Bill Douglas' very British film about the Tolpuddle Martyrs - 1830s Dorset farm labourers who formed a union to protest against subsistence wages, only to be deported to Australia for their troubles - is an understated epic, that wisely foregoes an excess of historical detail and political polemics. Instead the film is a very poetic and visually striking account of the birth of the modern British labour movement, and as such is a fascinating piece of historical cinema; in addition to this the film is billed as a 'Lanternist's Account', and explores various modes of pre-cinematic modes of storytelling, which is a fascinating subject in itself. Don't let the three hour running time put you off - I found the film to be gripping from start to finish.

While it avoids any obvious hectoring or political rage, Douglas' views on the hypocrisy and inequality of the British class system are readily apparent and we are always on the side of the unionists. There is a deeply felt concern for the suffering of the innocent, or those down the lower ends of the social ladder, and the skill of 'Comrades' is to get this across to the viewer without too much dialogue or obvious, sentimental, manipulation.

It is a tragedy that this was Bill Douglas' last film - he died of cancer soon after - as this is a striking, intelligent and unusual film about a neglected piece of history. Essential.