This Is England (DVD)

There is no doubt that this film is a truly great piece of film-making. Shane Meadows crafts films in the same style as Martin Scorcese. We are given a glimpse into the lifestyle of a group of characters over a short period of time. It is very much a fly on the wall type of movie. The point of these films is to understand the actions of the characters rather than judging their actions. I have no doubt that there will be some people that tag this film as being racist which is rather missing the point.
The film follows Shaun a 12 year old being borough up in early 80's England. He has lost his father in the Falklands war and suffers bullying and isolation until he is befriended by a group of skinheads. The happy band are challenged when Combo is released from prison. Thomas Turgoose is magnificent in the lead role and the direction/screenplay are also spot on the mark. For anybody that lived through the period there are lots of reminders about the period. The film is based on Meadow's own childhood and is quite mesmerising at times.
I was gripped throughout the film and it also gave me plenty to think about afterwards. What more can you ask for when going to the movies? I suppose if you go to the movies for escapism then go watch something else, but if you want a gripping thought provoking drama then it doesn't come much better than this. Outstanding!

Fellow Midlander Shane Meadows has produced not only his finest work to date but one of the very best films to come out of Britain that I have ever had the pleasure of viewing. Just as the effectively chilling, bloody (yet arguably flawed) "Dead Man's Shoes" showcased a passionate return to low budget, focused film making, "This Is England" sees him perfect his technique. It is a seemingly effortless achievement that matches a warm, humorous portrayal of a young lad growing up with his experience of the cold brutality that came with the 80s skinhead culture. The way in which Shane blends these two aspects together without compromising on either is most impressive.

Delivering a surprising, enchanting performance in the lead role as Shaun, Thomas Turgoose portrays a youngster of incredible warmth and charisma. He is befriended by a relatively harmless gang skirting with the skinhead culture rife at the time. His strength of character in the face of the adversity life throws his way is truly unforgettable, a credit to both Shane as the writer and Thomas as the performer. As Shaun discovers the joy of "belonging" in the gang, the viewer takes a similar journey. Through sublime use of another excellent soundtrack (an ear for music in relation to visuals is one of Shane's most loved and respected trademarks) the joy of youth and life literally springs from the screen.

What is particularly successful is Shane's restraint where it comes to grounding the film in reality. It would have been all too easy to escalate these events above and beyond the core group of characters, creating a power struggle on a much bigger, thrill friendly scale. Instead the film remains focused and convincing, not once do you doubt the likelihood of events. The canvas may be smaller but emotionally "This Is England" resonates more powerfully than ever before, taking the harsh, greys of a story like "Dead Man's Shoes" and enlightening it with a central character full of warmth and honesty. In the end this serves to engage the viewer on a much greater level.

It is in comedy that "This Is England" truly surprises, not the usual splash of dark humour but humour of much broader appeal. Thomas' performance brings the sharp dialogue to life with a wonderful physical range, the first half the film is crammed with delightful comic moments that really draw you in to the character, making future events all the more affecting. Much is made of Shaun's romance with a much older girl, the scenes are tear-jerking in their tender, wonderfully observed realism. There is much in the film that will trigger moments of recognition in the viewer, especially (but not exclusively) those who were young in the 80s.

As big time skinhead Combo (the other stand out performance of the piece from Scouser Stephen Graham) comes out of jail the film takes a U-Turn, presenting a troubling, unrestrained view on racism through extreme nationalism, getting deep under the skin to question the source and nature of such hatred. It is in this that we realise this is a study of human nature as Shaun is presented with more extreme acts that drive him to question the moral behind such irrational prejudices.

Book ending the film is real news footage of the political climate surrounding the events depicted, prominent among which is Maggie Thatcher's invasion of the Falklands (a conflict that's consequences prove key to the central narrative) When asked "Will we ever talk to the Argentines again?"

This Is England, A Great classic film film set int the 1980s of England, with skinheads, rick and doll and the gangs, its a look back to how life was starring great caracters, its a great film with a kid called shaun who is unpopular, and having losing his dad through the FALKLANDS CONFLICT, he really needs help, but then he meets a group of friends, its really worth watching!


THIS FILM IS NOT RECCOMENDED IF YOU ARE A IMIGRANT IN ENGLAND
STRONG LANGUAGE, RACISM, VIOLENCE **CERT 18**

but dont let that put you off, you need to see it!

Great film, chosen as it is filmed in Nottingham where I live and my partner can reminise about his childhood growing up in that area. Iconic English film and a made by a great director.

Gives an insight to life in England in the 20th Century, film focuses on skin heads gang, who look after lonely Shaun and show him a good time, Britain is going through a rough time with the Falklands war and now with immigrants coming over from the East taking jobs from the English.

brilliant storyline and the actors are excellent to wanted to see it again after having already seen the film!

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A highly amusing & thought provoking masterpiece.

Would advise anyone to watch this film - especially if you grew up in the 1980's and lived in the North.
Outstanding performances throughout, tackling the issue of racism and extreme right wing politics in a clever way.

fantastic film it is going to be worn out the amount of time its being watched have been fter it for ages as it is not on film on 4 enough

it's a great film, ive being bidding on them but i kept being outbid, but found this for a buy it now price of £2.89 so i couldn't turn it down

great film meadows best yet would reccomend to anyone true to life 80s feel about film with great improvised acting by all especialy the lad good extras on dvd too.

Quick and simple arrived very promptly easier than hiring from local shop would look to buy agian from this guy

a excellent well filmed true story film a great watch and a top british film well done all! may you make plenty of money carter.
excellent from start to finish credit to all actors makers etc well done.!!!

4/5 good film great story to it but when it gets to the end it looks like its about to kick in and it doesnt it comes up with credits good film but not the best ending,
i purchased this dvd as the trailers looked good if not excellent but the film was abit letting down but if you like films with a genra like this then its defo worth the putchase.

Not as good as i expected but ok, husband enjoyed it and daughter didnt what more can i say, its a matter of opinion

this is a must watch film gripping throughout, if my son likes it anyone can watch it, the little lad in this film is amazing,

ANOTHER EXCELLENT FILM MADE BY THE TALENTED SHANE MEADOWS.IF YOU LIKE BRITISH FILMS YOU WILL LOVE THIS AND IT WILL BRING BACK SOME GOOD MEMORIES AND BAD ONES.VERY FUNNY IN PLACES TO MAKE YOU LAUGH OUT LOUD.

Not a bad film however i did get a bit confused by the end though, started off slowly then okay in the middle then tailed of by the end.

this is a good film for bringing back memories of the 80s. the acting of some of the cast i did not thinck was very good but the film was a good watch. the sound track was great a real mix of classics. i think what made it a good film is it is modern history which is not portrayed very much from the avarage persons point of view very often. it was very hard hitting in some places and very down to earth. a good film for people interested in the skin head movement or just the 80s in general. over all a film worth watching it will be staying in my collection and i will watch it again.

Gritty, poignant story of disaffected youth. Evoked tears of laughter and sadness. Entertaining and educational. A must see!

i liked it all it was banging. Thomas turgoose looks a promising young actor for the future and nice to see shane meadows in another british great

Very Good film. j bgn

thanx very much it was a very fast delievery im so satisfied.Cu next time it was a great deal with you...........