Brassed Off (1996)
On the brink of the clocks changing and stormy weather outside, we sat down to discuss Brassed Off (1996), Mark Herman’s comedy drama. Much acclaimed, it is 85th on BFI’s list of the best 100 British films.
Several people have told me Brassed Off is a favourite film and it’s easy to see why. Thirty years on, this story of a Yorkshire colliery and the potential closure of its local pit, still resonates. We can see its spirit in some other British films since, such as Pride (2014).
The cast is a Who’s Who of British actors, all looking (let’s admit it) very young indeed. Ewan McGregor, the innocent romantic lead, was described by the young and witty member of our discussion group as “looking like a foetus.”
The much-missed Pete Postlethwaite OBE impressed us all. His bandleader’s impassioned speech at the Royal Albert Hall, where he condemns the closure of the band’s local coal mine and the destruction of their working-class community, is powerful and iconic.
The story is based on the real-life struggles of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, which gives the message extra clout. They experienced devastating poverty, job losses and emotional issues with the closure of their pit. The band takes part in the film.
Our US participants gave us a glimpse of how America saw Margaret Thatcher and the closure of the mines; there was an impression that all of Britain loved their Prime Minister and that she was a great female role model. We felt that politically this was “a brave film to make, to be so direct.” We felt any swearing in it (effing) worked.
We “absolutely loved” Brassed Off and felt it was “totally brilliant.” The brass band music was “emotional” and camera angles, editing and casting “spot-on”. A great choice for the penultimate film of our season.
Anne
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