In 1984, Britain stood on the brink of massive change. The way people made, and spent, money was changing, the era of the yuppy was arriving. It was a vibrant, fluid, controversial time of change. And in the midst of it all was the Thatcher revolution, and the miners' strike. In March 1984, the government announced plans to close 20 coalmines, with the loss of 20,000 jobs. National Union of Mineworkers leader Arthur Scargill led his workers out on strike. This documentary uses extensive archive footage and the recollections of an eclectic mix of the key players from both camps, including politicians, policemen, comedians, pop stars and, of course, miners and their wives, to recount the events of this unique and formative period in modern domestic history: the year Britain went to war.
In a specially shot introduction, Ken Loach presents his moving film, made during the miner's strike which looks at the songs and poems inspired by the the strike produced by the likes of striking miners, their friends, family and supporters.
onceived by Turner prize-winning British artist Jeremy Deller and directed by Mike Figgis, The Battle of Orgreave is a partial re-enactment of one of the most violent clashes between striking miners and police during the 1984-85 miners' strike. The original stand-off took place on 18 June 1984 in the streets and fields of Orgreave, South Yorkshire; the re-enactment 17 years later is in the same location. The film relives this important day, which made social and political history, combining the re-enactment with footage of the actual event. There are also interviews with those who were there in 1984, including miners, a former miner who was serving as a policeman on the day, David Douglass from the NUM and Stephanie Gregory from the Womens' Support Group. Former MP Tony Benn discusses the media's role in covering up the truth about the strike.
