---
title: "Pride"
year: 2014
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/pride"
fi1m_id: "pride"
imdb_id: "tt3169706"
tmdb_id: 234200
wikidata_id: "Q16937096"
fi1m_score: 82
critics_score: 79
critics_reviews: 17
published: "2026-09-16"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:38:12.140419+00:00"
region: "PL"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Pride (2014)

Directed by Matthew Warchus · 2h 00m · Drama, Comedy

## Identity

Pride

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/pride
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** pride
- **IMDb ID:** tt3169706
- **TMDB ID:** 234200
- **Wikidata ID:** Q16937096
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3169706/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/234200, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16937096

**Fi1m score: 82** · Critics 79 from 17 reviews

*In a sentence:* The miners and the gay activists deserve each other, and for once that is a compliment

> *Pride* is funny, moving and a little too tidy about the difficulties of solidarity. Matthew Warchus makes the alliance between activists and miners worth caring about, with a cast that earns most of the uplift.

## Synopsis

In London during the 1984 miners’ strike, Mark Ashton (Ben Schnetzer) organises gay and lesbian activists to support striking miners in Wales. Joe “Bromley” (George MacKay) becomes involved in the effort, which takes the name Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners. Their offer brings them into contact with Dai (Paddy Considine) and Hefina (Imelda Staunton). The activists want to help another community under pressure, but prejudice complicates their approach. As the two groups begin meeting, miners and activists have to deal with their unfamiliar visitors face to face before they can start working together.

## Review

*Pride* is a warm, funny social comedy that deserves its tears, despite some determined nudging from the screenplay. It takes the alliance between London’s gay and lesbian activists and Welsh miners during the 1984 strike as a reason to put people together and let them talk. Matthew Warchus wants the politics to bring pleasure as well as indignation. That is a sound ambition, and he gives the actors room to be funny without making their characters’ convictions ridiculous.

Stephen Beresford’s screenplay understands that an alliance has to survive contact with the people in it. The culture-clash jokes are broad, but they let embarrassment and uncertainty into a story that could easily have settled for congratulating its heroes. Ben Schnetzer gives Mark Ashton the conviction the film needs without making him feel like a visiting lecturer. George MacKay, as Joe “Bromley”, offers a quieter presence alongside him, and the contrast helps keep the activists from seeming like a single voice.

The casting is the strongest reason to trust the film when the writing becomes eager to please. Paddy Considine gives Dai a welcome lack of fuss, while Imelda Staunton’s Hefina has a comic firmness that keeps the warmth from becoming soft. Bill Nighy makes Cliff worth watching without insisting on our attention, and Andrew Scott brings a necessary reserve to Gethin. We were moved by the sight of these miners and activists taking one another seriously. The actors make their growing concern for each other believable, even when the writing has made an encounter too convenient.

Tat Radcliffe’s cinematography keeps the ensemble readable, which matters with so many people competing for our attention. Simon Bowles’s production design gives the London and Welsh settings a welcome everyday quality. The visual restraint works: there is enough going on between the actors without the surroundings demanding equal notice. Christopher Nightingale’s music is less restrained, helping the feeling along when the performances have sometimes already done enough.

Melanie Oliver’s editing gives the crowded story a useful forward movement, though some of the supporting strands need more room. At 120 minutes, the film still occasionally hurries past people we would like to know better. More troublesome is Stephen Beresford’s tendency to make prejudice seem readily manageable once everybody has been properly introduced. The political difficulties receive less patient attention than the personal ones. A little more time spent on the stubbornness of people’s objections would have made the warmth more convincing.

These are familiar weaknesses in the British social comedy, and this film does not escape them by having admirable sympathies. It earns our affection through the humour and the care taken over performances, including the quieter ones. The broad emotional cues can be tiresome, but they never quite drown out the people we have come to like. Go for the company, and do not expect a detailed account of the strike.

*Fi1m score 82, published 16 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics respond warmly to Pride, praising its account of solidarity between gay activists and striking miners as funny, moving and accessible without losing sight of prejudice. Praise centres on the ensemble, with Bill Nighy and Imelda Staunton singled out, and on Matthew Warchus’s handling of comedy alongside more painful material. The reviews generally find that the familiar feel-good approach works because the performances and the true story give the emotion substance.

