Filmed in my hometown Barnsley where we have a full sized Bronze Statue of Billy, many of the places including the school (which was the same school the author Barry Hines and Main Actor David Bradley aka Billy actually went to) were and are still used today including the Chip Shop he gets food from it is now called "Casper's". Billy's English Teacher was the only professional actor in the ENTIRE film the rest being amateurs including The Headmaster who was actually Headmaster at a local school and the PE teacher was also a Teacher from a local school and all the extra's were just normal children at school! Also the children who got caned on the hand were really caned by the Headmaster and got paid an additional 10 shillings or 50p for their troubles! (The Yorkshire/Barnsley dialect was so hard for others to understand even in other parts of the UK that some scenes were actually re-dubbed for the American release and some American Executives said they could understand Hungarian better than the dialect in the film).
Just watched this film tonight! It was a powerful film. I had no idea the people in the film were non actors. That just adds another layer of richness to the film. Nice review. Keep up the great work!
I grew up in an area like Billy's around the same time ,council estate ,lots of miners, miners clubs and pubs , David Bradley [Billy] became actor Dai Bradly he starred in the film ABSOLUTION with Richard Burton and Billy Connolly ,Ken Loach is the champion of the working class his films are about class struggle and have a documentary style ,very natural, he has been doing it since the 60s he is held in high regard in France and here in U.K. He does great work with a tiny budget and gives unknown actors a chance.
I'm so glad you cam across my review for this and are able to give your own appreciation for the film and Ken Loach. I've always appreciated what this film did and the career that Loach has made for himself afterwards.
I saw the movie and enjoyed it. It was a blind buy and I finally got around to watching it. But the one small thing that took me out of the film was during the soccer (football) game, where the score appears on the bottom. It made it seemed as if you were watching the game on TV, and I found that weird.
I saw Ken Loach’s “I, Daniel Blake” and it was such a sad movie about the UK unemployment system. His biography mentioned that his other movie “Kes” and I wanted to learn more about it and I can across your channel. Your review is very helpful.
The true introduction of social realism to the masses. Ken Loach is the master of social realism and this movie hits you hard with a true depiction of the northern working class in England. This movie particularly resonates with the somewhat rural working class of the UK and of Ireland. I cry every time I watch it. 'Kes' and 'The Wind That Shakes The Barley' are my two favourite films of his. I feel the latter didn't get the credit it deserved particularly in the UK because of its honest and brutal representation of the war crimes and terrorism committed by the British army in the attempted colonisation of Ireland. I highly recommend it. ✌️
I bet it were hard listening to our accent as its quite thick. I'm a Barnsley man myself. Even when I were younger I couldn't understand certain words because it's slang. Me and my dad watched it last night. There's some hillarious moments in it. Him singing on the microphone I'll never forget. 🤣
Filmed in my hometown Barnsley where we have a full sized Bronze Statue of Billy, many of the places including the school (which was the same school the author Barry Hines and Main Actor David Bradley aka Billy actually went to) were and are still used today including the Chip Shop he gets food from it is now called "Casper's".
Billy's English Teacher was the only professional actor in the ENTIRE film the rest being amateurs including The Headmaster who was actually Headmaster at a local school and the PE teacher was also a Teacher from a local school and all the extra's were just normal children at school! Also the children who got caned on the hand were really caned by the Headmaster and got paid an additional 10 shillings or 50p for their troubles!
(The Yorkshire/Barnsley dialect was so hard for others to understand even in other parts of the UK that some scenes were actually re-dubbed for the American release and some American Executives said they could understand Hungarian better than the dialect in the film).
Just watched this film tonight! It was a powerful film. I had no idea the people in the film were non actors. That just adds another layer of richness to the film. Nice review. Keep up the great work!
I'm happy you enjoyed it!
I grew up in an area like Billy's around the same time ,council estate ,lots of miners, miners clubs and pubs , David Bradley [Billy] became actor Dai Bradly he starred in the film ABSOLUTION with Richard Burton and Billy Connolly ,Ken Loach is the champion of the working class his films are about class struggle and have a documentary style ,very natural, he has been doing it since the 60s he is held in high regard in France and here in U.K. He does great work with a tiny budget and gives unknown actors a chance.
I'm so glad you cam across my review for this and are able to give your own appreciation for the film and Ken Loach. I've always appreciated what this film did and the career that Loach has made for himself afterwards.
I saw the movie and enjoyed it. It was a blind buy and I finally got around to watching it. But the one small thing that took me out of the film was during the soccer (football) game, where the score appears on the bottom. It made it seemed as if you were watching the game on TV, and I found that weird.
OK
Just watched it... I'm not crying, you're crying...
I am crying
I saw Ken Loach’s “I, Daniel Blake” and it was such a sad movie about the UK unemployment system. His biography mentioned that his other movie “Kes” and I wanted to learn more about it and I can across your channel. Your review is very helpful.
Glad you found it! Would highly recommend 'Kes'. It's my all time favorite Criterion Collection film!
Working class in England, not middle class.
Exactly I thought that too
The true introduction of social realism to the masses. Ken Loach is the master of social realism and this movie hits you hard with a true depiction of the northern working class in England. This movie particularly resonates with the somewhat rural working class of the UK and of Ireland. I cry every time I watch it.
'Kes' and 'The Wind That Shakes The Barley' are my two favourite films of his. I feel the latter didn't get the credit it deserved particularly in the UK because of its honest and brutal representation of the war crimes and terrorism committed by the British army in the attempted colonisation of Ireland. I highly recommend it. ✌️
It is definitely on my list of must watches. My wife has seen it and she liked it, so I do mean to watch it soon.
This is England & Dead mans shoes & Human Traffic review those Gems
I bet it were hard listening to our accent as its quite thick. I'm a Barnsley man myself. Even when I were younger I couldn't understand certain words because it's slang. Me and my dad watched it last night. There's some hillarious moments in it. Him singing on the microphone I'll never forget. 🤣
Great review man
Thank you 😊
Anyone: What was school like when you were a kid?
Me (every time): Have you seen "Kes"?
Classic movie. The scene where they get caned has you laughing with a lump in your throat. 🤣
Lol
Excellent review kes is a classic
It's so Sad !
Thanks from India, offlate I am pretty much interested in British movies , can you please suggest some of the good ones.
I love this film. Very very real
well done..
INSTITUTE