DMovies - Your platform for thought-provoking cinema
Watch the very first trailer for Mike Leigh's latest film, about the epic historical moment in Manchester that led to the creation of the Guardian - in cinemas in November.

Four years after the release of the commercially and critically acclaimed Mr Turner, a dirty biopic of the radical painter JMW Turner, Mike Leigh returns with yet another very British film set in the early 19th century. The difference is that instead of investigating the life of a revolutionary figure, this time Leigh decided to portray a (equally revolutionary) historical event: the Peterloo Massacre.

The film is being marketed as “an epic portrayal of the events surrounding the infamous 1819 Peterloo Massacre, where a peaceful pro-democracy rally at St Peter’s Field in Manchester turned into one of the bloodiest and most notorious episodes in British history. The Massacre saw British government forces charge into a crowd of over 60,000 that had gathered to demand political reform and protest against rising levels of poverty.” The Peterloo Massacre was a defining moment in British democracy which also played a significant role in the founding of The Guardian newspaper.

Judging by the trailer, an historical epic with a message of “people have the power” is on its way. The Amazon Studios and eOne production has convincing costumes and special effects, and a conventional period drama look. The cast includes Rory Kinnear, Maxine Peake and Neil Bell, yet super stars are absent, suggesting perhaps that Leigh wants to emphasise the message of collective action ahead of big names.

Peterloo is in cinemas in November.


By DMovies' team - 24-07-2018

DMovies Poll

Are the Oscars dirty enough for DMovies?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Most Read

Sexual diversity is at the very heart of [Read More...]
Just a few years back, finding a film [Read More...]
Forget Friday the 13th, Paranormal Activity and the [Read More...]
A lot of British people would rather forget [Read More...]
Pigs might fly. And so Brexit might happen. [Read More...]
QUICK AND DIRTY: LIVE FROM TALLINN A candidate’s [Read More...]

Read More

Last Party

Nicolas Dozol
2024

Victoria Luxford - 06-11-2024

A graduation party takes some surreal turns in Nicolas Dozol ambitious and reflective drama - from the Chelsea Film Festival [Read More...]

On becoming an awkward film star

 

Marina Hillquist - 06-11-2024

Our writer Marina Hillquist shares some very practical tips on how to be a better film actor, while also embracing your inner awkwardness [Read More...]

Soundscapes that shaped Cinema

 

Mariano Garcia - 06-11-2024

Mariano Garcia discusses the art of crafting memorable film, while navigating the various layers of the sound production process [Read More...]