The Good and the Bad Skins
This is England is the story about the 12 year old boy Shaun (played by Thomas Turgoose). Shaun is desperately trying to fit in after the death of his father during the Falkland’s war. Shaun lives in the England together with his mother, at school he is bullied, but Shaun is soon to run in to the group of local skinheads. This group invites him in, in spite of the large age difference. Together the group hangs out and causes a number of harmless assaults. Until one day Combo a former member of the group returns from prison with new nationalistic ideologies and with these he splits op the group.

One of the great things about this film is that not only does is tell us about the young confused Shaun growing up. It also illustrates the environment of England during the 80’ties with a more detailed view of the group of skinheads and the feeling of nationalism that were spreading. It describes the multiple consequences England was dealing with at the time. But at the same time manage to display both the positive and negative side of being a part of a group of skinheads.
Also the film succeeds to portrait two highly different groups of skinheads, where one of the groups cares more about friendship and fun than the other.

This is England is a very violent movie that contains lot of drama and aggressive scenes. But at the same time the film manage to become incredible hilarious which for instance is because of the language that is used, which contains a lot of cursing and a lot of humour.

The music in the film supports the themes and feelings really good. Some of the music gives us a clearer insight in the culture of the 80’ties (for example the reggae song playing in the intro). While other songs are put in to the film to describe the feelings more distinctly.
Also a lot of thoughts has been put into the filming of the film, which without a doubt is done to provoke certain feelings from the viewers. For example in the start of the film, we see Shaun walk down a beach alone, and the camera zooms out. This makes Shaun seem more small and alone.

Already in the intro of the film, we are introduced to what we have to expect in the actual film. The intro starts with a children’s program from the 80’ties followed by a number of joyful incidents that has happened in England during the time period. The intro develops in a more violent way and finishes with scenes from the Falklands War where we see dying man that you could assume would be Shaun’s father. In conclusion the intro actually in a way shows the growth from child to adult.

The thing about the film is, that nothing is left up to coincidences. Therefore to fully understand the film you have to read a lot between the lines to discover all the hidden meanings with the different characters and the several incidents during the film.

Every character in the film is very remarkable. With everyone we can wonder how he or she ended as a part of the group of skinheads. One of the very significant characters in the film is Combo (played by Stephen Graham). When watching the film we quickly get a clear impression of him, but when thinking about it, we actually have very little knowledge about Combos past and his former relationship with Woody and his girlfriend Lol. Combo is very mysterious, but one thing is for certain, Combo really has a huge effect on the film.

The main theme of the film is the English 80’ties. But what I really like about the film is that the story is told from a young boys perspective. That way the film becomes more emotional and an important theme is therefor also identity, and finding who you want to be.

In conclusion I must say that the film really is worth a watch. Especially if you are interested in an insight in the culture of England during the 80’ties, but also if you just are interested in watching a brilliant made film with highly talented actors and a talented director behind.

I would like to give the film 5 out of 5 stars, because I cannot think of anything that would make it better.