This film is based on the true story of the 1831 Peasant’s Revolt in England against the tyranny of King Richard. Half of the country was killed by the Plague and Andrew Garfield plays a survivor who leads the angry mass to London. The story alternates between this venture and the response from the court. Writer/director Paul Greengrass has crafted an interesting history lesson, but the characters lack any depth and there’s virtually no emotional connection. Actually, the actor who plays the adolescent king (Woody Norman) has some of the more expressive moments. The trek is not especially compelling, but Greengrass has used his action skills to add some violent encounters. After the climax, there’s a “one year later” that seems like a weird coda to the story. Overall, more this is more a history lesson than compelling cinema. 2.5 out of 5.0 stars
