This Is England 2007
Directed by
Shane Meadows
Made by
IFC Films
Plot Summary
Discover the intricate plot of This Is England (2007). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
In July 1983, we meet Shaun, a troubled 12-year-old boy living with his widowed mother in a nondescript area in the East Midlands. Alienated and often antagonized at school and in his community, Shaun’s painful journey begins on the last day of school when he gets into a physical altercation with a boy named Harvey. After Harvey mocks Shaun for his bell-bottom trousers and makes a hurtful joke about his father—who perished in the Falklands War—Shaun leaves in distress.
On his way home, Shaun encounters a gang of young skinheads led by Richard “Woody” Woodford, who offers him compassion and invites him to join their group. There, he meets Milky, the only black member; Pukey; Kes; and the overweight, slow-witted Gadget. Although there are initial conflicts, Shaun quickly forms a bond with Woody, whom he sees as an elder brother, and Woody’s girlfriend, Lorraine “Lol” Jenkins, who tends to him like a mother. Shaun also develops a crush on Michelle, nicknamed Smell, an older girl with a flair for the New Romantic style.
After one night at a party, the gang faces a harrowing ambush by a bald, tattooed man wielding a machete, only for it to reveal itself as a prank led by Andrew “Combo” Gascoigne, a former first-wave skinhead just out of prison. Combo, a charismatic yet unstable figure, starts pushing nationalist and racist rhetoric that alienates Woody, Lol, and others, creating tension within the group. When he brings up the Falklands War, Shaun reveals the truth about his father’s death, which Combo exploits to sway the impressionable boy to his side, ensuing a division in the gang.
Feeling an odd sense of fatherhood from Combo, Shaun navigates through Combo’s increasingly toxic leadership that involves attending a National Front meeting. On the way back, when Pukey questions their racist direction, Combo reacts violently, throwing him out of the car and subjecting him to a brutal verbal attack. The gang’s actions escalate as they vandalize property, intimidate neighborhood kids, and threaten local shopkeeper Mr. Sandhu under Combo’s orders, forcing Shaun—banned from the shop—to hurl insults in a fit of bigotry.
As Combo’s obsession with Lol deepens, his rejection sends him into a dark spiral. His envy peaks during a drug-fueled evening with Milky, where Combo’s bitterness leads him to brutally assault Milky when he learns of his happy upbringing. Shaun finds himself thrust into a horrifying situation where he tries to defend Milky, only to be violently tossed out by Combo, who soon realizes the grave consequences of his actions. In a moment filled with remorse, he weeps for Milky’s fate, and Shaun eventually takes him to the hospital.
In the aftermath, Shaun reflects on the turmoil and aggression surrounding him. In a somber scene, he gazes at a photo of his deceased father, contemplating the chaos that has engulfed him. His mother, Cynthia, reassures him about Milky’s condition, while Shaun’s journey culminates at the beach, where he casts his St George’s Flag—a gift from Combo—into the waves, symbolizing his determination to distance himself from the hatred and pain that had so deeply rooted itself in his life.
Timeline
Track the key events of This Is England (2007) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Introduction of Shaun
In July 1983, we are introduced to Shaun, a 12-year-old boy living with his widowed mother in the East Midlands. He struggles with feelings of alienation at school and harbors deep emotional pain from the loss of his father in the Falklands War.
Altercation with Harvey
Shaun experiences a tumultuous last day of school when he gets into a physical altercation with a boy named Harvey. The fight stems from hurtful taunts about Shaun's bell-bottom trousers and a cruel joke about his father's death, leaving Shaun deeply distressed.
Meeting the Skinheads
On his way home, Shaun encounters a gang of young skinheads led by Richard 'Woody' Woodford. Woody shows compassion towards Shaun and invites him to join their group, offering him a sense of belonging he has been missing.
Forming Bonds
As Shaun becomes part of Woody's gang, he quickly bonds with Woody and his girlfriend, Lorraine 'Lol' Jenkins. Shaun also meets Milky, the only black member of the group, Pukey, Kes, and Gadget, creating new friendships that help him escape his loneliness.
Crush on Michelle
While adapting to his new friendship dynamics, Shaun develops a crush on the older girl, Michelle, nicknamed 'Smell'. Her New Romantic style captivates him, adding another layer to his coming-of-age experience.
Prank Gone Wrong
During a party, the gang faces an alarming ambush by a bald, tattooed man wielding a machete. This frightening incident turns out to be a prank orchestrated by Andrew 'Combo' Gascoigne, a charismatic yet dangerously unstable former skinhead.
Combo's Influence
Combo begins to influence the gang with his nationalist and racist ideology, causing a rift within the group. His unstable nature alienates Woody, Lol, and others, as he tries to exert control over Shaun by tapping into his father's tragic history.
