Director: Mark Hermon
Starring: Pete Postlethwaite, Tara Fitzgerald, Ewan McGregor, Stephen Tompkinson
Related Links
Brassed Off - IMDB
Merchandise Links
Buy the video (PAL format)
Buy
the dvd
|
|
Just how good can a film about a brass band be? Although there's only so much you can do with shots of people playing the trumpet (sorry, euphonium), Mark Herman's tale of a Yorkshire colliery brass band is surprisingly original, funny and moving
Pete Postlethwaite is brilliant as conductor Danny struggling to keep his band together through pit closure, disillusionment and his own collapse from pneumoconiosis - the price paid for nearly half a decade down the mines - and reach the national brass band championships in London. Ewan McGregor plays band member Andy who is besotted by his childhood sweetheart Gloria (Tara Fitzgerald) whose re-appearance and talent (in more ways than one) galvanises the band. While Fitzgerald's character is underdeveloped for the crucial part she plays in the plot, she is a fine foil to McGregor's cynical anti-hero. But the most affecting performance comes from Stephen Tompkinson (Drop the Dead Donkey) in his film debut as Danny's unlucky son, Phil.
Much of the humour and pathos found in Brassed Off is delivered through visual puns: as two women natter across the back fence, behind one of them is a strategically placed pair of enormous support bras; at an all-time low, Phil dons his "Mr Chuckles" clown outfit in hope of making a few extra bob at a children's party. It's subtle, but works all the better for it.
Perhaps director Herman best sums his film up: "One of the difficult things about Brassed Off is the category to place it in. It's not a comedy, rtragedy, or a musical. A bit of all three, perhaps - and then some more." Indeed, much more.
Reviewed by Monika Maurer
Reader comments about Brassed Off
Toby Wollin (Email address withheld) writes:
This film deserved so much better play than it got in the states. It is utterly shameless in terms of how it tugs your heart (any film that uses "Danny Boy" and "William Tell Overture" in it is laying it on a bit thick, I should think), but it is a wonderful film, filled with terrific, affecting performances and probably the best score heard on film in a long time. Not a film for watching round the telly with the kids (unless you have the time and inclination to explain topics such as lung disease, coal mining and the Margaret Thatcher closures, divorce, suicide, and industrial union battles), but an important film. Get the film score on CD or tape to play for the kids (wonderful stuff) -- watch the film yourself, and save it for the kids when they are 14 or 15 or so, because it is an important film for everyone to watch.
david johnson (davidelejohnson@ntlworld.com) writes:
from start to finnish it had a little bit of everything, most films dont have a little of anything. laugh ,cry,feel happy or sad, it has the lot, even a bit of that would cheese me off, if it happened to me, 10 out of 10,pete poss was fantastic so were the rest of the cast
dave w (dwilliams@digitalgateway.com) writes:
watced it again tonight. Another great Brit movie with good characters, moving story and a lightly comic but mainly heart wrenching finale. My soccer playing friend summed up the degree of emotion it stirred when in a broad Manchester accent he told his good lady wife "don't look at me Sherry I'm cryin'!". A real keeper
Graham Pinder (gcpinder@yahoo.co.uk) writes:
Excellent movie in all respects. Good human interest content,accurately portrays the moods and emotions of a community living in the shadow of impending pit closure and subsequent loss of livelyhood. Makes a strong pollitical staement in the process.
jacky mckenna (Email address withheld) writes:
as an ex miner who went through the trauma of the thatcher years and a colliery brass band player I can appreciate the realistic side to this film.
Tine (Email address withheld) writes:
ich hoffe mal hier kann jemand von euch deutsch.wir gucken brassed off gerade im englischunterricht und ich muss sagen, dass ich wirklich sehr viel von dem film verstehe...
Barrie Blayney (barrie.b@ntlworld.com) writes:
I lived through the miners' strike, although on the edge, in Leeds. All I knew was that which I saw on the television. However, the film 'Brassed Off' gave me a different perspective. It funny, it was sad, it was realistic and it was highly watchable. But best of all - the music. The characters were great - all well played - but the band was the star.
Add your comments about Brassed Off [About]
|
