Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27532 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-09-10
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 103 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Take The Full Monty, add a sharper emotional edge and replace the strutting strippers with a dignified British band. That's the essence of Brassed Off, a bittersweet gem released in 1996, a year before its more popular (and Oscar-nominated) counterpart. In the Yorkshire town of Grimley, there has always been a coal mine, just as for the last 111 years there has been a brass band and it seems that Danny (the wondrous Pete Postlethwaite) has been the director for every one of those years. Tory economic policies, however, are closing coal mines around the country in favour of nuclear power and Grimley appears to be next on the list. Danny is unfazed by the threat, claiming, "It's music that matters." But some of the men are about to quit the band until the appearance of Gloria (Tara Fitzgerald at her most radiant), who dazzles the all-male group (including old flame Andy, played by Ewan McGregor) first with her beauty, then with her flügelhorn playing. The new member gives the band a boost as they continue to perform and compete but closure remains very real, as director Mark Herman (Little Voice) accompanies the band's performances (played with gusto by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band) with scenes of angry labour-management confrontations and family strife. In this context, some of the characters claim that the music is an irresponsible form of escapism. It becomes clear, however, from a touching performance of "Danny Boy" to the stirring conclusion at Royal Albert Hall, that music is an expression of the human spirit, a bit of beauty and sanity in a harsh world. With defiance, the band can play "Land of Hope and Glory" even when the land offers them neither. --David Horiuchi

Special Features
1.85 Wide Screen
DVD 5
English
Region 2
Dolby Surround English
Dolby Surround
Full Motion Menus
Scene Index
Sub Plots
Theatrical Trailer
Interviews
Photo Library
None

Synopsis
When government cutbacks threaten a century-old Yorkshire mine, the brass band consisting of the miners and their families struggles to keep it together in the face of economic repression and emotional turmoil. The charming comedic drama stars Ewan McGregor, Pete Postlethwaite, and Tara Fitzgerald.

Customer Reviews

Brings tears to my eyes.
If like me you went through the morally bankrupt eighties accepting the view that the miners were a bunch of self interested thugs then you must see this film. I can't watch it without being deeply moved and feeling totally ashamed of my former opinion.
Of course, Pete Postlethwaite is, as ever, totally brilliant, the other members of the cast superb and the music, the music is just absolutely glorious. What more can you ask than to be entertained, educated an uplifted. Entertainment does not get any better than this!

Brass player's heaven
As a tenor horn player and Ewan McGregor's future wife (he may not know it yet...), this film combines two of my favourite things in the world. Although the underlying plot line is less than cheerful, focussing on the many British pit closures of the 1980s and 1990s, I can't help but feel uplifted after watching it. For fans of brass banding, there is a cracking soundtrack, with many old favourites; even if you couldn't tell a tuba from a tubular bell, I bet you enjoy the music! All of the actors' performances are excellent, with Stephen Tomkinson's character exceptionally convincing. It is something of a tragi-comedy, with tears being raised nearly as often as laughter, but ultimately it is a feel-good film which will leave you with a smile on your face and, if you're lucky, a few brass band pieces stuck in your head for the following week!

Amazing
I love this film.

I come from what was once a mining area and grew up in the Eighties when everyone was losing their jobs. The characters in this film are so real, you can imagine bumping into them on the street.

I cry everytime I watch this film. This is what life can be like. It even manages to make the brass band music sound amazing!!!!