In the aftermath of the Civil Wars in 1649, a sect of impoverished men and women, known as the Diggers (or Levellers) formed a communal settlement in Surrey under the leadership of a revolutionary idealist, Gerrard Winstanley. They incurred the resentment of local people stirred up by the parson. On a budget of 30,000 pounds the filmmakers show meticulous respect for history in pruning away the speculative aspects of the novel and scant regard for the conventions of historical drama on film in recreating the erosion of a dream. Also available on VHS and 16mm.
Credits: Producers, directors, Kevin Brownlow, Andrew Mollo photography, Ernest Vincze ; editing, Sarah Ellis.
Cast: Miles Halliwell ; Jerome Willis, Terry Higgins, Phil Oliver.
Note: Based on the novel ‘Comrade Jacob’ by David Caute.
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How to watch
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
F000052
Language
English
Subject categories
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Levellers
Feature films → Feature films - Great Britain
History → Great Britain -- History -- Commonwealth and Protectorate, 1649-1660
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Black and White
Holdings
35mm film; Limited Access Print (Section 2)