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A Sense Of Freedom

(Not Yet Reviewed)

Based on the autobiography of former criminal Jimmy Boyle 1979's A Sense Of Freedom was one of the most controversial and influential dramas of its time. Directed by John Mackenzie (The Long Good Friday) and featuring the camerawork of Oscar-winning cinematographer Chris Menges (The Mission; The Killing Fields) it was justifiably hailed by critics and the public alike for its unflinching depiction of prison life and criminal rehabilitation. A Sense Of Freedom tells the moving and ultimately uplifting story of Jimmy Boyle. Born and bred on the tough streets of Glasgow's notorious Gorbals area Boyle followed in his criminal father's footsteps to become one of the city's most well-known and most violent racketeering hardmen. His life of crime came to a sudden end in the late 1960s when he was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a rival gangster. Incarcerated in the controversial special rehabilitation unit of Glasgow's infamous Barlinnie Prison Boyle discovers the meaning of rough justice when full of rage and hostility he attempts to take on the prison system and the authority of the wardens in the only way he knows how. Slowly and painfully he comes to realise there is more to life than violence and crime as he begins the long process of turning his life around. An extremely powerful film A Sense Of Freedom perfectly illustrates the futility and severe brutality of life behind bars. It is also a deeply moving testament to the strength of the human spirit and a reminder that in life it is never too late to change for the better. Starring David Hayman (Trial And Retribution) and Fulton Mackay (Porridge) the film features original music by legendary blues artists Frankie Miller and Rory Gallagher.

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