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 & 6 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:

massacre | 1810s | political repression | protest | 

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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

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 April 2019 (USA)

Also Known As:

Peterloo

Filming Locations:

Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

BFI Film Fund, Film4, Thin Man Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

154 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tim McInnerny is the second 'Blackadder' actor to take on the role of the Prince Regent. The first being Hugh Laurie in Black Adder the Third (1987).

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Goofs

The lettering on the mail coach is in Gill Sans, a typeface designed in 1926.

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Connections

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

User Reviews

Educational, powerful, beautiful!

If I have a criticism of this film, it would be that it's half an hour too long. Mike can be a bit self indulgent, there where a few scenes that were just there for colour. Technically accomplished, well acted, and faithfully accurate to the history. If you like social history you will not be disappointed.