During the last decades the political film seems to be in decline and the few notable exceptions (if they can be labeled as political films) seem to search for heroes in the palaces of power. In such a context "Peterloo" comes as a surprise, and it doesn't disappoint.
Except for their treatment of John Hobhouse (and maybe the participation of a Quacker preacher among the "black" flock), the makers of "Peterloo" have been accurate even in the slightest details. Henry Hunt, the magistrates, Oliver the Spy, even the banners are portrated with accuracy and care. There has been some criticism against the film, the claim that it is "two dimensional" in the typical Holywood kind of a clash between the "good" and "bad". Well, if one should accuse Mike Leigh for something, that should be for not protecting the viewer from historical reality, by portraying the facts in a more believable way. Regency England though, has not be called "Age of Despare" for nothing and Shelley didn't write "The Mask of Anarchy" out of his mind.
We, the people of 21st century, cannot comprehend that such hypocrisy, inhumanity and cruelness ever existed, but it really did. In the first trial of the people who attended the meeting, the judge commented: "I believe you are a downright blackguard reformer. Some of you reformers ought to be hanged, and some of you are sure to be hanged - the rope is already round your necks."
Do watch Peterloo, at least for the sake of History and Republic.
Except for their treatment of John Hobhouse (and maybe the participation of a Quacker preacher among the "black" flock), the makers of "Peterloo" have been accurate even in the slightest details. Henry Hunt, the magistrates, Oliver the Spy, even the banners are portrated with accuracy and care. There has been some criticism against the film, the claim that it is "two dimensional" in the typical Holywood kind of a clash between the "good" and "bad". Well, if one should accuse Mike Leigh for something, that should be for not protecting the viewer from historical reality, by portraying the facts in a more believable way. Regency England though, has not be called "Age of Despare" for nothing and Shelley didn't write "The Mask of Anarchy" out of his mind.
We, the people of 21st century, cannot comprehend that such hypocrisy, inhumanity and cruelness ever existed, but it really did. In the first trial of the people who attended the meeting, the judge commented: "I believe you are a downright blackguard reformer. Some of you reformers ought to be hanged, and some of you are sure to be hanged - the rope is already round your necks."
Do watch Peterloo, at least for the sake of History and Republic.