voice cast was officially announced in August 2015. What makes the film even more impressive is that it was created using 67,680 hand-drawn frames. That means every movement you see on screen was carefully illustrated, which explains why it feels so personal and detailed.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack also adds a lot to the atmosphere. The original score was composed by Carl Davis, including music from the different decades the story tells. Songs from artists like Al Bowlly, Gracie Fields and The Shadows help ground each time period in a way that feels natural rather than forced. The film closes with an original song, “In The Blink Of An Eye”, written and performed by Paul McCartney, which fits the reflective tone of the ending perfectly.
The film made its official debut at the BFI London Film Festival, which is a huge platform for British cinema. It later had its American theatrical premiere at the Nuart Landmark Theatre in Santa Monica, California, in December 2017.
Audience response
Critically, the response was extremely strong. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 97% rating based on 35 reviews, with critics describing it as gentle, poignant and vividly animated. On Metacritic, it scored 72 out of 100, which indicates generally favourable reviews. Overall, I praise it for its emotional honesty, and its animation style. The way it captures the feeling of an entire era without ever losing focus on two very ordinary, very human lives.
In the end, Ethel & Ernest is not loud or dramatic in the way most films try to be. It doesn’t rely on huge twists or spectacle. Instead, it quietly tells the story of two ordinary people whose lives were shaped by war, politics, family, and time itself. Through hand-drawn animation and beautifully natural performances, it captures something that feels completely real — the small conversations at the kitchen table, the worries about the future, the pride in a child growing up, and the slow passing of years.
What makes it so powerful is that it respects its characters. It never mocks their views or makes them seem small. Ernest’s optimism and Ethel’s caution both feel human. Their love is not flashy or over-romanticised; it is steady, built on routine and loyalty. By the time the film reaches its final moments, it feels less like you have watched a film and more like you have witnessed an entire lifetime.
It also proves that animation can handle serious, emotional history just as strongly as live action. The soft watercolour style almost makes everything feel like a memory, which fits perfectly because the whole story is essentially a son looking back at his parents’ lives with understanding and respect.
Final thoughts
For me, this film stands out because it shows that an “ordinary” life is never really ordinary. It’s shaped by world events, personal struggles, and quiet love that lasts decades. That is why I would confidently give Ethel & Ernest a 9 out of 10. It is thoughtful, moving and honest — the kind of film that stays with you long after the credits finish.
Rating: 9 / 10
