Funny yet deeply moving take on 1980s UK youth culture from a troubled 13 year old’s viewpoint. The story centres on skinheads in the East Midlands of England in 1983 who adopt a younger boy, Shaun (Turgoose), initially as a mascot and then as a fully-fledged member of their gang. The film illustrates how the skinhead subculture, which has its roots in 1960s ska music imported by West Indians, was colonised by the far-right in the late-70s and early-80s, leading to divisions within the scene. The film’s title is a reference to the a speech by Combo (Graham) in which he justifies his nationalist views.

As much as it’s a film about youth culture, this is also a traditional tale of boyhood, with Shaun clashing with his single-parent mother and looking for a father-substitute in Combo, before realising that the older man can not offer guidance and is himself deeply conflicted by his own violent behaviour. What stands out however is the supporting ensemble, which is rich in character, comedy and affecting drama. This richness led, in 2010, to a spin-off series set three years after the film, This Is England ’86, which was shown on Channel 4. A sequel to that series, set two and a half years later, This Is England ’88, was broadcast in December 2011, and a third installment, This Is England ’90, was shown in September 2015, effectively tracking a decade in Shaun’s growth from childhood, through adolescence, to young manhood.

‘What lifts Meadows’ work to the highest level are both his script and the extraordinary group of young actors.’ Paul Hurley, Tiscali UK.