Factory workerTom Curtis has two children and his wife, Anna, is pregnant, putting him under financial pressure. Consequently, he refuses to take part in an unofficial strike, meaning a loss of wages, which he is entitled to do. The strike is planned by outside activist Travers and orchestrated by shop stewardBert Connolly, who concocts spurious demands as part of his campaign to pressure the management into agreeing to a closed shop, giving the union greater influence. Those who continue to work find that their properties are subject to repeated attacks, including bricks through windows and arson, and join the strike out of fear. Curtis alone continues to work ina show of defiance against threats and intimidation. When the strike ends, Curtis is accused of being a scab and sent to Coventry. Then, when anti-union newspapers interview him and report on his plight, Connolly demands his dismissal, backing his demand with a work to rule and overtime ban. Management fears that continued publicity will mean the loss of a major contract, while some workers take matters into their own hands.
The film is also notable for the early appearance of several actors who later went on to become household names, such as Oliver Reed.
Production
was initially considered for the role of Tom Curtis.
Reception
The film received positive reviews in the UK and US. Variety wrote that Guy Green had directed with 'quiet skill, leaving the film to speak for itself'. The film was entered into the 10th Berlin International Film Festival. By 1971 the film made an estimated profit of £58,000. In 1997 Bryan Forbes estimated the profit at £200,000. After the film's release Richard Attenborough visited a working men's club in Aberdare, South Wales, that was refusing to show the film. Many such clubs had banned the film because of its anti-strike plot. However, after Attenborough explained his position on the film, the miners allowed it to be screened. This was important because, during the 1960s, films required such showings to drive ticket sales. Some critics have raised doubts about the politics of the film, particularly with regard to trivialisation of the needs and demands of the workers. Others suggest that the film is also a reflection of British working-class values at the time, such as 'an Englishman's home is his castle'. The aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an audience approval rating of 78%, based on 143 ratings.
