This Is England

"Run with the crowd, stand alone, you decide."

Apr 27 2007 Not Rated 1h 41m
Crime, Drama

A story about a troubled boy growing up in England, set in 1983. He comes across a few skinheads on his way home from school, after a fight. They become his new best friends, even like family. Based on experiences of director Shane Meadows.

Plot

This is England: Mods, New Romantics, and Skinheads are the major youth sub-cultures of this very English summer of 1983 and young 12-year-old Shaun is left wandering aimlessly alone and lost during the start of his school holidays, until his chance meeting with Woody and his fun and friendly Skinhead pack. Finding a new lease of life; girls, parties, Ben Sherman shirts, Doc Martin boots and shaven hairstyles young Shaun is welcomed, life during this summer holiday has got a whole lot better. That is until Combo arrives on the scene bitter, dangerous, racist, militant and psychotic life for young Shaun has just approached his first major crossroads. This is England is a look back at the early eighties of British working-class life through the eyes of young Shaun and his new gang, and dealing with the bitterness of outside influences such as racism and xenophobia, of mass unemployment and the fall out of the Falkland's War; Thatcher's Britain: Did we ever have it so good? When you see Shaun, ask Him.

Written by

Shane Meadows

Directed by

Shane Meadows

Production Countries

United Kingdom

Production Companies

Big Arty Productions, Screen Yorkshire, UK Film Council, EM Media

Languages

English

Awards

Won 1 BAFTA Award14 wins & 16 nominations total

Scores
# of Votes
133,481
Average Rating
7.7 out of 10
Metascore
86
Popularity
NA