Reservations cluster around that familiarity: some critics find the politics simplified, the sentiment overmanaged or the large cast spread too thinly. Film Comment admires the solidarity and performances but finds the filmmaking less stimulating, a qualification within a largely positive consensus. Slant Magazine offers the sharpest dissent, arguing that the cheery formula makes the story feel false; most critics acknowledge some conventional touches but find them effective rather than damaging.

## Straight answers

**Is Pride worth watching?**

*Pride* is worth watching for anyone who wants a warm, funny British social comedy about the alliance between gay activists and striking Welsh miners in 1984, and we scored it 82. The cast, led by Ben Schnetzer, Imelda Staunton and Paddy Considine, earns most of the uplift. Go for the company rather than a detailed account of the strike.

**How long is Pride, and what is it rated?**

*Pride* runs 2h 00m. It is a drama and comedy film.

**Where can I watch Pride in Poland?**

*Pride* is not on any streaming or rental service in Poland at the moment. It is available in 20 other countries; change your country at the top of the page to see where. Availability is checked daily.

**How violent or frightening is Pride, and is it suitable for children?**

*Pride* is a UK 15 (R in the US), a comedy-drama about prejudice rather than a violent or frightening film, and nothing in our review suggests anything to unsettle the squeamish. The certificate points to adult language and themes around sexuality and homophobia rather than to violence. It suits older teenagers; it is not made for young children.

**How does Pride compare to Brassed Off?**

*Pride* and [*Brassed Off*](https://film.one/film/brassed-off) are both British comedies about a mining community finding collective purpose, but *Pride* is about an alliance between two groups, while *Brassed Off* stays inside one town and its brass band. Both have moments of awkward or over-eager writing. *Pride* has the broader ensemble and the wider spread of laughs; *Brassed Off* sits closer to the hardship of the strike.

**What should I watch after Pride?**

After *Pride*, try [*Brassed Off*](https://film.one/film/brassed-off) (1996, Fi1m 79): Another mining community finds collective purpose, with humour that never erases the hardship. Then [*Wadjda*](https://film.one/film/wadjda) (2012, Fi1m 80): A determined girl tests her community’s limits, with humour and a useful stubborn streak.

