Watch Winstanley

Winstanley is a British historical drama film that was released in 1975. Directed by Kevin Brownlow and Andrew Mollo, this film tells the story of the 17th-century English radical Gerrard Winstanley and his followers, known as the Diggers, who believed in communal land ownership and aimed to create an egalitarian society. The film stars Miles Halliwell as Gerrard Winstanley, the leader of the Diggers, who are portrayed as a group of idealistic and earnest men and women who embark on a journey of creating a utopia in the countryside of England amidst the turbulence of the English Civil War.

At the opening of the movie, we see Winstanley and his followers arriving in a rural area where they plan to establish a settlement, which they call the "True Levellers" or "Diggers." They start by clearing and cultivating the land, but they soon face opposition from the local landowners and the army of Oliver Cromwell.

As the Diggers' settlement begins to grow, they face multiple hurdles, including disruptions from the English Civil War and resistance from traditionalist authorities. They face violence from the soldiers of the Earl of Winchester, the landowner who claims ownership of the land. The Diggers also operate with primitive technology, and they face the challenge of increased infertility of their fields.

The film foregrounds the moral, ethical and philosophical debates around property relations and political systems in the 17th century in England, the oppressive operation of State power, and the eventual failure of the dream of creating a self-sustaining community.

Winstanley is a slow-paced and insightful take on the challenges of idealism that is met by the 'real' world. It depicts the building of a small communal society in the face of staggering adversity, with beautifully shot and crafted scenes of a timeless rural England.

The film is a visual metaphor for the philosophical/political ideas of various characters. The utopianism of Winstanley clashes with the pragmatism of Bamford, one of his Diggers fellow. Bamford critiques the Diggers' idealism on practical grounds, and questions whether idealism can withstand the brutal and oppressive power of the state.

Winstanley also explores themes of spirituality vs materialism. Winstanley repudiates the idea of the ownership of land as a way to access the divine, insisting that God is reachable by all in a community and nature not confined to the power and will of a few.

Overall, this movie unearths an almost-forgotten chapter in English history and provides a fascinating insight into a utopian experiment that, ultimately, was doomed to fail. It is a tale of idealism and precious human endeavor, as well as a stark warning about the oppressiveness of the state.

The performances of the actors are staggering, with Miles Halliwell delivering an outstanding portrayal of an idealistic visionary, a leader who tries to heal the wounds of the country and the people. Also noteworthy is the performance of Jerome Willis, who appears as the Earl of Winchester, representing the ruthless and cruel establishment that refused to recognize the potential of the Diggers' endeavor.

In conclusion, Winstanley is an essential cinematic treasure for any lover of film and history. It is also a must-see for anyone who is interested in the interplay of power, philosophy, religion, and human nature. It remains a well-crafted and insightful period piece that still resonates with modern audiences.