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Brassed off

Threat advisory: High - High risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

When the going gets tough, the tough get blowing.

Set against the backdrop of the controversial mining pit closure program of 1992-93, Brassed off is the tale of a spirited group of Yorkshire men, all members of a local brass band, and the beautiful and talented woman who walks into their world - attracting a whole lot more than just musical admiration. In time, the band embarks on the competitive circuit, even as the threat of mine closure hangs heavy in the air. Conflicts soon begin to surface between friends, family, colleagues and lovers. The result is a moving and fitting tribute to the defiant spirit of a small community.

Starring Pete Postlethwaite as Danny Ormondroyd, Tara Fitzgerald as Gloria Mullins, Ewan McGregor as Andy Barrow, Stephen Tompkinson as Phil Ormondroyd, Jim Carter as Harry, Philip Jackson as Jim, Peter Martin as Ernie, Sue Johnston as Vera, Mary Healey as Ida, Melanie Hill as Sandra Ormondroyd, Lill Roughley as Rita, Peter Gunn as Simmo and Stephen Moore as Mackenzie. Written and directed by Mark Herman. inspired by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band.

Cinematic intelligence sources

Studios and distributors:

Miramax * Magna Pacific

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

Would you believe it? I discovered a hidden passion for brass band music. Well, for 107 minutes, anyway.

Although the script is as obvious as an arts graduate heading for Centrelink, this film still manages a few weepy moments. The good thing is that it's about blokes doing blokey things (although being in a brass band is dubious and the shower scene gave me pause, but they're English, so they don't have to be real blokes). This means that all good blokes in the audience will be allowed to have a little sniffle because it's all blokey.

A bit like Coronation Street hits the big screen (don't be scared off by that) but with Yorkshire accents and brass bands (don't be scared off by that either). Something for the more mature, blue collar, soapie kind of viewer.

Ewan keeps his clothes on and does nothing harder than a few pints, but what he does, he does well. He's not the star, but he was the only one I recognised (apart from the guy who played Ken on Coro Street and his character isn't very important).