1984 Miners Strike
While the film Billy Elliot is fictional, the story itself is set against the backdrop of a real event in history.
The 1984 Miner's Strike has been described as one of the longest and most violent protests known in English history and an understanding of this context is essential in fully understanding and appreciating the adversity that Billy as a character must overcome in striving for his goal and moving 'into the world'.
A Brief Summary
In 1984, the UK Government under the rule of Margaret Thatcher sought to close approximately 20 mines or 'pits', stating that they were inefficient and unprofitable. This was to result in approximately 20,000 jobs cuts and for many communities, including the town of Durham where Billy Elliot is set, it would spell the end of their main source of employment and income.
Numerous strikes began at various sites in protest against the pit closures. Ultimately, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) announced that the individual strikes were to become a national movement.
During the strike there were numerous clashes with police, many of whom were 'shipped in' to the striking communities from the city in order to keep the peace, including riot police and mounted police. While the protests were ultimately supposed to be peaceful, a number of violent clashes occurred between police and miners, with police charging picket lines on horseback and assaulting protesters with truncheons.
The 1984 Miner's Strike has been described as one of the longest and most violent protests known in English history and an understanding of this context is essential in fully understanding and appreciating the adversity that Billy as a character must overcome in striving for his goal and moving 'into the world'.
A Brief Summary
In 1984, the UK Government under the rule of Margaret Thatcher sought to close approximately 20 mines or 'pits', stating that they were inefficient and unprofitable. This was to result in approximately 20,000 jobs cuts and for many communities, including the town of Durham where Billy Elliot is set, it would spell the end of their main source of employment and income.
Numerous strikes began at various sites in protest against the pit closures. Ultimately, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) announced that the individual strikes were to become a national movement.
During the strike there were numerous clashes with police, many of whom were 'shipped in' to the striking communities from the city in order to keep the peace, including riot police and mounted police. While the protests were ultimately supposed to be peaceful, a number of violent clashes occurred between police and miners, with police charging picket lines on horseback and assaulting protesters with truncheons.