Is Oi For England's Green and Pleasant Land Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2018)

📖 The Core Premise

Oi For England's Green and Pleasant Land returns to the screen in 2018, bringing a fresh narrative to the Documentary genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Playwright Trevor Griffiths' Oi For England, originally set in Moss Side, was first screened by Central TV in April 1982. It was then staged at The Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, directed by the late, then resident director Antonia Bird and featured Paul McGann, Robin Hayter, Dorian Healy, Peter Lovstrom, Paul Moriarty, and Beverley Martin in the cast. The play toured youth clubs and community centres across London in a bid to engage young people in the social and political issues of the day and to unite them against racism and fascism. This film replete with exclusive interviews from Griffiths, musical director Andy Roberts and guests Alan Gilbey (east end writer) and Micky Geggus (Cockney Rejects) looks back at the tour by way of a reunion of the play's original cast and crew almost 30 years later."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In Oi For England's Green and Pleasant Land, even the presence of Robin Hayter struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Oi For England's Green and Pleasant Land worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Oi For England's Green and Pleasant Land misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 45 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.