Watch The Ploughman's Lunch

The Ploughman's Lunch is a political thriller drama movie that was first released in 1983. The film was directed by Richard Eyre and stars Jonathan Pryce, Paul Jesson, and William Maxwell in the lead roles. The movie is set in England in the early 1980s and focuses on the life of journalist James Penfield, who is played by Pryce. The Ploughman's Lunch is a tense and thought-provoking movie that explores themes of deception, manipulation, and propaganda. The story takes place in the wake of the Falklands War, and Penfield is working for a newspaper that is owned by a media baron with strong right-wing views. Penfield, who is portrayed as a somewhat disenchanted journalist, becomes involved in a dangerous game of political intrigue when he is asked to write an article about a young radical who was killed by the police.

As the story unfolds, Penfield discovers that he has unwittingly become involved in a web of lies, deceit, and corruption that stretches to the highest levels of British society. He is torn between his loyalty to his profession and his growing awareness of the sinister forces that are at work behind the scenes. As he delves deeper into the story, he finds that his life is in danger, and that he must choose between telling the truth and protecting himself and his loved ones.

One of the key themes of The Ploughman's Lunch is the role of the media in shaping public opinion. The movie portrays the media as a powerful tool that can be used to manipulate the masses and create a sense of nationalistic fervor. The media baron who owns the newspaper where Penfield works is portrayed as a shadowy figure who exercises immense control over the editorial content of the paper, and who is not above using underhanded tactics to get what he wants.

Another major theme of The Ploughman's Lunch is the tension between loyalty to one's country and loyalty to one's conscience. Penfield is torn between his desire to be a loyal citizen and his growing realization that the government is involved in a cover-up of some kind. He is also torn between his loyalty to his newspaper and his growing awareness that the paper is being used as a propaganda tool to promote a certain agenda.

One of the strengths of The Ploughman's Lunch is its strong performances. Jonathan Pryce gives a nuanced and compelling performance as James Penfield, a man who is struggling to reconcile his ideals with the harsh realities of the world around him. Paul Jesson is also excellent as the media baron, who is both menacing and charismatic in equal measure.

The film is also notable for its clever use of visual imagery. The movie features a series of striking and memorable images, including a sequence in which a group of British soldiers march through a village, and another in which a large flag is unfurled from the top of a building. These images help to reinforce the movie's central themes and create a sense of unease and tension that permeates throughout the film.

In summary, The Ploughman's Lunch is a captivating political thriller that is well worth watching. The film explores complex themes of loyalty, deception, and propaganda and is elevated by strong performances from its cast. The movie is a reminder that the media can be used as a powerful tool for both good and evil, and that the struggle between truth and propaganda is an ongoing one.

The Ploughman's Lunch is a 1983 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.