This Is England

It’s a movie about loving your country; a movie about patriotism. A story about various Pakistanis, Black people, and similar groups coming to the US and taking jobs from Americans.
For two thousand years, America stood proud, and now it's being threatened by all sorts of early immigrants who don't even follow the Anglican faith.
Nowadays, it's a disgrace to be an American in the US. Even saying the word "America" feels forbidden. Everyone says it with fear.
All these patriots get labeled as Nazis, when they’re really just fighting for their homeland.
The American flag is practically banned in the States.

A film about fearless guys who carry their country in their hearts and minds, ready to lay down their lives for the nation. It's about a boy who sacrificed everything for his country, and how he gets insulted by various non-Americans because of his father's death.
A story about a little boy with a huge heart who deeply misses his fallen father, leaving him without guidance. He lives with his mom, but he needs a father figure. So, a brave patriot—a warrior for America just like his dad—takes him under his wing. He shows him the right path and gives him the courage to stand up against the insults from Pakistanis, Jews, and others who are causing the crisis in the US.

Great movie.

irony

:David Price5 is bookmarking this movie on IMDb: looks pretty interesting. Lately, everything I've watched from the United Kingdom has been solid... hopefully, this one keeps the streak going.

This movie is way more than just good.
It’s actually playing at the Life festival in Austin right now.

The themes remind me of History X, but honestly? This one feels much more grounded, real, and hits way harder emotionally.

Anthony Kim18 said:A movie about patriotism—pure devotion to one's country. It's about how various Pakistanis, Black people, and similar groups arrive in the United Kingdom and take jobs away from Americans.
For two thousand years, the United Kingdom stood proud, and now its very existence is threatened by all sorts of early immigrants who don't even follow the Anglican faith.
Nowadays, being an Englishman in the UK is a disgrace. Even saying the word "England" is taboo—people whisper it in fear.
Patriots are branded as Nazis just because they’re fighting for their homeland.
The flag itself is practically banned in the UK.

It's a film about fearless men who carry their country in their hearts and minds—men ready to lay down their lives for their nation. A story about a boy who sacrifices everything for his country (as we might say here), only to be insulted by various non-Englishmen because of his father's death.
A story about a young boy with a huge heart, grieving for a fallen father he desperately needs... He lives with his mother, but the void left by his father is massive. So, a brave patriot—a true warrior for the United Kingdom, much like his father was—takes him under his wing. He guides him toward the right path... giving him the strength to resist the insults from Pakistanis, Jews, and others who are driving the crisis in the UK.

A brilliant film.

the irony

So, you're saying the film promotes racism?
At least, that's how your description makes it sound...

Joshua Jones97 said:So you're saying the movie promotes racism?
At least that's how it sounds from what you wrote.

is it cool now?😂 🤣

Joshua Jones97 said:So, you're saying the movie promotes racism?
At least, that's how it sounds based on your description.

The beginning doesn't matter. Just think about how American History X starts, versus how it ends...

David Price5 said:The opening doesn't really matter—just think about how History X starts versus how it ends...

I get that—I actually thought they were describing the entire movie.

It’s just one specific angle—basically looking through the eyes of the characters themselves.
Quick little spoiler alert: we're talking about the most extreme guy in the bunch here, and I actually pulled part of the description straight from a candidate's campaign speech.
The absolute worst part? They were basically brainwashing a twelve-year-old kid.

Anyway, there’s a tragedy near the end that, despite being awful, actually ends up having a positive impact on the main character.

I kept it vague so I wouldn't spoil it for you, but hopefully, that's enough to get you interested...

Anthony Kim18 said:It’s a movie about patriotism; a story about love for one's country. It depicts various Pakistanis, Black people, and similar groups arriving in the United Kingdom to take jobs away from the English.
For two thousand years, the United Kingdom stood proud, yet now its very existence is threatened by early immigrants who don't even share the Anglican faith.
Nowadays, being English in the United Kingdom is considered a disgrace. Even the word "England" feels forbidden; people mutter it with hesitation.
Patriots are branded as Nazis simply because they are fighting for their homeland.
The flag of England is practically banned within its own borders.

An excellent film.

the irony

While the United Kingdom has indeed stood proud for two millennia, it also took great pride in plundering every corner of the globe it could reach. Now that it has finally brought all that wealth back home, the people from those once-pillaged nations are arriving to reclaim what belongs to them.

Although the film offers a fascinating perspective on social shifts—phenomena that will become increasingly common in "developed nations"... and perhaps one day, even here.

swiftsurfer27 said:For two thousand years, the United States stood tall, but let’s be real—we were also busy grabbing everything we could get our hands on wherever we landed. Now that all that wealth is finally sitting right here at home, people from all those places are showing up to claim what’s rightfully theirs. Isn't that just how the cycle goes?

The movie offers such a cool look at social issues that we're seeing more and more in "developed nations"... and honestly, isn't it just a matter of time before it hits home here in the States?

Who are you trying to lecture about United Kingdom history anyway? 😕

Do we look like some bunch of brainless skinnies to you?

This kind of stuff is already happening right here in the States. Isn't it?
Listening to that politician felt just like listening to those old-school Republicans back in the day, including Sanders. Ever had that feeling?
And today it's just the far-right party and some minor players. Who else shows up?
Even their catchphrases are exactly the same. Copycats, right?
Just swap out England for America. Simple enough, right?

