BBC's Film 96 films behind the scenes of "Brassed Off" during location filming and interviews writer/director Mark Herman, actors Pete Postlethwaite, Stephen Tompkinson, Ewan McGregor, Jim Carter and Tara Fitzgerald.
I went there with my friend who lives in Huddersfield; I believe it's called "The Piece Hall" because it was where, years ago, wool weavers who worked from home, brought their fabric "pieces" to sell/trade etc.
Full Monty came out at about the same time, but this was I thought the better of the 2 South Yorkshire films. The scene where he’s in Ecclesfield church with the kids, and then totters down the steps in those ridiculous shoes. He’s just ripped your heart out and then you can’t help laugh. Also love the scene where they call Andy a “scab”.
It's great to see it done up and in proper use again. The cobbles were actually a relatively modern installation and they were pretty uneven and hazardous in wet weather so it's probably a good thing that they replaced them. Shame they didn't replace the bandstand though!
I loved playing brass band jobs at the Piece Hall, 40 years ago. I played there with my pro Christmas jazz band last Christmas. First time in 40!years! It had a charm all those years ago. It has a charm now. A very different charm for sure. We have to move with times and people's needs. I'm incredibly impressed with how the Piece Hall has opened up to the 21st Century. Some very talented people doing great things for that town. I no longer live there, but it's abundantly clear when I visit, just what an impact it's had. Nothing wrong with loving the past. Without that, the place wouldn't be there. I'd urge you to embrace the new era, and above all enjoy it!
And here it is November 4th 2023... I'm a 65 year old American Patriot, who pretty much had lost hope. We have a daft president, Israel is once again at war, the Jewish people fighting for their very existance. Our English brothers and sisters facing the same challeges as the United States! We are standing on the edge of World War Three. And yet here at 4:30 in the morning, watching bits and pieces of this movie that I have never seen entirely, I find peace and the courage to carry on. You see its not whether we win the battle, those of us that believe in God know we will be victorious. Rather its how we carry ourselves, who we help, day to day that writes our history into greatness. May God Bless and keep you, may his face shine on you and grant you peace. ❤
