This Is England

Shane Meadows' incendiary new film confirms his status as the most interesting young director working in Britain today. The story centres upon 12 year old Shaun who has lost his father in the (still continuing) Falklands conflict. It's hardly a big leap to make the connection that this is an autobiographical film in the vein of A Room For Romeo Brass rather than the trite comedy of Once Upon A Time In The Midlands.

Two separate substitute fathers begin a battle to shape the boy's troubled childhood: skinhead Woody and his gang offer him no-frills fun in the non-descript seaside town setting, but this is shattered when "original skinhead" Combo (an incredible Stephen Graham) convinces him to join a more militant group with fascist beliefs. This important landmark film doesn't condemn its protagonists, rather allow them to show their true colours over the course of the film. Thomas Turgoose who plays Shaun is a cherubic urchin who - when properly attired - makes for a more believable thug than Russell Crowe did in the inferior Romper Stomper, and provides an unforgettable epicentre to a truly frightening film.

Released 27 April 2007 by Optimum Releasing.

Written by Simon Cole.