This Is England [DVD] [2006]

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Customer reviews

review by: kam2peace date: 2009-02-18 rating:
Not how I remember 1983
This is a brilliantly made film. The acting is good, the production and the sets are flawless and the directing by Shane Meadows is gritty and realistic and there are many wry and amusing moments. Unfortunately, the screenplay is very far from realistic. The film is about skinheads in 1983. In Shane Meadows bizarre 1980s nostalgia every town had friendly skinheads always there to lend a hand to anyone who was feeling picked on and help out with their fashion faux pas (as happens to Shaun, the main character in this film) and mothers would willingly let their young sons be part of their gangs (as the mother in this film does). But when Thatcher sent the British to war in Argentina it started a racist backlash against some recent immigrants. br / br /Well, I was a 13 year old pakistani growing up in London in 1983 and I can assure you that Shane Meadows has got it very wrong. From the middle of the 1970s, if you were brown skinned you would not go within spitting distance of a skinhead. If you saw one you would cross the road or just hide. Racism was prevalent (though maybe not universal) and open amongst skinheads long before the Falklands war. br / br /But the story is actually even worse than that. Shane Meadows will also have you believe that even the most repulsively violent of skinheads, like Combo in this film, is actually deep down a loyal sensitive type, who only turns to fascism because he feels let down and betrayed by the government and by his father. Many of you will probably detect here a very heavy debt to Pink Floyd's the Wall but whereas that great piece of music told a story over 10-15 years and was believable, there is very little in this "one week in the life of" film that is. Much of the plot, and indeed the climax itself, involves explaining how when people let you down you get a bit upset. There is a long stretch from there to fascism and a longer one to violent racism. The screenplay attempts to simply skip over that in the space of a week's events, but I do not think that is possible and I think most people will notice the yawning gap in the explanation of the motivations of the characters. br / br /If you take this film as an alternative reality of what skinheads could have been like if they didn't mindlessly hate pakistanis, and the particular descent into fascism of an uncommonly sensitive skinhead called Combo who has been let down a lot then this is an interesting, albeit basic, portrait and a well made film. But for me, this requires more suspension of disbelief than Harry Potter. I would not recommend this film.

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review by: the special one date: 2008-12-01 rating:
This film changed my life! No messin'
Well. In a word. 'Phew'. br /I was left almost catatonic by this film, and at the end was left almost gasping for breath. I'm not a film buff. Most seem contrived and one can tell what's coming from a mile off. And you can in this film too. br / br /But the build-up is so wonderfully crafted as to almost make you forget. I spent the first 30m laughing my socks off, singing along with the soundtrack and generally frolicking in the early 80's against a backdrop of broken homes, windows and general deprivation. Then you get a tiny (and i mean tiny) event that starts your heart racing, as the inevitable becomes clear. From hear it's a heart-wrenching descnet into racism and darkness. br / br /But somehow you leave the experience with an idea of why people become racists, and to some extent (whilst not condoning it at all), can see why it happens. It's reassuring to see the idea that a bully is a bully, whether his victim is racially motivated or not, writ large. It shows beautifully the human side of what we too easilly see as 'evil', and how deprivation, lack of status and self-esteem can lead a man to do things he'd never do if he weren't so full of pent-up anger and resentment. br / br /If you like films that make you feel, then this is for you. But be prepared to feel the whole range. From giddy highs, to desperate, heart-breaking lows. This has it all. Best film EVER! br / br /ps. I want a checked shirt and some braces. But reckon I can do without the BNP and all that shouty, white-man agro ;P

