Fans of British coming-of-age films can watch the classic drama This Is England on Amazon Prime Video. Released in 2006 and directed by Shane Meadows, the film stars Thomas Turgoose and Stephen Graham. It follows a young boy who loses his father in the Falklands War and becomes involved with a gang of skinheads, eventually falling under the influence of a racist ex-convict.
A story set in 1983 England
The film's synopsis reads: 'Shaun (Thomas Turgoose), who lost his father in the Falklands War, earns the respect of skinheads when he stands up to their teasing. He becomes part of the gang and enjoys hanging out with his new friends. Trouble starts with the return of Combo (Stephen Graham), a racist ex-convict. With the gang divided into two factions, Shaun sides with Combo and, unfortunately, finds in him a father figure.' The ensemble cast also includes Jo Hartley, Joe Gilgun, Vicky McClure, Andrew Shim, Rosamund Hanson, Jack O'Connell, Chanel Cresswell, Perry Benson, Michael Socha, and Frank Harper.
Critical acclaim and legacy
This Is England holds a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The critics' consensus states: 'A moving coming-of-age tale that captures the despair among England's working-class youth in the 1980s.' The film grossed £5 million at the box office and led to three sequel TV series: This Is England '86 (2010), This Is England '88 (2011), and This Is England '90 (2015).
What fans are saying
One viewer said: 'A tough, heartbreaking coming-of-age story. A tough study on the indoctrination of youth into cult politics based on ignorance and prejudice. The kind of numb-minded hatred even more familiar in 2022. A film about a hateful, dumb and lazy white fringe who feel hard done by. A National Front who want handouts but resent them going elsewhere. And it still manages to be poignant and heartfelt. Magnificent lead performances.'
Another added: 'At times it felt like I wasn't watching a movie but rather real people. This style of storytelling won't be for everyone, but I still enjoyed it a lot, especially for someone who grew up in the U.S. and his lived here their whole life.' A third wrote: 'Great cast, feels real, awesome soundtrack, you must watch the TV show from the same director, cast and continuation of the movie story. Rough, funny, stressful, a real experience.'
This Is England is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
