By Ben Thompson
Most students currently studying history will have heard of much the upcoming anniversary of the Peterloo massacre. Unfortunately, many people might be unaware of the history, or even dismiss it as irrelevant to modern life. In Mike Leigh’s historical drama, the nearly 200 year old tragedy is made to feel as relevant as ever.
The film follows the struggle of the northern working class in 1819 England. At this time, they were left without a vote, without representation in Parliament, and were subjected to squalor and extreme poverty.
Throughout the film, you get a sense of the weight of their struggle. They feel powerless, yet remain determined to make their voices heard. This is inspiring to behold, not least because of the cast’s phenomenal performances.
Nineteenth century England is brought to life with the spectacular cinematography, which captures the untouched beauty of the Lancashire countryside and the gritty harshness of the battlefield that is St. Peter’s Fields. It’s almost surreal, in a sense – to know that such outrageous injustice took place in our very own city. It truly is a call to be politically active, for our own sake, and to honour those who raised their voices at Peterloo.
The film is easily digestible for non-history buffs, but it is by no means easy watching. Some scenes will stick with you long after you leave the cinema, as, indeed, they should.
Featured image and gallery: Hoang Phan Notebooks were carried from one workshop to another. Writers from different generations sat around tables, sharing manuscripts and listening to each other. Outdoors, small groups strolled along Oxford Road, pausing before buildings steeped in literary history. This was the scene during the Manchester Writing School Summer Festival 2026, held…
Featured image: Katja Ogrin With many sore heads and limbs this morning after the most hardcore day of the festival taking place yesterday, many are recovering from the moshing and pit brutality of the previous day’s antics. As the tradition of a morning movie in the Serpents Lair prevails, the crowd sprawls out onto the plush,…
Featured image: Abbi Draper After an electrifying start to the weekend, with temperatures slowly climbing, many lather themselves in suncream, shed their band shirts and rise from their tents to trek towards the arena. Saturday has big things incoming for the humans of Bloodstock 2026. Some pace themselves for the day and hide from the early…
Featured image: Abbi Draper After a memorable Thursday opener, Bloodstock 2026 opens its gates once again onto the Hallowed Grounds of Catton Park, kicking off day two of its 25th-anniversary celebration of metal. As the sun rises on Catton Park, festivalgoers emerge from their tents to prepare for another day of mayhem. The morning brings…
Leave a reply