Peterloo (2018)

The story of the 1819 Peterloo Massacre where British forces attacked a peaceful pro-democracy rally in Manchester.

Director:

Mike Leigh

Writer:

Mike Leigh

Stars:

Rory Kinnear, Maxine Peake, Neil Bell

2 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rory Kinnear	...	Henry Hunt
Maxine Peake	...	Nellie
Pearce Quigley	...	Joshua
David Moorst	...	Joseph
Rachel Finnegan	...	Mary
Tom Meredith	...	Robert
Simona Bitmate	...	Esther
Robert Wilfort	...	Lord Liverpool, the Prime Minister
Karl Johnson	...	Lord Sidmouth, the Home Secretary
Sam Troughton	...	Mr. Hobhouse
Roger Sloman	...	Mr. Grout
Kenneth Hadley	...	Mr. Golightly
Tom Edward-Kane	...	Mr. Cobb
Lizzy McInnerny	...	Mrs. Moss
Alastair Mackenzie	...	General Sir John Byng

Storyline

An epic portrayal of the events surrounding the infamous 1819 Peterloo Massacre, where a peaceful pro-democracy rally at St Peter's Field in Manchester turned into one of the bloodiest and most notorious episodes in British history. The massacre saw British government forces charge into a crowd of over 60,000 that had gathered to demand political reform and protest against rising levels of poverty. Many protesters were killed and hundreds more injured, sparking a nationwide outcry but also further government suppression. The Peterloo Massacre was a defining moment in British democracy which also played a significant role in the founding of The Guardian newspaper.

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Plot Keywords:

manchester | year 1819 | rally | protest rally | prime minister | 

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for a sequence of violence and chaos

Did You Know?

Trivia

Production used the Tarred Yarn Store and the exterior of the Ropery to double as a Cotton Mill in Manchester at the Chatham Historic Dockyard in Kent. St Mary's Marshes on the Isle of Grain also appears in a short scene at the beginning of the film, when a lonely figure is seen walking along the marshes.

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Goofs

The young Waterloo veteran who continues to wear his redcoat during the film can be seen in one shot with Corporal stripes whereas the rest of the film his tunic is that of a Private.

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Quotes

Prince Regent: I know what is good for my people better than they know themselves!

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Connections

Referenced in Granada Reports: 17 October 2018: Evening Bulletin (2018)

User Reviews

The crimes of the ruling classes

Quite a long film, but it didn't drag. Tells the story well, but there are really no lead characters, and many of the characters are rather two-dimensional or even caricatures. Visually, it is excellent. I didn't know much about the Peterloo massacre before seeing the film. I now feel educated, and felt that it was two and a half hours well spent, although not a film without flaws. Stronger (more realistically human) characters could perhaps have made the film more engaging, but maybe telling the (hi)story was more important here.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 April 2019 (USA)

Also Known As:

Peterloo

Filming Locations:

Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$26,002, 7 April 2019

Gross USA:

$151,971

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,998,945

Company Credits

Production Co:

BFI Film Fund, Film4, Thin Man Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

154 min

Color:

Color Color (ACES)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1