Thw two groups in question are The Miners, and a small Gay and Lesbian Group in London. Mark is the main spoksperson for the Gay group, and decides that, like them, the Miners are constantly being attacked, and that their group should help to raise funds for the struggling miners. This they do, but the Miners are not so ready to accept the money, especially given as to who has raised it. Despite families going hungry and going without, they are willing to cut off their noses to spite their faces just because they disagree with the gay lifestyle.
They manage to make direct contact with a Group of Miners in the Welsh area of Dulais. They meet one of the main members in London. He is aware of their acronym, LGSM, Lesbians and Gays Support The Miners, and assumes that the opening letter is for London. So he is quite surprised to find out that it is a gay group. But it does not put him off. In fact he attends his first Gay bar and gives a big thank you to those who have contributed. Some however feel it is a step too far having been attacked by men, some of whom are Miners.
Yes mining is a tough job, and hard working men do the job, and it is not a world where Gays and Lesbians are usually tolerated. But the coming together of these two groups started something quite remarkable. It would not be an easy journey, but it was one well worth taking.
Being the Son of a miner, having grown up as a young gay man, there is a lot for me to relate to with this movie. But whether gay or straight, or from a a mining family or not, the simple fact is clear that this is a truly first class screenplay, wonderfully written by Stephen Beresford, it is hard to believe that this is his first writing credit, as there are several story strands within the film, all equally compelling, from Mark urged to live his life by his former love, to Joe, a young man coming to terms with his sexuality and keeping it secret from his family, and also the wonderful people within the Onllwyn community and their struggles too.
The film is assuredly directed by Matthew Warchus, who like Mr. Beresford, has only a couple of directing credits, but the feel of the film is one of complete control, and a very skilled man hemling the movie.
There are so many wonderful characters in this film, some real life, like Mark Ashton and Sian James, both brilliantly played by Ben Schnetzer and Jessica Gunning respectively.
But there is no way to single out any member of the cast, as they are all simply amazing. Every actor is at the top of their game, from the likes of Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, and Paddy Considine, to the newcomers like George MacKay, Faye Marsay & Joshua Hill, to name just a few.
And a special mention to Dominic West, who is worth the price of admission alone, as boy that man can dance.
And I have to say that in 25 years of being a regular Cinema attendee, I experienced one of my loudest laugh out moments during this film.
The film illustrates the battles that both communities went through in those tough years, and how they kept fighting against insurmountable odds. But the alliance forged would become a starting block for something very special, and that very story is the heart of this outstanding film.
I know sometimes it is easy to say that Critics do not know what they are talking about, but rest assured with this film they clearly do. Read the poster, believe the hype, this is film making as good as it gets.
A film with a compelling & true story, full of great characters, hope and most of all PRIDE......
What other score could I give but 10 out of 10
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