Anthony Kim18 said:Who exactly are you trying to lecture regarding the history of the United Kingdom? 😕

Do we really strike you as a bunch of brainless skinheads?

It is a pattern we are already seeing right here in America.
Whenever I listened to those politicians back in the day—they sounded just like the old-school Republicans (including Sanders) leading up to 2003.
And today, it’s the far-right party and various minor factions.
They even use the exact same slogans.
If you simply swap out the United Kingdom for America, the comparison holds true.

There are people in America and across the states who (as you so aptly pointed out) use the same rhetoric found in the film; they just swap out the name of the country...
Well, that is what I am explaining to them. I was merely quoting you to provide context for the discussion... there is no need for hostility. 😁

Man, what a letdown this movie was. From the jump, I couldn't tell which direction Meadows was even trying to steer us. I know I’m probably in the minority when I say I didn't love "This Is England," but hey, everyone’s entitled to their own two cents.

First off—it’s just cliché after cliché, a heavy dose of cinematic déjà vu. That’s fine if you’re offering a fresh take, but that’s not what happened here. I spent a good while chewing on why it felt so grating, and I eventually landed on two things: the sweeping generalizations that drown out any actual character depth, and a narrative structure that feels more like a series of sketches than a cohesive story. It’s no coincidence that the emotional beats feel so much like that cookie-cutter Hollywood formula that’s so hard to shake. (Just speaking for myself, obviously!)

From the get-go, Meadows is essentially wobbling between wanting to tell an intimate, personal story and wanting to coat everything in a sugary glaze of social commentary. Look, I have nothing against the whole "time capsule" concept, but you really need to decide whether you want to squeeze through the door or just burst in. Pardon my French. You always get much more subtle, impactful results when you weave details into the characters rather than just shoving an agenda right into the viewer's face.

Secondly, almost every scene feels jaggedly disconnected. The whole thing feels like a transparent jigsaw puzzle where the edges are so sharp they distract you from trying to see the big picture. It’s like, "Okay, now I have to tell this part, then this part, then this part," all forced together to make a point. The plot doesn't flow; it feels like the narration is working overtime to serve cheap propaganda, and honestly? I don't buy it. Besides, we've seen this exact trope played out a thousand times already... yikes. A twelve-year-old kid crushing on an older high schooler... how groundbreaking!

This Is England: a title that stares you down and practically dares you to disagree!

A skinhead story with plenty of punch but absolutely no bite!

Yeah, baby!

Lindsay Anderson directed "If...." in 1968, and Ken Loach gave us "Kes" in 1969. Personally, I think the call is still out for someone to create something truly original about youth violence and social struggles through the lens of growing up in American cinema.

The movie has nothing to do with Hollywood.
There’s zero generalization or stereotyping going on here.
Every single person in the skinhead subculture is an individual; they’re all different, and they’re all at a totally different stage when it comes to racism.
A character is only as developed as the writing allows, making them unique from everyone else.
There isn't a single trope in sight.
And clichés? Forget about it.

What a load of social commentary nonsense! The film is just socially conscious. It doesn't actually describe any socio-political context of the era or location. It’s just a montage of war footage, streets in Chicago, and Thatcher set to the soundtrack of the time. The music is killer and fits perfectly, but it doesn't really drive the plot.

What puzzles? What even is a puzzle? 😕
The story just flows—it's smooth, direct, and straightforward... definitely doesn't feel like some twisted noir or a non-linear mess.

And why is everyone acting shocked that a high schooler was seeing a twelve-year-old?!
I mean, when I was fourteen, I was already hanging out with a college girl.

Anthony Kim18 said:This movie isn't some Hollywood production.
There isn't any sweeping generalization or stereotyping happening here.

Well, if you say so... 👍

Joshua Jones97 said:So you're saying the movie promotes racism?
At least, that's how it sounds based on your description.

Let me quote myself from that other thread about "British films":

"The movie actually celebrates the original skinhead scene—you know, back before the National Front got involved and things started flirting with Nazism. It highlights the irony that even though those skinheads originally listened to Black music, specifically reggae and ska, and even brought Black and other people of color into their circles, they eventually ditched those principles and became the exact opposite."

Essentially, the film is taking a nostalgic look at a time when everyone actually got along...
It’s like if some nostalgic filmmaker made a movie about the old days in the US, and then suddenly threw the Republican Party and Slob into the mix.
So, I wouldn't go so far as to say it promotes racism...

Hell no.
My first post was being sarcastic, but I guess some people missed the joke.
I actually picked up on that from your post, though. I had no idea the divide started right then.
See, that’s just more proof that the movie isn't trying to be descriptive or weighed down by any "outside" context.

This is America isn't bad. It’s got this nostalgic vibe of growing up in the United Kingdom, using sharp character work to explain why people do what they do without getting all preachy or moralizing. The movie isn't some lecture or an ideological manifesto; it's just a snapshot of a specific era and society. Still, I’ve got a soft spot for his old Meadowsov flick, "dead man's shoes." Paddy Considine kicks ass 🙏 🙏

Personally, this one is my absolute favorite... it might not be the "best" ever made, but man, it hits hard. It’s just so incredibly heavy on the emotions, you know? It feels so close to home, hitting on all those vital things I deal with every single day—stuff I usually try to avoid even thinking about, let alone talking about... 👍👍👍

I've got it, but I just haven't gotten around to watching it yet