30. Mothers Of The Revolution; movie review

 

MOTHERS OF THE REVOLUTION

Cert 15

103 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong violence, discrimination, disturbing scenes

Apparently, Mikhail Gorbachev was referring to the Greenham Common women when he said the European peace movement had partly prompted his decision to meet the US president, Ronald Reagan in 1986.

The result of the The Reykjavík summit led a year later to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union.

So, the protestors, who UK Defence Secretary Michael Heseltine threatened to have shot, played a significant part in making the world a safer place.

Mothers Of The Revolution doesn't delve too deeply into the personal cost for the campaigners who began by marching on the US Air Base and set up a camp which would be the home to many for years.

There is little doubt that their commitment caused huge family rifts but they saw their battle to stop the arms race as the bigger, more important picture.

During Briar March's documentary, the women add their memories to a chronicle of the protest which had a much wider impact that they could ever have imagined.

The excellent narration of Glenda Jackson gives the viewer context.

Karmen Thomas tells how the Government's information films about the four-minute warning in the event of nuclear war caused her so much anxiety that she felt compelled to act.

Thus, she began to formulate thoughts around the kitchen table of her home in Wales and began a peace movement..

Rebecca Johnson became the face of the protesters but also tells stories of incredible defiance in the face of a harsh establishment.

She speaks very eloquently about the atmosphere of the camp, their success and the rather surprising trips to meet the unheralded Soviet counterparts.

Yes, these women even caused ripples in Moscow as was evidenced later by Gorbachev.

There are also stories of self-discovery by the campaigners on several levels .

Nowadays, protest movements seem to have less vigour than they did in the 80s which is rather surprising considering some of the woeful shenanigans in parliament.

Perhaps people were more idealistic and thought they could change the world back then. It turns out that they did and March's film reflects that thoroughly.

Reasons to watch: A reminder of one of the great British protests

Reasons to avoid: Background knowledge needed

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? Greenham Common airfield was used as a filming location for the 2015 film Star Wars: The Force Awakens and 2017 film Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

The final word. Rebecca Johnson (protestor): "We didn't feel brave. I was terrified, but nuclear war was much more terrifying." ITV

Share this post