One of the all-time great British comedy-dramas as far as I'm concerned. It has spiky, earthy humour, a strong political message, and a huge heart. Pete Postlethwaite is fabulous as the band's enthusiastic conductor, Ewan McGregor and Tara Fitzgerald play it just right as old flames trying awkwardly to pick up where they left off, but it's TV star Stephen Tompkinson (Ballykissangel, Wild at Heart) who delivers the performance of his life here, as a struggling trombonist almost beaten by life's misfortunes--I say almost, because when you see his face full of teary defiance during his band's heartfelt rendition of Londonderry Aire, realising what it means to him, you'll feel everything this superb film wants you to about the plight of working class men and women (in this case coal miners) given the shaft by Margaret Thatcher's government. Unmissable.

It's the 90s Yorkshire, England. Gloria Mullins (Tara Fitzgerald) is assigned to her hometown of Grimley to evaluate the coal mine. The Thatcher government is closing coal mines all throughout the country and replacing them with nuclear power. The Grimley Colliery Brass band is a beloved tradition and almost as old as the mine. Gloria plays the flugelhorn and joins the band. She reconnects with childhood love Andy Barrow (Ewan McGregor). Sick band leader Danny Ormondroyd (Pete Postlethwaite) tries to rally the dispirited men.This is not necessarily a feel-good movie. It has the light quirky moments in a movie dealing with some darker working class matters. This is a place broken by the inevitable closure. This is not an uplifting story about the little guys overcoming great odds to save the mine. There is no solidarity. It is a great slice of a crumbling pie. Tara and Ewan are a good looking pair. It's Pete Postlethwaite that truly steals the audience's heart.

For any American worker who may be feeling a bit under-appreciated – relax! No one does working-class anger and analysis like our British cousins from across the sea. Brassed Off takes place in Grimley, a small mining village in Worchestershire, England, threatened by the possibility of their mine closing. Tara Fitzgerald plays Gloria Mullen, a surveyor for the Grimley Mining Company, whose job is to create a study that she thinks will keep Grimley open and save jobs. "My figures show Grimley has a future. It's a profitable pit," she tells Andy, her friend, fellow band member, and old flame. Ewan MacGregor, as Andy Barrow, is one hard realist who schools her in the ways of management's shady plans over coffee one night."You're report means as much to them as we do. . . bugger all. . . And those good eggs at the head office think they've done all they can. Oh dear. . . they've been very fair, very reasonable. Done their best, done their sums and - oh dear - they just don't add up! They'll have to close another pit – a shame – and they probably made their decision why you were still in college." Gloria can't understand why Andy will vote to keep the mine open then, if the majority of miners will be voting for "redundancy" - to close the mine and take a buy-out. "No hope – just principles", he replies. Amid the backdrop of this drama, Gloria and Andy's budding relationship suffers a few bumps and bruises along the way. A few of the more vocal Grimley Colliery Brass Band members accuse Andy of being a scab and Gloria a management sellout until almost the bitter end. The film intersperses strike scenes and family crisis's with rousing band numbers, as they practice for a musical competition. The late – and great – Peter Postlethwaite, portrays Danny, the orchestra's leader – in good times and bad. The musical numbers represent the spirit of the town as the villagers grapple with their pressure and problems. He encourages the band members to keep going, no matter what, even if it means the further deterioration of his own poor health. Danny believes that the band can win fist prize, which symbolizes their collective spirit - undaunted and unbowed.During her viability study report to management, Gloria discovers that Andy's predictions are all-too accurate, right down to the timing of their decision to close Grimley. Gloria discovers that she too has principles and resigns her cushy position, which ultimately enables the band to travel to the band finals at Albert Hall. The band plays on, all the way to Albert Hall, even though many of the members are cynical and demoralized, knowing that their lives will be forever changed as a result of management's callous actions. And although Grimley closes, Danny and Gloria are able to rally the Grimley Brass Banders to play their hearts out in London at the National Band Competition, winning first place. Danny: ". . .over the last ten years, this bloody government has systematically destroyed an entire industry. OUR industry. And not just our industry - our communities, our homes, our lives. All in the name of "progress". And for a few lousy bob. I'll tell you something else you might not know, as well. A fortnight ago, this band's pit were closed - another thousand men lost their jobs. And that's not all they lost. Most of them lost the will to win a while ago. A few of them even lost the will to fight. But when it comes to losing the will to live, to breathe, the point is - if this lot were seals or whales, you'd all be up in bloody arms. But their not, are they, no, no they're not. They're just ordinary common-or-garden honest, decent human beings. And not one of them with an ounce of bloody hope left. Oh aye, they can knock out a bloody good tune. But what the f*#k does that matter? And now I'm going to take my boys out onto the town. Thank you." See what I mean?

Minor spoilers ahoy...Yes I realise this is more a tribute to the man than the film, but frankly I don't care.Steven Spielberg worked with Pete Postlethwaite on Jurassic Park and is quoted as saying Pete was "probably the best actor in the world" and who can disagree? Brassed Off is on TV right now as I type this, being shown in tribute to Pete and in it I believe he reached the pinnacle of his career.I lived through the Thatcher years with miners strikes and the subsequent closer of the pits and heavy industry putting millions on the dole. I was there at a strike meeting held outside a local heavy industry site where thousands were later thrown on the scrap heap. The speech given by Pete at the end of the film sums it up exactly, he delivers it with such passion, I feel that he actually meant it.The supporting cast are superb, not a weak character or actor, but Pete nails this and it is even more poignant that he played a character riddled with cancer. He will be sadly missed."Stop this racket, you'll wake up in the next ward".RIP mate.