A Sense of Freedom is a 1981 Scottish crime film directed by John Mackenzie for Scottish Television.[1] The film stars David Hayman and featured Jake D'Arcy, Sean Scanlan, Hector Nicol, Alex Norton and Fulton Mackay.[2] It is based on the autobiography of Glasgow gangster Jimmy Boyle, who was reputed to be Scotland's most violent man.[3] Due to non-co-operation by the Scottish Prison Service in allowing a film crew access to their property, Hayman's scenes in prison were filmed in Dublin's Kilmainham Jail.[4]
| A Sense of Freedom | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Directed by | John Mackenzie |
| Written by | Peter McDougall |
| Produced by | Jeremy Isaacs |
| Starring | David Hayman Jake D'Arcy Sean Scanlan Hector Nicol Fulton Mackay |
| Cinematography | Chris Menges |
| Edited by | Alan MacMillan |
| Music by | Frankie Miller Rory Gallagher |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | HandMade Films |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 85 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
A harrowing tale of a habitual and brutal criminal. Boyle repeatedly resisted attempts by the Prison Service to dampen his temper. He was brutally assaulted many times by Prison Officers.[5] He also assaulted many staff including a brutal attack causing an officer to lose his eye.[6]
The film received a BAFTA nomination for Best Single Play.[7]
The music is by Frankie Miller and Rory Gallagher.[8]
Cast edit
- Jimmy Boyle - David Hayman
- Rab - Jake D'Arcy
- Jada - Sean Scanlan
- Malkie - Alex Norton
- Piper - John Murtagh
- Chief officer - Roy Hanlon
- Inspector Davidson - Fulton Mackay
- Bobbie Dougan - Martin Black
- Uncle Jodie - Hector Nicol
- Barman - Frank Welshman
- Boyle's mother - Katy Gardiner
- Archie - Billy Jeffrey
- Judge - David Steuart
- Prison officer - Ken Drury
- Prison governor - Gerry Slevin
- Prison governor - Ron Paterson
- Prison governor - Hugh Martin
- Special unit officer - Jackie Farrell
References edit
- ^ "A Sense of Freedom (1981)". BFI. Archived from the original on 2 November 2017.
- ^ "A Sense of Freedom (1985) - John Mackenzie | Cast and Crew | AllMovie" – via www.allmovie.com.
- ^ "STV Player". STV Player.
- ^ Balkind, Nicola (19 October 2013). World Film Locations: Glasgow. Intellect Books. ISBN 9781841507194 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Glasgow gangster turned writer Jimmy Boyle: 'I would be dead now without books'". the Guardian. 20 May 2016.
- ^ "How Jimmy Boyle went from violent gangster to leading artist". The Scotsman.
- ^ "BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org.
- ^ Matthews, Simon (28 January 2021). Looking for a New England: Action, Time, Vision: Music, Film and TV 1975 - 1986. Oldcastle Books. ISBN 9780857304124 – via Google Books.