### Reviews we read (27)

- **Time Out**, Dave Calhoun (5/5): The critic calls it a joyous, moving and funny film that champions solidarity while delivering entertainment, comparing it favourably to other British social comedies. Strong scripting, cast moments and a progressive tone anchored in the present are highlighted as strengths. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/pride-1)
- **Empire**, Angie Errigo (90/100, inferred): The critic describes the film as funny, moving and uplifting with a cracking soundtrack, calling it a clear winner that makes you laugh, cry and want to party. She praises the well-written script, beautiful casting and director Matthew Warchus's deft balancing of jokes and tears. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/pride-review/)
- **Screen Daily** (90/100, inferred): The critic praises the breezy, assured handling of true events as a rousing, irresistible celebration of alliance and common ground, with a big-hearted emotional wallop and flawless ensemble cast. It is compared to other British crowdpleasers and noted for strong audience appeal after its Cannes premiere. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/pride/5072411.article)
- **Evening Standard**, Charlotte O'Sullivan (85/100, inferred): The critic calls the film wonderful and praises its hilarious, gut-wrenching take on the true story of the miners' strike alliance. She singles out the performances of Bill Nighy and Imelda Staunton, who escape national treasure status, and the uplifting, non-predictable second half. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/pride-film-review-bill-nighy-and-imelda-staunton-escape-national-treasure-status-and-show-us-something-new-9728351.html)
- **Little White Lies**, Sophie Monks Kaufman (4/4/4): The review highlights the stranger-than-fiction true events powering an affirmative, funny and well-cast social drama about solidarity during the miners' strike. Stellar ensemble performances and uplifting moments, including memorable visuals, are singled out for praise. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/pride)
- **Radio Times**, Damon Wise (4/5): The review portrays it as a joyous and riotously funny British comedy about an unlikely union between gay activists and miners, smuggling in serious points about unity amid ribald humour. It taps into the feel-good formula of similar films while adding its own characterful moments. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-f6x0j5/pride/)
- **The Telegraph**, Robbie Collin (4/5): The review praises the film's warm, affecting energy and uplifting spirit, likening it to a great stage show that earns its hopeful tone through strong performances and historical resonance. [Read](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2017/07/08/pride-review-terrifically-warm/)
- **Film Comment**, Jonathan Romney (70/100, inferred): The critic finds the film charming and laudable for its portrayal of solidarity between miners and LGBT activists, though not particularly stimulating as cinema. It is praised for its performances, especially Bill Nighy's, and for standing out in a conservative political climate. [Read](https://www.filmcomment.com/film-of-the-week-pride-matthew-warchus/)
- **The AV Club**, A.A. Dowd (B-): Manipulative but big-hearted, the film is an ode to activism as a social equalizer, celebrating the alliance with fish-out-of-water humor and cornball uplift, though it downplays the strike's failure and focuses more on gay rights. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/the-cornball-pride-is-a-crowd-pleaser-that-actually-ple-1798181404)
- **Slant Magazine**, Elise Nakhnikian (20/100, inferred): The film is formulaically cheery, didactically uplifting, and fundamentally false, turning a beautiful true story into ordinary dreck with hackneyed elements, though some moments ring true. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/pride-2014/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan: Pride uncovers and dramatizes a forgotten cross-community alliance with moving force and potent points, balanced between substance and sentiment. Turan calls it an unapologetic crowd-pleaser that succeeds through the reality of its events and fine ensemble acting. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-pride-movie-review-20140926-column.html)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Odie Henderson: The film is a crowd-pleasing true story of unlikely alliance between gay activists and striking miners that mixes formula with real emotion and strong performances. Henderson praises the way it balances humor, heart, and darker realities while delivering an uplifting message about solidarity. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/pride-2014)
- **Sight and Sound**, Ben Walters: The critic describes the film as an engaging, funny and affecting look back at the 1984 miners' strike alliance between London gay activists and Welsh miners, calling it a rousing paean to joined-up activism. Strong performances from a packed cast and a straightforward style are praised, though one casting decision is noted as a misfire. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/film-week-pride)
- **The Guardian**, Mark Kermode: The critic finds the film one of the most irresistibly uplifting of the year, celebrating the unlikely alliance between gay activists and striking miners with warmth, humour and strong performances. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/sep/14/pride-film-review-mark-kermode-power-in-unlikely-union)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, David Rooney: The critic finds it a funny, warm-hearted and enormously satisfying crowd-pleaser that pushes formulaic buttons but entertains, with strong performances, though overlong and spreading focus too thinly. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/pride-review-bill-nighy-imelda-staunton-dominic-west-706778/)
- **The New Yorker**, David Denby: The movie entertainingly explores solidarity through the story of gay and lesbian activists supporting striking miners, with strong performances and a mix of comedy and sentiment. Denby highlights its theatrical flair and emotional power while noting it is short on political depth. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/09/29/together-alone)
- **The New York Times**, Stephen Holden: Pride is a stirring, upbeat drama about the real-life coalition between London gay activists and Welsh miners during the 1984-85 strike. Holden notes its clear-cut heroes, humanized characters, and refusal to accept defeat, making it an audience-pleasing blend of history and feel-good solidarity. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/26/movies/pride-shows-the-alliance-of-a-gay-group-and-mineworkers.html)
- **Variety**, Charles Gant: Warchus turns the true story of the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners movement into an irresistible, feel-good crowdpleaser full of inspirational notes and strong ensemble work. Gant praises its energy and emotional depth while noting it plays many familiar but effective beats. [Read](https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/cannes-film-review-pride-1201190060/)
- **Vulture**: A dazzler and perfectly engineered crowd-pleaser with one of the best British casts, rah-rah for union and gay rights, though too tidy and one-sided. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2014/09/movie-review-pride.html)
- **Den of Geek**, Simon Brew (5/5): The review calls it the comedy of the year for balancing crowd-pleasing fun with serious commentary on the miners' strike. It singles out the intelligent screenplay and strong ensemble performances for praise. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/pride-review/)
- **The Playlist**, The Playlist Staff (A-): The critic hails it as a rousing crowd-pleaser done right and the most moving film at Cannes, praising the superb ensemble cast and the powerful message of solidarity between oppressed groups. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/review-pride-is-a-rousing-crowd-pleaser-done-right-20140925/)
- **Digital Spy**, Emma Dibdin (85/100, inferred): The film is described as a warm, witty triumph that walks a tonal tightrope with aplomb, drawing comparisons to Billy Elliot and The Full Monty. The critic highlights the strong performances, particularly from Andrew Scott, Imelda Staunton and Bill Nighy. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a595502/pride-review-breakout-british-hit-is-a-warm-witty-triumph/)
- **HeyUGuys**, Jo-Ann Titmarsh (4/5): The critic calls it a rousing and joyful testimony to real events, praising how it overcomes prejudice through unlikely alliances between gay activists and striking miners using British humour and a strong ensemble cast. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/cannes-2014-pride-review/)
- **NME**, Dan Brightmore (4/5): Pride is an uplifting protest film offering a poignant reminder of social activism, blending feel-good charm with historical insight. The director is praised for balancing emotional drama and raucous laughs, though some cheesy moments are noted. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-various-artists-15626-325022)
- **Eye for Film**, Angus Wolfe Murray (75/100, inferred): The critic describes it as a feelgood parable of human nature extracting positive from negative, singling out the uniformly excellent performances for particular praise. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/pride-2014-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray)
- **The Wrap** (75/100, inferred): The critic finds the film slightly overstuffed with characters and subplots but praises its effective feel-good qualities, stirring musical moments, and stellar ensemble cast in telling a story of unity between gay activists and striking miners. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/pride-review-bill-nighy-imelda-staunton-lgsm/)
- **Paste**, Andy Crump (9.0): The critic praises the film's remarkable balance of humor and gravity in telling its true story of solidarity between gay activists and striking miners. It singles out the effortless blend of belly laughs, celebratory tone, and reminders of 1980s prejudices and injustice. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/pride)

