Pride - review

Based on a true story, Pride tells the tale of how in 1984 a group of gay activists decided to support another group who were suffering bad press: the miners.

At the end of a gay pride rally, Mark Ashton decides that while the police, media and public are giving gay people a break from harassment, their focus is now on the miners who deserve support and a helping hand and so creates LGSM – Lesbians & Gays Support the Miners.

Along with his friends including in the closet Joe, they start collecting money to support the miners and their families, but when it’s received, many of the mining community aren’t happy with where it came from.

With half the council keen to invite the group to a local meeting to thank them, Mark and his friends make their way from London to Wales to meet the people they’ve supported, but despite their effort and fundraising, not everyone is pleased to meet them.

However despite the homophobia from some of the miners, the group find friends among the community who welcome them in and treat them like family with friendships made solid by return mutual trips between them throughout the year.

A year later when the miners’ strike is over, as LGSM prepare to join the London Gay Pride parade once again, they find the miners return the support they were given during their time of need and arrive to march up front with their new friends showing that despite their differences, true friendships really were created.

Truly inspiring and uplifting, this movie was a joy to watch and boasted great performances from a great cast including Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West & Ben Schnetzer.

I loved watching this movie and could watch it again and again.

This movie is a must watch if only to witness the importance of support & friendship.