Comrades (1986): A Screening by Circle Dance

Come along to SET Social on 16 May for a rare screening of Bill Douglas’ 1986 film Comrades (1986), a cinematic telling of the history of the Tolpuddle Martyrs. The Martyrs were a group of agricultural workers from Dorset who’s efforts in 1834 to form a ‘friendly society’ – widely recognised as an early form of trade union – earned them deportation arrest and deportation to Australia.

Moving, wild, righteous, rhapsodic and psychedelic, Comrades blends English weirdness, folk horror, socialist history and an insistence on the uplifting power of collectivity with an ensemble cast includes Robin Soans, Keith Allen, Vanessa Redgrave and James Fox, with a great score to boot.

This film is rarely screened, so this is a great opportunity to witness a fantastic piece of cinema celebrating an even prouder history.

Please note: the film has a three-hour runtime so we highly recommend a substantial lunch (and perhaps a strong coffee) beforehand.