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review by: date: 2008-10-14 rating:
solid movie
This Is England [2006]First, I have to say any film that isn't your typical US dross gets 5 stars from me. br / br /The casting is here is brilliant, especially in the form of Combo (Stephen Graham) who is mesmirising. Similary Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) is really convincing as a boy corrupted by misguided jingoism. br / br /The supporting cast are also superb in particular the striking Lol (Vicky McClure) and it is a shame they are not given more on screen time. br / br /The setting evokes grey suburban Britain in all its misery and glory. The film start of with images of of 80s Britain and some of the scenes are heart warmingly familiar for example the scenes in Shaun's school are like flashbacks to your own school days, well if your old enough! br / br /The soundtrack has all the usual suspects you would expect (The Specials, Soft Cell etc) and others that might not be so well known. The selection of music at certain parts of the film are very sensitively chosen and compliment the emotions Shane Meadows is trying to convey perfectly. br / br /The film is a good lenght and flows naturally. Thankfully there are no gimmicks employed as far as the plot progression is concerned. The story begins with a basic premise and is played out. There aren't any embarrassing freeze frames, titles telling you the names of the characters or cheesy one liners. The method of story telling is very traditional. br / br /The main characters, Combo and Shaun are intriguing leads. Combo in effect is everything Shaun is in danger of growing up to be and Woody (Joe Gilgun) is everything Shaun could be, kind, funny and loyal. Combo is initially presented as a strong man, a force that easily overwhelms Woody's band of friends. During the course of the film his character is exposed as being emotionally weak and damaged. In a number of fascinating scenes you get an insight into Combo's physchological mindframe. He is a complex character and the film slowly reveals the real reasons behind his racist views. He goes from being a hated character to one you pity by the end of the film. Shaun's character starts off as somebody who appears weak, we know he has lost his father in the Falklands War and he is ridiculed in school. However, he grows in confidence as the skinhead identity provides him with sense of belonging and gives meaning to his life. Acquiring the skinhead identity gives him a haircut to sport, a uniform to wear, music to listen to and people that he can openly admit he cares about. br / br /The main themes of the film, apart from the obvious (skinhead culture, nationalism, the economic turmoil of the 80s, immigration) are friendship, reciprocated and unrequited love, broken families, respect, power, envy and disillusion. br / br /In all I have to say if you buy this film you will not regret spending money on it.

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review by: date: 2008-09-21 rating:
The Falklands Factor
It seems like only yesterday since the Falklands War transformed the fortunes of Margaret Thatcher and the Tories from being universally despised monetarist fanatics to those of principled,populist ,courageous war leaders."This is England" is set in the immediate aftermath of Thatcher's first landslide election victory in the summer of 1983 amongst a band of lumpen proletarian skinheads living in a rough council estate. It focuses on the activities of a young 12 year old boy ,Shaun,whose father was killed in the Falklands. Unpopular and poor, Shaun is adopted by an older crowd of relatively peaceful,apolitical skinheads and he runs with their rowdy gang. However a psychotic, right wing skinhead ,Combo, returns to claim leadership of the group after a spell in prison and his confused, demagogic rants draws several of the group into an anti-immigrant, pro-National Front gang. Shaun falls under Combo's sway ,but a shocking act of violence belatedly brings him back to his senses. There is some good acting and characterisation in this film, but I failed to see what point it was trying to make bar an obvious attack on the evil that can emanate from extreme nationalism and a desire for the audience to embrace the principles of multi culturalism.Isn't it funny how cultural and ethnic nationalism and patriotism have now almost become dirty words as the forces behind globalisation attempt to turn the planet into one huge melting pot, softened up to accept a multi cultural but elitist and tyrannical world government.


review by: dizzstev40 date: 2008-09-18 rating:
Well acted
This film isn't the masterpiece some people claim it is. The best thing about it is the acting. Young Thomas Turgoose is terrific as the 12year old lad recruited into a group of likeable skinheads after being bullied at school. And Stephen Graham as Combo is frighteningly real as a dangerous racist returning from prison who firstly splits, then alienates the group. However, good acting aside, the movie soon loses its way after an entertaining start. Too many potentially interesting storylines are introduced only to be discarded or not fully explored - the screenplay's just not strong enough. There's also an over-reliance on predictable symbolism a misguided attempt to equate the NF with the re-taking of the Falklands, which was lost on me. However, in the final scenes the real reasons for Combo's 'racial' prejudice are slowly and skilfully revealed, which wrongfoots the viewer into (almost)sympathising with him. What reasons would they be? You'll have to see the movie to work it out. It cleverly shows that, as with most bigots, their hatred often has its roots elesewhere. Harrowing stuff but worth watching. br /

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