Brassed Off

Plot synopsis:
During the opening credits a brass band plays Death or Glory as the grimy coal miners return from the depths of the earth at the conclusion of their shift and head for their locker room to shower the coal dust from their bodies (but not from their lungs). As they leave the colliery, they wave at their neighbors who are keeping vigil outside the mines property protesting the anticipated closure of the pits.
As the music ends Gloria Mullins (Tara Fitzgerald) enters a boarding house, The Lantern, with her luggage. The house-lady notices Gloria is carrying a horn case a flugelhorn which she calls a flugel. She had hoped to do some practicing. Not wanting her to disturb her other boarders, the house-lady suggests Gloria find the Grimley Colliery Bands rehearsal hall. She is certain the band would welcome a lovely young lady. Gloria has been sent to her old hometown by the British Coal Board to prepare a report on the Grimley mine. In the next scene, Vera (Sue Johnston) and Ida (Mary Healey) talk about their husbands, Jim (Philip Jackson) and Ernie (Peter Martin), playing in the band again. One laments if the pit closes the band will also fold. Jim and Ernie, a couple of tuba players, head for band rehearsal, but agree to tell Danny (Pete Postlethwaite), the groups director, that under the current economic conditions they cant afford the bands dues, so they will resign. Dannys son, Phil (Stephen Tompkinson), a trombonist in the band, is badly in debt and his wife, Sandra (Melanie Hill), hounds him to take the redundancy money that is being offered like others have done in other coal mining communities. Phil makes a little extra money as Mr. Chuckles, the clown, at birthday parties. His father picks Phil up on his bicycle on the way to band rehearsal.
On the way, Danny sings his part to The Floral Dance and when they arrive, the band rehearses the piece. When the number concludes, Danny berates the groups playing as a load of bloody crap. The players contend their minds are distracted by the threat of the pit closing you cant have a colliery band without a colliery.
Just as Danny is passing the hat for the weekly dues, Gloria walks through the door of the rehearsal hall. She tells them the lady at the boarding house had suggested they might let her practice with them. Danny politely tells her they dont allow outsiders, but Gloria responds that she is originally from Grimley and her grandfather was a former conductor of the band. Under those circumstances, she is welcome to rehearse with the group. She sits next to Andy (Ewan McGregor), but apparently doesnt immediately recognize him as one of her former romances. The flugel she plays is inherited from her grandfather. Danny cant wait to hear it played again and asks what she knows. She has been practicing Rodrigos Concerto Aranjuez (Concierto de Aranjuez), so they immediately rehearse the number with Gloria as soloist (dubbed by Paul Hughes). At the end of the piece everyone is suitably impressed.
Jim and Ernie give in and contribute their dues. Later, their wives are convinced their husbands change of heart is due to a beautiful young woman joining the band.
Gloria is invited to join the band for fourteen contests in fourteen villages the following day. It is a chance for the band to make some money towards their expenses.
The next day as Danny is preparing to leave, he has a coughing attack and spits up blood the first sign of pneumoconiosis or what is more commonly known as black lung, an affliction caused by inhaling coal dust for many years.
At a union meeting, Phil complains that he was one of the strikers back in 1984, and as a result, he was suspended. It took a year and a half to get reinstated. He hasnt been able to get out of debt in the decade since. The workers must vote the following week on whether to accept the redundancy offer or for a review procedure, which is the option their union representatives are pushing. They feel thats the only chance to keep the pit open. When the band arrives at the first village, all the bands march through the town playing March of the Cobblers. The winner of the competition at Dobcross is the Yorkshire Building Society Band, so the Grimley group moves on to Uppermill Village; the winner there is Delph Band. At Diggle the winner is Fairleys Band; at Lees it is Brighouse & Rastrick Band, and things get worse for Grimley. Ernie, who like the others has downed several beers, plays behind the beat and Phils ancient trombone comes apart. (The same music continues throughout this entire sequence.) Back in Grimley, Danny reprimands the players for their lackadaisical attitude towards the band and its history of excellence. He is certain if they play up to their potential they can win the regional competition and advance to Royal Albert Hall in London for the finals. During this meeting, Harry (Jim Carter), one of the euphonium players, speaks for the other members: they will agree to continue with the band until the pit closes, but when that happens they will pack it in.
