Mike Leigh

Peterloo Mike Leigh

British historical drama following the events which culminated in the Peterloo massacre at St. Peter's Field, Manchester in 1819. As the Napoleonic Wars reached an end, political unrest struck the nation as ongoing stretches of famine, unemployment and the introduction of the Corn Laws began to stir the working classes.

A demonstration took place on 16th August led by Henry Hunt (Rory Kinnear) with the intention to challenge the government and propose parliamentary reform. Their hopes were soon diminished, however, when a cavalry charged in to the massive crowd, causing the situation to turn deadly.