Rent Peterloo (2018)

3.1 of 5 from 610 ratings
2h 27min
Rent Peterloo Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
  • General info
  • Available formats
Synopsis:
From acclaimed director Mike Leigh comes this epic portrayal of events surrounding the infamous 1819 'Peterloo Massacre' in Manchester, when armed government forces charged into a crowd of 60,000 peaceful protesters who were desperate for greater democracy and improved working conditions. Featuring stellar performances from Maxine Peake and Rory Kinnear, 'Peterloo' is an explosively visceral retelling of a defining moment in British history.
Actors:
, , , , , , , Simona Bitmate, , , , , , , , , , , ,
Directors:
Producers:
Georgina Lowe
Writers:
Mike Leigh
Studio:
EntertainmentOne
Genres:
Drama
Collections:
2019, CinemaParadiso.co.uk Through Time, Drama Films & TV, Historical British Prime Ministers On Screen, Top 10 Films and Shows About British Princes
BBFC:
Release Date:
11/03/2019
Run Time:
147 minutes
Languages:
English Audio Description, English Dolby Digital 2.0, English Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:
English Hard of Hearing
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.85:1
Colour:
Colour
Bonus:
  • Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Mike Leigh
  • Featurettes: 'Life in the Details'; 'From Waterloo to Peterloo' and 'Working with Mike Leigh'
BBFC:
Release Date:
11/03/2019
Run Time:
154 minutes
Languages:
English Audio Description, English DTS 2.0, English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Subtitles:
English Hard of Hearing
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.85:1
Colour:
Colour
BLU-RAY Regions:
B
Bonus:
  • Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Mike Leigh
  • Featurettes: 'Life in the Details'; 'From Waterloo to Peterloo' and 'Working with Mike Leigh'

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Reviews (25) of Peterloo

A Story that Needed to be Told - Peterloo review by PS

Spoiler Alert
14/11/2018

If you've never heard of Peterloo this is a very good place to start. It is a very thoughtful and well produced film which has a lot of authentice touches. As it's a certificate 12 it is suitable for young people, though it is a trifle over-long and the long scenes of speeches at the beginning were rather didactic and may be off-putting to younger audiences. Otherwise, well worth seeing.

8 out of 8 members found this review helpful.

Boring - Peterloo review by LH

Spoiler Alert
29/11/2018

I love the story of Peterloo! I love radical history, I didn’t not love this film. Made a fascinating story very boring. So upset. Mike Leigh makes films that lack interest for me in general.

7 out of 11 members found this review helpful.

Another socialist manifesto - Peterloo review by Alphaville

Spoiler Alert
16/03/2019

This is basically another socialist diatribe from director Mike Leigh, full of tell-don’t-show speechifying in place of character and plot. He has previous. Watch with scepticism. “Liberty or death,” chant the crowd. The suffrage meeting in Manchester 1819 was certainly so poorly policed by the cavalry that it caused a disaster, but this is for the indoctrinated only.

3 out of 20 members found this review helpful.

Critic review

Peterloo review by Mark McPherson - Cinema Paradiso

Peterloo is intentionally drawn out to over two hours to show the slow but inevitable rise of a people betrayed by their government. A lot of films might trim down such a progression to speed things along and keep the film under those two hours. But director Mike Leigh takes his time to showcase the grind of bitterness and assembly that soon burned into the tragic assembly of those who wanted changes. And, wow, does that climax sting so well.

The date in question for the climax is August 16, 1819. On this date, some 60,000 citizens assembled in St Peter’s Fields for demands of reform and voting rights. What started as a peaceful protest quickly spun out of control into a violent scuffle between citizens and military that left some dead and many more injured. Reform would ultimately come, as would the formation of the Manchester Guardian, but only after many more years of political unrest. And, yes, it’s quite the sight for such an epic scene of vicious guards on horses swiping with swords at the populace as they arrest the leader of the protest.

But the film will take its time getting to this point by starting at the relatable opening scene of the Battle of Waterloo just after the battle is over. We see the chaos that had unfolded and Joseph stumbles home from the war traumatized after serving in Duke of Wellington's army. The Manchester he returns to with his family is one of poverty. Economic depression is not only affecting him but everyone around their town. Meanwhile, the government does nothing. Political meetings are made and groups are formed. And when it becomes clear that nothing of value will be changed by the government itself, Joshua can pretty much fathom what must come next.

Leigh’s film comes with an operatic assembly where the period is established with elaborate costumes and settings with hundreds of people assembled. Characters speak in big and powerful monologues, mostly playing to a crowd of people to make sure all can hear their ideas across the land. This gives the film more of the appearance of a stage play and a mighty fine one at that. Great proclomations are made with astounding vigor and voice with passionate performances from the likes of David Bamber, Neil Bell, and Marion Bailey. They keep up the historical wonderment of depicting civil unrest quickly brewing to carry us through the many hours of this production before the centerpiece of the massacre takes place.

Peterloo ends on an abrupt note but still an important one. In the last few scenes after the massacre, we see the politicans snickerly and sternly state that order will be maintained and that they know what is best for the people. Cut to the people burying their dead with a prayer and an amen. Reform would come but not for many years after and several never got to see that day. It’s important to end on this note to showcase how hopeless a revolution can seem but how necessary it must be. The decay of order is most present in how the film is seen as a bit of a palindrone, where it begins with violence and ends with violence. The difference is that one was fought with soldiers and the other with unarmed citizens, an act of civil protest that would be an important for years to come in the battle of justice and order. That stirring nature is what makes Peterloo such an engrossing experience.

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