Keechelus

Pardon my repeating an obvious choice, but my quick search didn't find it in this topic.

You may be surprised that I saw KES for the first time ever just yesterday. Wow.

And wow! some more. Ken Loach is often brilliant in later years (LAND AND FREEDOM; WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY) and sometimes annoying (BREAD AND ROSES), but now I know why he's been universally respected for so long.

KES - I direct this at new viewers like me: is nearly the most perfect film about real people I will ever see. There is hardly a happy moment when more than young Billy (David Bradley) and his kestrel are on screen. Barnsley life isn't all misery, but it is very restricted until Billy finds his kestrel, and she provides a another life for him.

Sure, one of the best comic sequences, ever, in a British movie is KES' school football exercise, but it has a very bitter tinge.

The characters are note-perfect, every one. Some are played by non-professionals, but we can't see the difference, because the acting is so right.

*sigh* When I played our DVD last night, one minute in, Jeannie asked: "Are they speaking English?" Thank goodness for subtitles. Barnsley working-class speech was a brave choice for Loach when he made KES, but severely restricted its commercial appeal.

A USA cinema release, despite top BAFTA awards and praise at NYC's 1970 Film Festival was delayed for years. One USA movie exec is quoted, as he turned down distribution: "They shoulda made this in Hungarian! More people would understand it."

Too bad. Barnsley's manner of speech is essential to the characters and their story. I think it is best shown when Billy is challenged, in his classroom, to tell a story.

Reluctantly at first, he mumbles about his kestrel - but once on the topic, he opens up and is very passionate. "Hee, she's tha' wild, loike, an' thee ne'er can bid her go nor stay. So I says, me'sen, tha got ta be brave, loike, so I walks 'way off wi' her on da post an' she cam to me. Ooh, I thought me'sen, tha's a bluidy daft fool, she'll not do owt again. I set on her on post again, and walked farther off. She cam straight, when I called her, the lass. An' now she's me heart."

The best British movie ever made, as some critics say? Maybe not, but surely in the first rank.

James Fox

I saw this for the first time about six months ago. A beautiful, heartbreaking film.

I enjoyed Loach's "Riff Raff" very much, too. Need to see more of his work.

faginsgirl

Before I watch it, is it a sad ending? If so I will have to give it a miss I`m afraid.

xx

We`re changin` lodggggggggings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

James Fox

May want to skip this one then.

716Jones

Certainly won't have you chuckling when you switch off the dvd!

faginsgirl

Thanks. I vaugely remember it being on when I was a child, I cant remember much about the end. Maybe I was so distressed I blocked it out

xx

We`re changin` lodggggggggings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ThomasC

We actually did this film for GCSE at school back in the 90's.

Steve Crook

And how did you "did" it? What conclusions were reached?

Steve

MovieLover12

I did it in school too. I thought the film was wicked. I really understood all that I learned about the movie.

Lord Lionheart

The scene with the late Bryan Glover ( the voice for the old tetley tea ads) as the gym teacher/Manchester United football team is classic piece of British film. I have it on DVD and am waiting for my two sons (aged 4 & 2) to be old enough to watch it with me.................... again.