After everyone else has left the practice hall, Phil returns to give his father some reassurance. Danny encourages him to purchase a new trombone to replace his instrument that keeps falling apart, but Phil cant afford a better instrument. During their conversation, Phil notices his fathers bloody handkerchief and recognizes the sign.
When Andy and Gloria go to dinner together at In Cod We Trust Andy confronts Gloria that she works for management. She claims she wants the pit to remain open and can help the situation with her report. He is skeptical that her report will do any good: Its just a bloody PR exercise. Theyve already made their decision while you were at bloody college. However, the two of them reconcile their differences. Later as he is walking her home, she admits is remembered him but didnt want him to think he was etched forever on her brain. Then, she invites him up for some coffee he doesnt drink coffee and she doesnt really have any coffee to offer.
The following sequence shows Andy and some other lads going to work, Gloria working on her report, the miners voting, scenes down in the dingy depths of the mine, and some workers returning from the mine and bathing to rid themselves of layers of coal dust. Gloria asks her boss if her report is immaterial, but he assures her that it is vital, especially if the workers vote for review.
Soon, some of the other band members notice managements logo on Glorias key ring and accuse Andy of screwing management its about time, they say, management has been screwing them for years.
Next, we see Phil as Mr. Chuckles at a childrens birthday party. He isnt a very good clown and most of his tricks go awry. He uses the money he makes to purchase a used trombone at a pawn shop, but when he arrives at home, some men are repossessing their TV set. If he doesnt pay what he owes, they threaten to return with a truck and repossess the entire contents of his house. Phil fights one of the men and ends up with several scrapes and cuts. When Sandra realizes Phil has purchased a trombone when they dont have enough money for food, she is speechless.
As the band loads onto the bus for the next competition, Andy wont speak to Gloria. The next competition is the Yorkshire Area Qualifying Contest for the National Brass Band Championship. The band plays Florentiner March and they win! During their performance the film shows Sandra finding the ticket where Phil had paid $50 towards the trombone, but still owes $250. We also see the announcement of the vote results at the mine, which were overwhelmingly for redundancy and Glorias boss smiling when he receives a phone call about the vote. True to their word, the men return with a truck to repossess the contents of Phils and Sandras house.
When the band returns to Grimley, they see funeral wreaths and crudely painted signs like We Fought and Lost. To make matters worse, Danny collapses as he is walking home and is taken to the hospital. Ernie makes it plain to Gloria that the band members, including Andy, dont want her around. Then matters get even worse for Phil; he arrives home just in time to see Sandra leaving with their four children.
As Danny lies semi-conscious in his hospital bed, the band gathers on the hospital lawn to serenade their colleague with a beautiful arrangement of Danny Boy. Andy, who had lost his horn playing pool, whistles his part. When the serenade ends, a nurse tells them Danny is conscious, so several of his best buddies visit and present him with a new conducting baton.
The next day Gloria confronts her boss again. She questions if her reports that will never be read or considered. She also claims the Grimley pit has been profitable. And, she wonders if the decision to close the mine had been made weeks earlier. When her boss admits the decision was made two years ago, she throws her report at him and stalks out of his office. When she tells Andy that she told management to stuff it and is as unemployed as he is, he admits her heart was in the right place, but still cant get past her working for management. He also tells her the band isnt going to the National Finals because it costs too much.
Later Phil goes to the hospital, but when his father gives him the manuscript of a new arrangement he had stayed up all night writing, he doesnt have the heart to tell him the band had broken up. To make a little money, Phil appears as Mr. Chuckles at a Harvest Festival party for children at a church, but, in one of the films darkest scenes, he scares the children by ranting about the Tories and Margaret Thatcher. He says, So God was creating man. And his little assistant came up to him and he said: Hey, weve got all these bodies left, but were right out of brains, were right out of hearts and were right out of vocal cords. And God said Smack smiles on the faces and make them talk out of their arses. And lo, God created the Tory Party. Later, Phil, still dressed in his clown outfit, attempts suicide by hanging himself from the mines riggings.
