Orban Wallace's documentary 'Our Land' examines the right-to-roam movement, focusing on a campaign group with a straightforward and reasonable objective: to grant walkers in England and Wales the same access rights enjoyed in Scotland under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, established by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act of 2003. In Scotland, individuals have the right to temporary, non-motorised access—meaning walking, cycling, and camping, conducted responsibly—across most land, whether public or private. These rights have existed for some time without the predicted catastrophic end to the countryside.
Landowners and Campaigners
The film features interviews with various landowners, including Francis Fulford, a media-favored outspoken reactionary toff akin to a posh version of Viz Comic's Farmer Palmer, snarling 'Get off my land.' Other landowners, like Hugh Inge-Innes-Lillingston, who cheerfully acknowledges the absurdity of his name, are more open to developing new ideas about managed access. Regarding profiteering, the film recalls Tara Palmer-Tomkinson's remark: 'Land doesn't really bring in a lot of money until they build a motorway through it.'
Bacchanalian Protests and Missing Clashes
The opposition includes bacchanalian incursions featuring morris dancers and people frolicking in Wicker Man outfits. Throughout the film, viewers anticipate a flashpoint—a clash between heroic trespassers and wicked landowners—but none occurs. Perhaps landowners saw the cameras and prudently avoided confrontation. Alternatively, if Wallace had desired such a scene, he could have used concealed cameras to seek out a confrontation.
Wide-Ranging Exploration
This film spans many ideas, with some moments more pertinent than others. Pheasant shoots, for instance, hold a hate-watch fascination for many but are arguably irrelevant compared to issues of large-scale agribusiness, which is not heavily emphasized here. As for accepted footpaths, these are concessions that have had to be insisted upon. Ramblers are justified in maintaining pressure, and the take-home message is clear: opening up the glories of the countryside and nature to everyone is a universal good.
'Our Land' is in UK and Irish cinemas from 8 May.
