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Pete Postlethwaite, Tara Fitzgerald, Ewan McGregor, Jim Carter, Stephen Tompkinson ... see more see more... , Philip Jackson , Peter Martin , Kenneth Colley , David Essex , Adam Fogerty , Ken Kitson , Stephen Moore , Ronnie Stevens , Peter Wallis , Mark Arnold , Michael Kennedy , Peter Gunn , Mary Healey , Bernard Wrigley , Melanie Hill , Sue Johnston , Lill Roughley , Adrian Hood , Katherine Dow Blyton , Paul Hughes , Sally Adams , Tubby Andrews , Robert Archer Lynn , Andrew Armstrong , David Barraclough , Jonathan Beatty , Roy Bowater , Colin Brook , Duncan Byers , Malcolm Clegg , Charles Faulkner , Toni Galacki , Olga Grahame , Andrew Hirst , Alan Hobbins , Cliff Hopes , Sky Ingram , Vanessa Knox-Mawer , Sally Ann Matthews , Paul McDonald , Luke McGann , Jacqueline Naylor , Stephan Peacock , Shaun Randall , Bob Rodgers , Jim Shepherd , Irene Skillington , Max Smith , Christopher Tetlow , Simon Willis , David Arnold , Paul F. Davies , Robin Lord Taylor , Pete Postethwaite , Ken Colley

Economics and music are the twin focal points of this comedy/drama about a community in crisis. The small British town of Grimley has long been dominated by the coal mine where most of the men work, a... read more read more...nd the town's greatest source of pride is the Grimley Colliery Band, a brass ensemble that's won a number of nationwide competitions. Danny (Pete Postlewaite) is a retired miner in poor health who directs the band; a national championship is coming up, and Danny is determined that Grimley will walk away with a trophy. But many of his musicians have other things on their minds: word has it that the mine may soon close down, and, in a city already suffering an economic downturn, this is just short of a death sentence. Adding to the intrigue is the return of Gloria (Tara Fitzgerald), who used to live in Grimley and is back in town for a while on an assignment. While the band has traditionally been all-male, Danny considers bending the rules to allow Gloria in the band, as she's a fine fluglehorn player, but her presence is bad news for the town: she works for the government and is investigating the feasibility of closing down the mine. Ace trumpeter Andy (Ewan McGregor) also has mixed feelings about Gloria; they were once a couple, and he still has feelings for her, but he's not sure he wants to set himself up for another breakup. The real-life Grimethorpe Colliery Band performs on the soundtrack. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

68% liked it

10,539 ratings

Critics

79% liked it

29 critics

R, 1 hr. 49 min.

Directed by: Mark Herman

Release Date: May 23, 1997

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DVD Release Date: February 25, 1998

Stats: 491 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (491)

  • RossCollinsUK
    February 20, 2012
    RossCollinsUK
    Quaint little story about miners from a Northern England town losing their quarry but finding unity in their brass band.
  • SirPant
    March 24, 2011
    SirPant
    Certainly not as bad as all the other horrible Comedy/Dramas of the time, it's not that bad at all but it does suffer many of the cliches and is a little insulting towards our northern friends (yet it was made by northerners, so what you gonna do?) I'm guess the producers pinch m... read moreight be at fault here but still, this is as good as it got.

    PS. Flixster has got the date wrong, this came out in 1994!
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    In retrospect, this film deserves another star just for the late great Pete Postethwaite's brilliant performance!
  • fb619846742
    January 11, 2011
    fb619846742
    A lovable, if formulaic and slightly predictable, film concerning a dying town in England which has been ravaged by poor politicians, and how the citizens there interact and keep each other's spirits strong through the use of forming their own music band. The real reason to see t... read morehis movie is for the late great Pete Postlethwaite, who is one of the best actors ever in my opinion, and he once again delivers a stunning performance as the band's emotional orchestrator. As said, it is not a perfect movie and at one point it threatens to get a bit too into the dark aspects of it, but Postlethwaite's performance coupled with a well-paced plot and incredibly satisfying ending makes this one a winner in the end.
  • binky013
    February 11, 2008
    binky013
    All band music fans must see this. Reminds me of a cross between Billy Elliot and Drumline. Coal may be dead, but music never ever dies. Is it really true that everything, in the end, is political? Really, the most fun I've ever had watching Pete Postlethwaite, ... read moreand it's a very -- please forgive me -- sweet love story to boot. I've seen Tara Fitzgerald work the camera before, but this time it's official: I'm in love. Tara, you can play flügelhorn with me any time. Ewan, keep at the acting lessons.
  • YLOWBSTARDreturns
    October 23, 2007
    YLOWBSTARDreturns
    One of the best FEEL GOOD movies ever made. On par with the Full Monty. A complete gem.
  • thmtsang
    July 15, 2007
    thmtsang
    Movie about a brass band against the backdrop of coal mining.
  • jjnxn
    April 7, 2007
    jjnxn
    lovely little gem with wonderful brass band score
  • garyX
    March 20, 2007
    garyX
    Sigh...yet another british comedy, the usual formula strictly adhered to, this time with a brass band. The cast is definitely a cut above the usual, but what's the point...?
  • mjgildea
    February 13, 2007
    mjgildea
    I was it once and remember thinking it was okay. I can't tell you any more. The walls have ears...
  • kiriyamakazou
    May 29, 2006
    kiriyamakazou
    A British classic. Not so much a comedy as a moving drama with incredible performances from all. Perfectly captures the decay of the mining industry, while not sacrificing the romance and charm. Bless.

View All Brassed Off Reviews

Critic Reviews

Susan Wloszczyna
January 1, 2000
Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today

A shining ensemble cast that hits all the right notes makes Brassed Off toot sweet.

Michael Dequina
October 14, 2005
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

An accessible, entertaining package that is at once formulaic and cliché-busting. Full Review

James Sanford
December 18, 2004
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette

Touching story is a good early showcase for McGregor

Rich Cline
September 19, 2004
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

fun but overrated

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
August 23, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Stirring film about losing your job and reclaiming your soul. Full Review

Karina Montgomery
July 9, 2001
Karina Montgomery, Cinerina

Pete Postlethwaite's best film this summer!

Lisa Schwarzbaum
September 7, 2011
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

April 12, 2002
Globe and Mail

Click to read the article Full Review

January 1, 2000
Houston Chronicle

No review available.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

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