So much average

Fresh and Exciting

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

"Made In Britain" follows Trevor, a 16 year old thug, thief, vandal, sociopath, over a three day period - but in this very short time frame his young life moves out of one phase and into another. Seemingly the consequences of his actions will have repercussions for the rest of his life and the phase he moves into is one destined to take him on a path to 'self destruction'.Set in London, 1982, the film was based on a case study of a youth. Trevor in the story is a skinhead with a nazi swastika tattooed on his forehead. He espouses racism and nationalist rhetoric, and commits racially aggravated attack on a Pakistani household - although whether he is an outright racist is debatable, as his only 'friend' in the film, Errol, is a black youth.The film begins with Trevor attending a court hearing, for an earlier attack on the Pakistani household. The motive for the crime appears to be racial. The court hearing adjourned, Trevor is taken by Harry, his social worker, to a Youth Assessment Hostel. Here Trevor will be assessed before returning to court for sentence and standing before the Magistrates charged with theft from a department store.Trevor has the appearance of an unrepentant thug and hooligan - and espouses the rhetoric of a far-right nationalist, full of aggression and venom. However, as it unfolds during the film's central piece (a very long sequence between Trevor and the social workers) Trevor transpires to be intelligent. He has argument and structure to his rhetoric, he has sharp wit and an observant grasp of society beyond his years. By the end of the sequence, whether Trevor is the 'nazi' we thought him to be, is questionable.Trevor, it would seem, is 'against authority' and namely against the British establishment - the system - although he prizes himself on his 'Britishness'. He is perhaps a kind of anarchic-patriot.The film is a masterfully crafted and acted piece of cinematic drama. It is earthy and in your face, has fantastic energy - in part owing to skillful use of stedicam - and like most, if not all of Alan Clark's films, does not use music or score. There is a fast aggressive punk song used to very good effect but only in the film's opening and closing titles."Made In Britain" is a tour de force, set among only several back street London locations, with a minimal amount of characters. The characters, though some only occupy one or two scenes, are interestingly multi-layered, such as PC Anson - the thuggish, possibly sadistic policeman who beats Trevor in a cell. Anson is perhaps Trevor's counterpart but who instead has opted to work for the state rather than to rebel against it.The acting is superb, first rate. The screen writing and direction are fantastic. Highly recommended.

Written by David Leland and directed by Alan Clarke, Made in Britain was originally broadcast on the BBC as part of a quartet of pieces dubbed Tales Out of School, all of which shared a focus on Britain's educational system. The films, all written by Leland, were a reaction to Margaret Thatchers political regime, and Made in Britain depicts the sort of character that was emerging from the increasingly violent and racist youth culture of the time.When we first meet Trevor (Tim Roth in his debut), he is being tried in court for throwing a brick through a Pakistani family's window and shoplifting. Defiant to the very end, the 20 year-old neo-Nazi with a swastika tattooed on his face is sent to an Assessment Centre while his fate is determined. There he shares a room with a black teenager with learning difficulties who he takes with him to the Job Centre where he throws a brick through a window and steals a car. Trevor is told by the superintendent that time and time again Trevor has ensured his life will result in an endless cycle of poverty, crime and prison, and this is his last chance to make a choice.Roth is a ferocious force of nature as Trevor. Alan Clarke's films always manage to turn its despicable lead into a charismatic, and almost sympathetic, human being. Normally, someone like Trevor would be an unbearable character to spend 70 minutes with, but Roth, Leland and Clarke make him into a fascinating embodiment of nihilism. The moment during his late-night rampage when he stares perplexed at a shop display of an idealistic family makes for a powerful social message. Everything is "bollocks" and everybody is a "wanker", but there's an empathy to be had with his complete disillusionment with the system. He doesn't even come across a particularly racist, it's almost like it's just another thing for him to hate. Surely one of the best TV movies ever, and a great achievement for the BBC during one of its most creative periods.

The movie doesn't emphasize to the reasons that led anti-hero Trevor to this situation but shows the uncontrollable anger of a young man who's dealing with everything that surrounds him (historically that time was very tough for the English people due to Thatcherism). Obviously the director is attending to the English viewers so some may misunderstood his well-meaning intentions. Trevor has no any political relation with fascism or Nazis. Try to remember that scene where Trevor says to his black "fellow" Errol that he's leaving because he has to find his mates. There are no mates! His not going to find his mates. He has create in his mind a pseudo-world of fighters against society no matter what kind of fighters they are, no matter what's their political background. He have to express that anger in a way that has no matter what truly represents. If you see Trevor looks much more with an anarchist than a Nazi (it's not accidental that the intro song is from the anarchic band "The Exploited"). Even Errol is so confused in that confusing time in British history that he's willing to do harm to his homeopaths that is Paki's. Yesterday I saw the film "This Is England" which is close to the main subject of "Made in Britain". It is also a masterwork and i recommend to everyone!

WOW! I am a child of the Thatcher era, and as a 12 year old when this movie was made ( probably 14 to 15 by the time I viewed it! ) I had a small recollection of certain scenes from the movie ( mainly the pissing and shitting on the files ) I have to say, that now at the age of 35 and watching this movie for the second time I was totally blown away by Tim Roth's performance!! What a great actor! I have obviously seen him in other movies such as Pulp Fiction, but did not recognise him as a actor in his own right, Until now! I will definitely seek out all his roles on IMDb, and follow his career, I was blown away by his acting skills in Made in Britain, and will now recognise him as a stand alone actor rather than just another face amongst many talented actors ( which is what I thought during pulp fiction ) Thank you ENGLAND, British, U.K , for the most talented actors and the best of British films :o) This one is timeless to all of us who lived the 80's and more!a must see film, no matter you religion, faith or background, the acting alone is worth a view