## Details

- **Director:** Matthew Warchus
- **Director:** Matthew Warchus
- **Writer:** Stephen Beresford
- **Cinematography:** Tat Radcliffe
- **Editor:** Melanie Oliver
- **Music:** Christopher Nightingale
- **Production design:** Simon Bowles
- **Costume design:** Charlotte Walter
- **Producer:** David Livingstone
- **Cast:** George MacKay as Joe "Bromley"; Ben Schnetzer as Mark Ashton; Freddie Fox as Jeff; Bill Nighy as Cliff; Imelda Staunton as Hefina; Dominic West as Jonathan; Paddy Considine as Dai; Andrew Scott as Gethin
- **Runtime:** 2h 00m
- **First release (France):** 23 May 2014
- **Genres:** Drama, Comedy
- **Also in:** [Golden Globe Best Musical or Comedy winners](https://film.one/collections/golden-globe-comedy.md) (Nominee, 2014)
- **Box office:** $17 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoDhhLgobt4

## Where to watch in Poland

Not streaming, renting or buying in Poland at the last check.

Also available in: AR, AT, BE, BR, CH, CL, CO, DE, DK, ES, FR, GB, IE, IT, MX, NL, NO, PA, SE, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- BAFTA Film Awards 2015: Best Actress in a Supporting Role (nominated); Best British Film (nominated); Best Newcomer (won)
- David di Donatello for Best European Film 2015: David di Donatello for Best European Film (nominated)
- Golden Globes 2015: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (nominated)
- London Film Critics' Circle Award for British or Irish Film of the Year 2015: London Film Critics' Circle Award for British or Irish Film of the Year (nominated)
- British Independent Film Awards 2014: Best British Independent Film (won); Best Supporting Actor (won); Best Supporting Actress (won)
- Directors' Fortnight 2014: Directors' Fortnight (nominated)
- Dorian Award for LGBTQ Film of the Year 2014: Dorian Award for LGBTQ Film of the Year (won)

## If you liked this

- *Brassed Off* (1996), Fi1m 79: Another mining community finds collective purpose, with humour that never erases the hardship. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/brassed-off.md)
- *The Watermelon Woman* (1996): A funny, inquisitive search for queer history, alert to who gets left out.
- *Wadjda* (2012), Fi1m 80: A determined girl tests her community’s limits, with humour and a useful stubborn streak. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/wadjda.md)
- *120 BPM* (2017): Queer activism gets a tougher treatment, with equal care for friendship and collective action.
- *The Organizer* (1963): A workers’ struggle told through a quarrelsome ensemble, with room for humour and disappointment.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/pride