A seminal piece of British filmmaking is currently available to watch at no cost, offering viewers a chance to revisit a modern classic. Shane Meadows' 2006 drama 'This Is England' is streaming for free on Channel 4's on-demand service, featuring a career-defining performance from Stephen Graham.
A Landmark in British Cinema
Set in the East Midlands in 1983, the film follows young Shaun, portrayed by Thomas Turgoose, a bullied 13-year-old who finds a sense of belonging with a local skinhead group. His newfound camaraderie is shattered by the arrival of the menacing Combo, played by Stephen Graham. In stark contrast to the more benign characters Woody and Lol (Joseph Gilgun and Vicky McClure), Combo is a violent racist whose ideology leads the story into increasingly dark territory.
Upon its release, the film was met with widespread critical acclaim. It holds an impressive 93% positive score on Rotten Tomatoes from professional critics. Publications heaped praise on the production, with Common Sense Media labelling it 'one of the greatest films of the 21st century' and The New York Times describing it as 'nearly flawless'. Audience scores mirror this admiration, with a 90% positive rating on the platform's 'Popcornmeter'.
From Film to Television Phenomenon
The impact of 'This Is England' extended far beyond the cinema. The powerful narrative spawned three sequel television miniseries, which continued the characters' stories in 1986, 1988, and 1990. These follow-ups explored the lingering trauma of past events, Shaun's difficult adolescence, and the ongoing tension within the group, including the eventual return of Stephen Graham's Combo.
Reflecting on the profound effect the role had on his life and career, Graham told DigitalSpy, 'That character, that film basically, changed my life.' He expressed a bittersweet sentiment about concluding the character's journey, stating it had been 'so great to be able to play a character for such a long time and to grow with it.'
Shane Meadows' Long-Awaited Return
Director Shane Meadows has not released a feature film since 2009's 'Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee', focusing instead on television and music videos. However, he is poised for a cinematic comeback. Meadows is set to direct 'Chork', a road trip movie, marking his return to film after 17 years.
He will reunite with 'This Is England' co-writer Jack Thorne, whom he affectionately calls 'megadude'. Thorne also recently collaborated with Stephen Graham on the Netflix hit 'Adolescence'. Meadows described 'Chork' as following 'two beyond bright, funny as heck, and mischievously ingenious young people' on a runaway journey across the country, expressing immense excitement for the project.
'This Is England' is available to stream now for free via Channel 4's on-demand platform, offering a perfect opportunity to experience a pivotal work that reshaped British storytelling.
