Peterloo
The story of the 1819 Peterloo Massacre where British forces attacked a peaceful pro-democracy rally in Manchester.
Director:
Mike Leigh
Cast:
Rory Kinnear, Maxine Peake, Neil Bell
Screenplay:
Mike Leigh
Screening Date:
Mar 30, 2019
Studio:
Film4 Productions
Running Time:
2h 34min
| Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21.7% | 26.0% | 19.5% | 28.2% | 4.3% |
“Mike Leigh is brilliant. Sounds so familiar today!”
“A Mike Leigh masterpiece!”
“Mike Leigh has an eye like no other. He can create a time period where we are transported by sound as well as images. I only wish there was something said at the end to let you know the numbers of people killed in the massacre of the results of the reform movement. What happens to Hunt? Where does Leigh get these people, those faces are incredible! It really puts a perspective on the aristocracy!”
“Too long!”
“This is a truly remarkable film.”
“Kent State of the 1800’s!”
“A lot to like about this film. Important to reveal a piece of history that has been under reported. Excellent performances. Clear exposition of the many players and points of view. Masterly recreations in setting and costumes. On the other hand, too long and too talky, too abrupt an ending. I longed for some end credits that gave some statistics and context and what happened next? Bring back Emily and her wild nights!”
“A long journey for a disappointing result.”
“The Brits are ugly to - and with - each other and spread their ugly behavior around the world. Good luck”
“Excellent rendering of history, though too long of a film.”
“Too long but well written. I can see why Mike Leigh wanted to tell this story. Amazon Studios should have made this as a 4 or 6-part series to watch. Clearly shows the attitudes of the Ruling Classes toward the people they oppressed but that was the DIVINE RIGHT attitude until the revolutions overthrew that despotism. Even though it was so long I’m glad to have learned about this period of time.”
“Too many people to keep track of, too many plots going on, too many minutes. This had the elements of a good film. The makers respected the history and the story but not the audience.”
“A most visually beautiful film. The use of shadows, light and half-illuminated faces are the most beautiful paintings. The movie was too long.”
“Great to know yet too painful. History repeats!”
“Very good film making. Cinematically beautiful. Story shows human nature is a constant. Very PBS/BBC. Depressing because it has elements of today’s truth, no one wants to hear it. Power to the press! The journalists survived.”
“Well done film, however it was full of heavy-handed speeches. The script really plays to the audience.”
“Good story but too long.”
“Too slow, tedious. Important story, but poorly represented. Amazing shots of old England and excellent acting.”
If you'd like to know more about the film...
https://www.historyextra.com/period/georgian/qa-why-were-there-so-few-ca... Why were there so few casualties at Peterloo?
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/jan/04/peterloo-massacre-bloody-cl... The bloody clash that changed Britain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXh6_Y79Vb4 Maxine Peake: Peterloo touches on themes that are still relevant today
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-45563005 Peterloo: The man who ordered a massacre
