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Strike: When Britain Went to War

Twenty years ago, Britain went to war - with itself. In March 1984, Mrs Thatcher's government announced plans to close 20 coal mines, with the loss of 20,000 jobs. The Miners' leader, Arthur Scargill, led his workers out on strike. What followed was the ultimate left verses right showdown, a colossal battle for the political heart of a nation, with an epoch-making, era-defining moment of social significance unparalleled since World War II. This feature length documentary tells the story of the year-long struggle that split friends, families and the country apart, led to shocking scenes of violence, and made many fear that George Orwell's nightmare vision of a police state was becoming a reality. After this war, Britain would never be the same again.

Top Cast

  • Sarah Lancashire

    Sarah Lancashire

    Self - Narrator(voice)

  • Arthur Scargill

    Arthur Scargill

    Self (archive footage)

  • Margaret Thatcher

    Margaret Thatcher

  • Tim Bell

    Tim Bell

  • Tony Benn

    Tony Benn

  • Boris Johnson

    Boris Johnson

    Self - Student, Oxford, 1984

  • Neil Kinnock

    Neil Kinnock

    Self - Labour Leader, 1984

  • Kelvin MacKenzie

    Kelvin MacKenzie

    Self - Editor, The Sun, 1984

  • Matthew Parris

    Matthew Parris

    Self - Conservative, 1984

Overview

Twenty years ago, Britain went to war - with itself. In March 1984, Mrs Thatcher's government announced plans to close 20 coal mines, with the loss of 20,000 jobs. The Miners' leader, Arthur Scargill, led his workers out on strike. What followed was the ultimate left verses right showdown, a colossal battle for the political heart of a nation, with an epoch-making, era-defining moment of social significance unparalleled since World War II. This feature length documentary tells the story of the year-long struggle that split friends, families and the country apart, led to shocking scenes of violence, and made many fear that George Orwell's nightmare vision of a police state was becoming a reality. After this war, Britain would never be the same again.

Rating

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