Second Sight in the UK has released a Special Edition Blu-ray of the film Dead Man’s Shoes, starring Paddy Considine and directed by Shane Meadows.
A soldier returns home to his small town in Northern England and sets out to exact a deadly revenge on the thugs who tormented his brother Anthony, who has a learning disability, while he was away. The story of Anthony’s bullying unfolds in flashback as the murders continue, until the final, shocking revelation.
I will start by saying that Dead Man’s Shoes is not an easy watch. It can be edgy, funny and tragic as the story unfolds, and you get to see just how inhuman some people can become when drugs and gang mentality take over.
Paddy Considine gives one of his best performances here, showing real edge to the character; you just do not know when he is going to explode into rage. There is an intensity to his portrayal that keeps you on edge throughout, making him both frightening and strangely sympathetic.
The “gang” are a pathetic bunch, middle-aged men who have nothing to do in their lives, so they turn to drugs to make money and intimidate others. It is a stark contrast to the beautiful countryside shown through some great cinematography, with the peaceful surroundings masking the darkness at the heart of the story.
There is an immediate sense of realism from the start, and that is what gives this film its strength. Shane Meadows captures working-class life with an authenticity that makes the events feel all the more disturbing. Much of the dialogue feels natural and unscripted, helping to create believable characters, even when their actions become increasingly brutal.
This is a tragic story, and certainly not one for the squeamish. Beneath the revenge plot lies a powerful examination of guilt, loyalty and the consequences of cruelty. The ending is a real shock, bringing the film to a haunting conclusion that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled. Dead Man’s Shoes remains one of the most powerful British films of the last twenty years.
Available on Blu-Ray from Second Sight in the UK, with a great remastered picture and some interesting special features. Click on the image below to purchase.
