In the aftermath of the British victory over Napoleon at Waterloo, large sections of the north of England are in severe financial hardship, made worse by government policy enforced by vested interests, and without any meaningful democtratic representation. At a mass meeting at Manchester armed militia are sent in to break up the non-existent riot, which they do by injuring and killing unarmed civilians including women and children.
This historical drama is clearly a project of passion for writer / director Mike Leigh, and I must start by saying that the period detail is first rate, as are the performances. And the Peterloo massacre (named "Peterloo" by the press after Waterloo and because the meeting was at St Peter's Field) is very well recreated. But it's the last 10 minutes or so of a 154 minute movie.
What happens befor that is political meeting after political meeting, in which various speakers say the same thing over and over again. There is a little bit of would-be dissenters marching on the Moors, but then there's more meetings.
This film is very worthy, and Leigh's passion and commitment shines out of every frame. But it's really, really boring, and stops dead after the massacre.
This historical drama is clearly a project of passion for writer / director Mike Leigh, and I must start by saying that the period detail is first rate, as are the performances. And the Peterloo massacre (named "Peterloo" by the press after Waterloo and because the meeting was at St Peter's Field) is very well recreated. But it's the last 10 minutes or so of a 154 minute movie.
What happens befor that is political meeting after political meeting, in which various speakers say the same thing over and over again. There is a little bit of would-be dissenters marching on the Moors, but then there's more meetings.
This film is very worthy, and Leigh's passion and commitment shines out of every frame. But it's really, really boring, and stops dead after the massacre.