I have seen this is England a few times and seen majority of the Series This is England ’86. I quite enjoy the film and the series. The series is still very much like the film the only difference is that Shaun is no longer part of the group and of course, a lot older and a few others in the group appear to have more of a chance to speak up and act, a chance to be recognized. In the first few clips we watched from the series, things seem a lot more sexual than that in the film. He is back at home with his mum being nagged to get a job. He comes across with the type of attitude that he doesn’t care… he doesn’t want a job, he cant be bothered to do well in school (as shown in the clip where Shaun is in his final exam).
Okay, so in one part of our media we’ve been focusing on This is England and the attitudes based within the film and also how the director/s have managed to put across certain feelings etc.
At the moment, we are analysing Combo’s introductory scene. While this scene is playing, you are flipped between it and the scene of Smell and Shaun outside…
The scene begins with a party, it includes close ups which allow you to see facial expressions and that everyone’s enjoying themselves, it puts across a happy
atmosphere which allows the viewer to accept that they all feel comfortable around one another and in that type of environment. It shows that even though Milky is a different race to all the others, he is excepted as one of their own, not discriminated against for having a different ethnicity as all the other group members. As this is happening, the scene flicks between the one of Smell and Shaun out in the garden together. This also adds a happy atmosphere as its
It then flicks back to the party inside where all of a sudden, it is interrupted by a forceful knock on the door which adds tension. Everyone inside thinks it is the police and so they do not appear to be very worried. This tension is very soon turned into shock and worry as Banjo bursts through the door putting across avery threatening sense to not only the characters, but also the audience. This feeling then worsens as Banjo begins to swing a very large knife around. At this point, everyone is silent. shows that they are both comfortable with one another. However, this scene very soon becomes negative towards the audience as the kiss between the two of them can be seen as very uncomfortable as there is a
clear viable age gap between them.
Then it shows Combo running into the house, making the audience think that he has come to help the group who are sat in shock while Banjo swings his knife around. This is then changed as he runs into the room screaming and picking Woody up… The tension then created is soon released as the group members soon realise that they know Combo. This then allows the audience to relax.
After this, Combo begins to tell a story… Even though Milky is in the room, and Combo clearly knows he is, it doesn’t stop him from using abusive and threatening language and even though he apologizes to Milky, it doesn’t stop him from using it. The camera then shows the characters facial expressions and body language to show that they are scared and not at all impressed with Combo’s attitude and approach to his story. It also shows Milky’s reaction which show that he, as well is not impressed. However, two of the group members appear to be completely oblivious to the tension created by Combos story and the change in atmosphere. His story, in a way explains Combo without him probably realising, as being a bully.
At this moment, Shaun and Smell enter the room to find the two new additions (Combo and Banjo). At first, tension rises as Combo’s reaction appears to be reluctant towards Shaun at first, as if to show that Combo does not appreciate Shaun and Smell taking the attention off of him as after all, he’s the boss..? Combo comes across as being patronisiong, Shaun maybe reminding Combo of himself when he was younger. Combos reactions show that he could quite possibly find Shaun to be a threat, even though he isn’t.
Kelli Ackerman 