Attending the National Front Meeting
Under Combo's persuasion, Shaun attends a National Front meeting, further entrenching he and the gang in Combo's increasingly toxic views. This marks a turning point, reflecting the negative turn in Shaun's life as he gets swept up in the growing hostility.
Violence Erupts
The gang's actions escalate, leading to property vandalism and intimidation of local children. Combo's violent tendencies come to the forefront when he throws Pukey out of the car, punishing him for questioning their racist direction and creating fear among his friends.
Combo's Descent
Combo's obsession with Lol deepens, leading him down a dark spiral of rage and resentment. Consumed by his feelings, he violently assaults Milky in a fit of jealousy, showcasing his deteriorating mental state and the dangers of his toxic masculinity.
Shaun's Attempt to Help
Shaun attempts to defend Milky during the brutal assault but is thrown aside by Combo. The aftermath of the incident leaves Shaun shocked and disillusioned as he takes Milky to the hospital, realizing the severity of the situation and the darkness surrounding him.
Reflection and Regret
After the chaos, Shaun reflects on the aggression and turmoil that has consumed his life. He gazes at a photo of his deceased father, grappling with feelings of loss and the influence of Combo's hatred on his life.
Final Conversations
Shaun's mother, Cynthia, reassures him about Milky's condition, creating a moment of emotional connection. This discussion helps Shaun begin to process his experiences and the relationships he values amidst the chaos.
Casting Away the Flag
In a poignant moment at the beach, Shaun casts away the St George's Flag, a gift from Combo, into the waves. This act symbolizes Shaun's determination to distance himself from the toxic environment and hatred that has been woven into his life.
Characters
Meet the characters that bring This Is England (2007) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Shaun
Shaun is a 12-year-old boy grappling with loss and searching for belonging in a harsh environment. Though troubled, he possesses a resilient spirit that propels him to seek connection, often leading him into complex situations within the gang dynamics. His character embodies the innocence of youth caught in a tumultuous world.
Richard "Woody" Woodford
Woody is a charismatic leader of the skinhead gang, who represents a sense of brotherhood and protection for Shaun. His well-intentioned nature often clashes with Combo's aggressive tendencies, revealing his struggle to maintain the group's moral compass. Woody serves as an older brother figure, guiding Shaun through his turbulent journey.
Combo
Combo is a complex and volatile character, embodying the darker aspects of masculinity and misguided loyalty. Fresh from prison, he becomes a negative influence within the gang, exploiting Shaun's vulnerabilities for his own gain. His descent into violence serves as a cautionary tale about the impact of toxic leadership.
Lorraine "Lol" Jenkins
Lol is Woody's girlfriend and a motherly figure for Shaun within the group. Her nurturing nature offers Shaun a sense of comfort amidst the chaos. As the story progresses, Lol becomes increasingly conflicted about Combo's influence, symbolizing the struggles between personal desires and collective identity.
Milky
Milky is the only black member of the gang, who represents diversity within the group. Initially, he is a symbol of unity and acceptance; however, he later becomes a victim of Combo's xenophobic ideology. His character underscores the theme of friendship challenged by prejudice and reveals the damaging effects of racism.
Setting
Uncover the settings of This Is England (2007), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
July 1983
The early 1980s were marked by significant social and political changes in the UK, including rising youth culture and national unrest. This period saw the emergence of various youth subcultures, including skinheads, and was influenced by economic challenges and class tensions. Shaun's coming-of-age story unravels amidst this volatile landscape.
Location
East Midlands
The East Midlands is a varied region in England known for its industrial heritage and cultural diversity. This setting provides a backdrop for Shaun's struggles and connections with the skinhead gang. The area embodies a mix of social issues, reflected in Shaun's experiences of alienation and belonging.
Themes
Explore the core themes of This Is England (2007). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
🕊️
Identity
This film deeply explores the theme of identity, particularly through Shaun's turbulent journey as he seeks acceptance and belonging. His interactions with different characters shape his understanding of himself amidst conflicting ideologies. The struggle to define personal identity against external influences and peer pressure is central to the narrative.
⚔️
Violence
Violence is a prominent theme in 'This Is England', manifesting through both physical confrontations and emotional turmoil. The character of Combo embodies this aggressive tendency, influencing Shaun and the gang to engage in acts of intimidation and bigotry. The destructive nature of this violence highlights the consequences it imposes on individuals and relationships.
🤝
Brotherhood
Brotherhood is portrayed through Shaun's relationship with Woody and the skinhead gang, contrasting the inherent tensions within their group. As Shaun searches for a father figure, he initially finds solace in this camaraderie. However, as influences shift, the bonds are tested, revealing how fragile these alliances can become in the face of moral dilemmas.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.