Even though Danny was half asleep, he recognizes Mr. Chuckles huge clown feet as Phil is rolled past his room. Danny immediately gets out of bed to see what had happened. When he asks Phil why he attempted to kill himself, he explains he has lost everything: his wife, kids, job, and self-respect. During this conversation, he finally finds the guts to tell his father that the band members have packed it in.
The next day while several of the band members are drinking beer and talking about breaking Dannys heart, Gloria enters the pub and presents them with a $3,000 bank account to pay for the trip to the National Finals. Andy quickly wins back his horn in a pool match and Phil leaves a note for his father at the hospital: Were Going.
The entire village turns out to see the band off to London. During the bus trip into London and their arrival at Albert Hall, we hear Clog Dance.
Just as the band is preparing to play at Finals, the nurse discovers that Danny has left the hospital.
Harry conducts the band in the competition as they play a stirring rendition of the William Tell Overture. About half way through the number, Danny appears behind the band and Harry calls Phils attention to his father (Phil also notices his wife and children in the audience). Grimley is announced as the winner. Danny steps forward and tells the audience they are refusing the trophy. As much as he thought winning the trophy and music were the most important things, hes discovered that its human beings that matter. He berates the government that over the last ten years has systematically destroyed an entire industry. Our industry! And not just our industry our communities, our homes, our lives. All in the name of progress. And for a few lousy bob. As they leave the stage, even though Danny had said they were refusing it, Harry retrieves the trophy.
During a celebratory double-deck bus ride through the streets of London, Gloria accuses Yorkshire men of hiding their feelings, so Andy takes the challenge and kisses her. As they pass the parliament building, Danny says, Lets make them listen for a change. Land of Hope and bloody Glory, eh? (Sir Edward Elgars Pomp and Circumstance). From the top of the bus the band plays an emotion packed rendition of Pomp and Circumstance, which continues during the closing credits.

Tags: romantic

Review:
The music combined with brilliant storytelling (and editing) is merely a platform for some superb acting, particularly from Pete Postlethwaite.Having lived all my life in a large metropolitan city, I cannot relate first hand to the plight of a small town community.
Postlethwaite's performance hits you in an unexpected way and you'd have to have a heart of stone to not be moved by it.Any success that the film enjoys now that's it's strictly on video, is likely to come from very strong word of mouth.
Gloria was unconvincing; the wives were underused, and the speech at the end, yes, I found it embarrassing too!But please, before you attack the veracity of such a rounded and honest film as Brassed Off, take the time and trouble to watch it properly first!.
'Brassed Off' came at just the right time for British politics, just as the death knell for the Conservative Party as the main political force sounded; the story fictionalises the troubles of the real-life Grimethorpe Colliery Band (who you hear playing the great brass band tunes throughout).There are pit closures all over Yorkshire, and 'Grimley' Band has one last chance to triumph in the various band contests to end up playing at the Royal Albert Hall.
Romantic interest for Tara is present in cute Ewan McGregor - an unusually quiet role for him.Say what you like about the way this film portrays the North of England, there is no denying the power of the final sequences as the triumph of 'William Tell' turns into Postlethwaite's power rant against the Government and into the trip home's 'Land of Hope and Bloody Glory'.
One poster (from Scotland who should have known better) stated : "I think the problem I have is this film really plays up to the clichéd northern stereotypes it's almost offensive , the male characters all work down the pit , play in a brass band etc that it's impossible to believe in them as real human beings." It was a colliery band - of course all the male band members worked down the pit - that was the crux of the story.
And why does working down a pit & playing in a brass band diminish you as a real human being?According to a poster from Yorkshire, who lived through the pit closures, it was VERY true to the times.
Then there be the music itself, The Grimethorpe Colliery Band {on whose real life story this film is based} provide the music for the soundtrack, and its most enjoyable, often stirring, and definitely poignant at crucial moments.The cast are tremendous, Ewan McGregor and Tara Fitzgerald offer up splendid youthful heart, but they are playing second fiddle (or should that be third brass section?) to Pete Postlethwaite and Stephen Tompkinson.
