Brassed Off (1996)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Mark Herman

Writer:

Mark Herman (writer)

Release Date:

23 May 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance | Music

Tagline:

Fed up with the system. Ticked off at the establishment. And mad about... each other.

Plot:

The coal mine in a northern English village may be closing, which would also mean the end of the miners' brass band.

Plot Keywords:

Brass Band | Miner | Competition | Mining | Coal Mine

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 10 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Pete Postlethwaite	...	Danny
Tara Fitzgerald	...	Gloria
Ewan McGregor	...	Andy
Stephen Tompkinson	...	Phil
Jim Carter	...	Harry
Philip Jackson	...	Jim
Peter Martin	...	Ernie
Sue Johnston	...	Vera
Mary Healey	...	Ida
Melanie Hill	...	Sandra
Lill Roughley	...	Rita
Peter Gunn	...	Simmo
Stephen Moore	...	McKenzie
Kenneth Colley	...	Greasley (as Ken Colley)
Olga Grahame	...	Mrs. Foggan

Also Known As:

Brassed Off! (USA) (poster title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

Iceland:L | Canada:14A (Ontario) | South Korea:15 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-8 | Germany:12 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England, UK

Company:

Channel Four Films

Trivia:

The advertising slogan on the back of the coach that the band use reads: "Arkwright Travel - New York, London, Paris & Grimley - But mainly Grimley".

Quotes:

Nurse: Is this man bothering you?
Phil: 'Course he is. He's me dad.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Long Way Round" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Clog Dance

Almost perfect

I have seen Brassed Off many times, I do in fact own it, and every time I watch it it never fails to move me. There are certain moments that stick out to me as either breath taking or harrowing.

1) That famous 'Concierto d'Aranguez' scene. The first time I saw this scene it took my breath away, literally. When used well music can move you in a way words can't. The juxtaposing of this piece of music against the union's meeting is one of them. I haven't been this moved by a piece of music with actions since then apart from the Roxan sequence in Moulin Rouge.

2) The scene where Phil loses it when playing Mr Chuckles I actually can't sit through. I have to fast forward because the emotion the Stephen Tompkinson manages to portray is so strong it's painful to watch.

Through all of this though I think my favorite scene, the aforementioned 1) excluded, is when they compete in all 14 tournaments and get completely rat arsed. The sight of these brilliant musicians trying to continue playing when they can't see straight, stop laughing, or keep their instruments in one piece is one of the most honest, amusing and humble moments in a film in recent years. there is no flashy camera work, no deeper meaning, just something that says exactly who these people are. Ordinary human beings, not super-heros, and just trying to live life whilst having fun in difficult circumstances. And you really can't play wind instruments drunk, I've tried.

The film is not perfect. It is a bit preachy, especially the end. And McGregor's accent, although he plays the part beautifully, does slip at time, especially in his longer speeches. But the humanity of the film and it's charm out way all of it's faults.