Brassed Off

Brassed Off (1996) is a British film written and directed by Mark Herman. The film is very dark comedy about the troubles faced by a colliery brass band, following the closure of their pit. The soundtrack for the film was provided by The Grimethorpe Colliery Band, and the plot is based on Grimethorpe's own struggles against pit closures. The film is scoffed at by some in the brass band world, but is generally very positively received for its role in promoting brass bands and their music.

Related Topics:
British film - Mark Herman - Colliery - The Grimethorpe Colliery Band

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The film stars Pete Postlethwaite, Tara Fitzgerald and Ewan McGregor. The film was well-received as a comedy, and by some as a political statement about the state of traditional coal mining communities in Britain. Released shortly before the 1997 UK general election which removed the Conservative government of the past 18 years, it was a timely and accessible piece of propaganda. The film has also become an infamous example of how not to imitate the Yorkshire dialect and accent. The only accents in the film that were close to accurate were those of Stephen Tompkinson and a few minor characters.

Related Topics:
Pete Postlethwaite - Tara Fitzgerald - Ewan McGregor - 1997 UK general election - Conservative government - Propaganda - Yorkshire dialect and accent - Stephen Tompkinson

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The film was particuarly well-received in former mining communities, who felt it accurately reflected the suffering they faced due to the attack on their industry by the Thatcher government.

Related Topics:
Mining communities - Thatcher

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