Filmed in the ideal Northern English town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, Brassed Off is a film that has evident problems, but to someone like me, a Brit who lived thru those depressing days under Margaret Thatcher's government, it's a film that I love for a myriad of reasons, one can only hope that one of those reasons strikes a chord with yourselves.A completely biased 9/10 from me!.
I just want to correct a couple of things that the previous reviewer makes about the film.Firstly, from a musical point of view, Gloria does not enter the Grimley bandroom with an obligato cornet, it's a flugelhorn.The fact that a woman has entered the band room is important.
In the background the future of the mine is becoming bleaker.In the meantime Danny, who is developing a very bad cough, decides the band can make the national championships at the Albert Hall, and despite bailiffs, mendacious mine management, feral hospital matrons and British weather they get there.This film in many ways is an update of the fine, well crafted "Ealing" comedy of the 1950s, celebrating the triumph of ordinary people over adverse circumstances, officialdom and middle class pretentiousness, through their own determination and talent.
The British State, which owned the mines for 40 years after World War Two, proved a harsher master than the old private owners, especially when the Bad Baroness herself, Margaret Thatcher, decided to sell.On the strength of their performance here, the (mythical) Grimley band could easily turn professional, like the similarly displaced workers in "The Full Monty." Unlike "The Full Monty" the "Brassed Off" crowd don't step outside their mind-set - they are still chained to their working class attitudes and the future looks like happening without them.
While I could have done with a bit more romance, there was an excellent story line of working class difficulties to attend to that is similar to downsizing heartbreak here.Pete Postlethwaite as the band leader/black lunged ex-coal miner was terrific, but so was Stephen Tomlinson as a guy with just everything against him under so many pressures.Yeah it's a heartwarming story of trying to keep dignity vs.
And although you might not think you like brass band music it accompanies the film really effectively.The film is both tragic and funny, but with a real message coming from all of it.
The cast are brilliant: Tara Fitzgerald and Ewan work really well together, Melanie Hill is very believable, Pete Postlethwaite is both tragic and funny, and Sue Johnston and Mary Healey are hilarious.When you watch this film you will not feel that it could possibly have been scripted.VERY POWERFUL, BUT VERY NATURAL!!!.
Several scenes stand out: the coal board managers arguing at their meeting, against the background of Gloria Mullins' solo of "Concierto de Aranjuez", with each crescendo of the music corresponding to each wave of anger at the meeting; Mr Chuckles' "And lo, God created the Tory party" speech at the children's party, followed by his "What's He sodding playing at?" comment about God; the miners' playing of "Danny Boy" (complete with miners' helmet-lights) outside the hospital where Danny is recovering; Danny's electrifying speech at the Albert Hall after winning the brass band contest..
This is one of the most moving and realistic films ever.Having lived through the events in it, pit closures etc, the dire effects it has on the miners are very familiar.The acting and music is superb, though you can't beat the scene in the church insulting the Tories!!
It was a time of turmoil and Brassed Off is spot on in it's depiction of how friends and neighbours / colleagues and workmates / staff employed underground and in management or office roles were at loggerheads.Nothing can ever truly express the feelings and hardship that was the miners strike and the pit closures that followed.Arthur Scargill (figure of hate / love / comedic derision or political leader dependent on your background) was WRONG.Not necessarily in his views but certainly in his prophecy of the future.
And the music (from a heavy metal fan at heart) is fantastic beyond all proportions.If you don't feel overwhelmed by William Tell or if Danny Boy doesn't bring a tear to your eye - then you may as well give up, as the message and the meaning of this film (that the only really important things in life are what you have always taken for granted) are probably why you never understood films such as Kes..
What makes Brassed Off great is that is does not scream, instead it uses real humour and light touches to make its point, and it is watchable because it's genuinely a good, moving film.With a good solid cast, including a young Ewan MacGregor and the excellent Pete Postlewaithe, solid directing, and more than a touch of northern rough humour, the films charms and disarms the viewer.
So I was surfing the movie channels, came across "Brassed Off," and what hooked this former USA marching band member was the gloriously rich music that accompanied the film's action.
