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      Comrades

      Released Sep 15, 1987 2 hr. 40 min. History Drama List
      Reviews 71% 100+ Ratings Audience Score In 1834, in the farming town of Tolpuddle, England, heartless landowner James Frampton (Robert Stevens) forces his impoverished laborers to work under harsh conditions and for long hours. The workers, under the leadership of minister George Loveless (Robin Soans) and organizer Mr. Pitt (Michael Hordern), establish a labor union to negotiate for fairer wages. Trouble ensues when their salaries are slashed in retaliation, and Loveless and Pitt stage a walk out. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member Interesting, but quite long. Loved the beautiful shots of Dorset countryside and the rousing speech at the end. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member slow paced 3 hour long film which was very disappointing despite a strong cast. A lot of unnecessary scenes really drag this out. Could have, should have been a whole lot better than this Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/10/23 Full Review Audience Member Ponderous at the beginning but beautifully shot Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member 3 Hours that dragged considerably. No doubt an important story but the characterisation is poor and frustratingly key points to the plot are carried out off screen. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Bill Douglas tells the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, agricultural labourers deported to Australia for forming a union in the 1830s. Unions were not illegal at this point, so they were prosecuted under an obscure and little-used law that prohibited the swearing of oaths. Thematically, this is similar to Kevin Brownlow's Winstanley; it's a tale of ordinary workers crushed by the system they begin to question. However, Douglas' film benefits from greater production values (or at least better use of the money) and a terrific cast, some of whom would go on to achieve greater recognition. Others, such as James Fox, Freddie Jones, Vanessa Redgrave and Michael Hordern were already well-established. At three hours long, it's not for those with short attention spans, but it doesn't feel overly long, and a lot of ground is covered. The film deals with the situation from the beginnings of the workers' resentment to their lives as convicts in Australia. This is a fascinating film, and a welcome reminder of the sacrifices made in the past to ensure some of the freedoms we enjoy today. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Slow, and probably unnecessarily long, however there's more time for a sincere representation of life and hardship. It's hard not to sympathise with the Martyrs' in what is an intriguing true story. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (3) Critics Reviews
      Jason Best Movie Talk Douglas wasn't afraid of going against the naturalist grain, placing himself closer in scope and sympathy to the cinema of continental Europe than to British social realism. Nov 22, 2020 Full Review Hilary Mantel The Spectator Three hours of battering with dogma. Aug 31, 2018 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews A remarkable epic film by Bill Douglas. Rated: A- May 19, 2012 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis In 1834, in the farming town of Tolpuddle, England, heartless landowner James Frampton (Robert Stevens) forces his impoverished laborers to work under harsh conditions and for long hours. The workers, under the leadership of minister George Loveless (Robin Soans) and organizer Mr. Pitt (Michael Hordern), establish a labor union to negotiate for fairer wages. Trouble ensues when their salaries are slashed in retaliation, and Loveless and Pitt stage a walk out.
      Director
      Bill Douglas
      Screenwriter
      Bill Douglas
      Distributor
      Gavin Films
      Production Co
      National Film Finance Corporation, Skreba Films
      Genre
      History, Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Sep 15, 1987, Original
      Sound Mix
      Dolby