This is England

This is England is a film drama which was released in 2006. It was written and Directed by Shane Meadows. The film is all about people of the skinhead culture, they are white nationalists who only wanted English people living in England. The film is set in Northern England in 1983. Shaun (Thomas Turgoose) a 12 year old troubled boy who has been expelled for breaking into a fight at his school after a pupil commented on how his Dad had died in the Falklands war. Shaun is walking home he bumps into a group of skinheads the leader of the group Richard 'Woody' Woodford (Joe Gilgun) feels sympathy for Shaun and him and his group befriend him. Shaun finds a big brother in Woody. Woody shows Shaun to the females of the group and Shaun takes an immediate liking to an older girl Michelle 'Smell' (Rosamund Hanson)

Andrew 'Combo' Gascoinge (Stephen Graham) an older member of the skinheads has just been released from prison and tries to enforce his leadership. This leads to the group splitting. Shaun stays in Combo's group. Shaun finds Combo as his mentoring figure now. Shaun and some others from Woody's group go with Combo to a  National Front Meeting. When they get back the racist group cause havoc for a local Asian Shop keeper who had previously banned Shaun from his shop. They also caused mayhem for all the Asian children growing up round there area.

Combo gets his first chance to see Woody's girlfriend Lol (Vicky McClure) who he has loved ever since they had drunken sex years ago. After Lol rejected him he seeks out Milky (Andrew Shim) the only black member of Woody's group of Skinheads to buy cannabis of and while they are intoxicated they form a close friendship. Milky explains to Combo about how well his life is going. Combo becomes annoyed and agitated and takes all his anger out on Milky with extreme violence.

Afterwards a short film of clips of what Shaun could remember of his Father appear on screen and Shaun goes down to beach to throw in a St George's Flag which Combo had given him earlier in the film.

I feel Shane Meadows has written and directed this film with true passion and meaning. This is all portrayed in the film perfectly.