I was stunned at the richness of sound produced by a colliery band--no woodwinds to thin out the total effect.The film also has echoes of "How Green Was My Valley," a film made in the 40's and set in Welsh coal-mining country, where male choral groups meet weekly and also compete in an annual national contest.In addition, as an American tourist in Yorkshire, I loved the literary aspect of that area--Bronte country, if you will--being an English teacher, but this film was a cold slap in the face concerning the reality of the fate of men and women upon whose backs and blood the nation was enriched, and who are discarded, like rusty tools, when "conservative" economics trumpet the importance of "investors" over the fate of the workers in the industry.
(For the person who asked - the band would have to close as it is a colliery band.)  In particular, I was absolutely blown away by the chilling performance of Concierto d'Aranjuez over the scenes of negotiation - I cannot think of many film moments to better it.Overall, a stunning and powerful tale about an crumbling industry that is bringing lives down as it falls.
Despite some sentimental cliches like the one of the estranged wife who comes at last to see her husband play and that one of the dying band director who flees away from hospital to watch the band performance, this film conveys a message of will and solidarity in a rather efficient though sober way.
The performances are all excellent, particularly from Pete Posselthwaite as the band leader Danny, and Stephen Tompkinson as his son.Despite having a depressing subject matter, this film is at times funny and very moving..
A refreshing look at the lives of the members of a brass band in a small coal mining community and the impact of music on their lives.
A very happy and "feel-good" film, well made, good music, good acting (Pete Postlethwaite (sp?)), movie.
If you like brass band music, you'll enjoy Brassed Off and you'll learn some history about the British government closing the coal mines at the same time (something the U.S. may be forced to do in the not-too-distant future if the environmentalists have their way)..
The band's music becomes an allegory for the plight of the workers.Released a year before The Full Monty made working class British comedy a Hollywood hit, this has a lot more realism and a lot more heart.
Pete Postlethwaite is fabulous as the band's enthusiastic conductor, Ewan McGregor and Tara Fitzgerald play it just right as old flames trying awkwardly to pick up where they left off, but it's TV star Stephen Tompkinson (Ballykissangel, Wild at Heart) who delivers the performance of his life here, as a struggling trombonist almost beaten by life's misfortunes--I say almost, because when you see his face full of teary defiance during his band's heartfelt rendition of Londonderry Aire, realising what it means to him, you'll feel everything this superb film wants you to about the plight of working class men and women (in this case coal miners) given the shaft by Margaret Thatcher's government.
I love how they get play there rolls so well{they really really get into it.And I think it's sweet how Andy and Gloria are good friends,a little too friendly.This is a kind of movie that you'd want a sequel to,Because I want to figure out if poor Danny lives.
It is a remarkable landmark in British film making.Fantastic acting throughout by renowned actors Ewan McGregor (Star Wars, Trainspotting) and Pete Posthlewaite (Dark Water, Romeo and Juliet) act their hearts out.The story focuses upon a group of coal workers in Britain who are under pressure with a potential of their mine being closed and who are all in a ban together.Its an emotional driven plot where each passionate character has their own issues in life but are all working their best in a band.The added use of the band scenario is what made this film.
It did not seem right to me but then I discovered that Rodgrigo was one of the world's greatest guitarists and wrote this concerto for a guitar not a fluglehorn.The presence of Tara Fitzgerald at her prime and Ewan McGregor in a far different role from his superb performance in Moulin Rouge are extra bonuses as is the oft-mention acting skill of Pete Prostelwaithe.Still if you don't like Brass Bands, pass this by.
This is also mirrored in the on screen relationship between Ewan McGregor (Andy) and Tara Fitzgerald (Gloria), which again is remarkable, and worthy of comment.The film is also backed up in strong performances from a staple of good British actors, including Stephen Moore (McKenzie), Sue Johnston (Vera) and Jim Carter (Harry).One thing also worth mentioning in this review is some of the Cinematography, which perfectly compliments the film, and at all the right places.
The film is mainly a realistic social drama, but also a very funny and touching love story - and one of the best brass music sound tracks ever recorded for a movie!!!
The reality of this film is neither of the aforementioned, but instead a moving story about the relationship between a man (Danny - Pete Postlethwaite) and his son (Phil - Stephen Tomkinson).Danny is a band leader, who believes that his son is only interested in the politics of his job and situation.
Phil is a miner, deep in debt, who believes that his father is blind to the realities of the forthcoming pit closure and is only interested in music.Through their common bond, the rich and strident brass that punctuates the film, they realise that what is really important to them is each other.Forget the Danny/Gloria sub plot and contextualise the final speech from political rhetoric to a personal realisation.It's a great film - enjoy the ride..
"Brassed Off" was obviously a low budget film but the acting was great!Pete Postlethwaite did a very convincing role as Danny in the film.He grabbed my heart right at the beginning.I've seen Ewan McGregor in other films and he's proving to be an amazing actor.And in this film he pulled me in with his charm and honesty.Actually the whole cast was wonderful.The music was grand too how it beautifully guided the scenes of the coalminers'torrid lives.I love what the director did with some of the scenes i.e right when the bus drops them off and they're standing about like the city of angels.The close-ups he used totally worked also because the characters really grip you with the frustations of what life handed to them.Bravo!Mark Herman this movie was a true delight!.
One of the interesting subtexts of the movie was the effect a pretty woman can have on a group of men.I'd just like to encourage people to try something different every once in a while, and this film seems to me a good place to start.
Mark Herman's (1996) film is set in his native Yorkshire shortly after the reign of Margaret Thatcher (1983-1990).Written by the director in a state of melodic social uproar, this film more than any other tells the inside story of a traditional, northern mining community in crisis.As we join the impervious Danny (Pete Postlethwaite), whistling as hard as his failing lungs will allow, we begin to get the feeling that all is not quite well.
Mark Herman's (1996) film is set in his native Yorkshire shortly after the reign of Margaret Thatcher (1983-1990).Written by the director in a state of melodic social uproar, this film more than any other tells the inside story of a traditional, northern mining community in crisis.As we join the impervious Danny (Pete Postlethwaite), whistling as hard as his failing lungs will allow, we begin to get the feeling that all is not quite well.
But the band plays on.Supplemented by actual musicians from the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, and with sterling performances from Sue Johnson (Vera) and Mary Healey (Ida) many comic moments and situations punctuate the dark undercurrent that permeates the film.In a triumphant finish that seals the future of the band at least, art and life confront one another at The Albert Hall, London where an brass band competition is held every year.This is a heart-warming film and a fitting tribute the spirit of all the mining communities whose story is so intricately bound up in it..
But the band plays on.Supplemented by actual musicians from the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, and with sterling performances from Sue Johnson (Vera) and Mary Healey (Ida) many comic moments and situations punctuate the dark undercurrent that permeates the film.In a triumphant finish that seals the future of the band at least, art and life confront one another at The Albert Hall, London where an brass band competition is held every year.This is a heart-warming film and a fitting tribute the spirit of all the mining communities whose story is so intricately bound up in it..
The film takes place in Yorkshire and is the story of mine workers being threatened by a plant closure and a girl who arrives to play in an all male brass band.
That point is made implicitly, throughout the film and very explicitly in a surprise ending that could have been inspired by Frank Capra (It's a Wonderful Life).The film makes one feel good and the brass band music is played exquisitely..
Forget the love-story subtext, see this magnificent film for Pete Postlethwaite's moving performance, and wonderful brass-band music.
Starring Peter Postlethwaite, as Danny, Ewan McGregor, as Andy, and Tara Fitzgerald as Gloria, this drama/romance/comedy really opens your eyes to the effect the Margaret Thatcher government had on mining communities.The plot follows a small band as they battle to save their mine from closer and to continue playing.
I think the problem I have is this film really plays up to the cliched northern stereotypes it`s almost offensive , the male characters all work down the pit , play in a brass band etc that it`s impossible to believe in them as real human beings .
I was expecting as I had seen from the trailer a funny, small-town British movie about a brass band and their dealing with competitions and a mine closing.