Dead Man’s Shoes (2004) – Film Review

Director: Shane Meadows
Cast: Paddy Considine, Gary Stretch, Toby Kebbell
Certificate: 18

By Sarah Morgan

During the past 22 years, Sheffield-based Warp Films has produced some of the most acclaimed and impressive British movies and TV series around.

Operating out of an office at the famous Park Hill development overlooking the city, it’s overseen the likes of the This Is England movie and TV series and the hugely acclaimed Netflix hit Adolescence, as well such films as Four Lions, Submarine, Berberian Sound Studio and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

“Small-time hoodlums”

Its first feature, however, was Dead Man’s Shoes, a gripping and unforgettable revenge thriller from writer-director Shane Meadows, who has since worked extensively with the company.

The screenplay was devised by Meadows and his old friend Paddy Considine; they wrote the basic outline and dialogue, but much of what happens was improvised while on location in Derbyshire.

Considine also takes the lead role of Richard, an army veteran. He returns home to take revenge on the local small-time hoodlums he holds responsible for the death of his younger brother Anthony, who had learning difficulties. The thugs had used Anthony as a plaything, putting him through a number of tasks and ordeals he couldn’t cope with, resulting in him taking his own life.

Richard embarks on a reign of terror, turning the tables on the gang by tormenting them before killing them off one by one.

“Tragic”

Gripping and horrifying in equal measure, Meadows – like his main protagonist – pulls no punches while delivering a searing indictment of bullying and the damaging impact of toxic masculinity, long before it became a topic for discussion.

Considine is both sympathetic and chilling in the lead role, with support from a range of faces from what could perhaps be described as Meadows’ repertory company. However, it’s Toby Kebbel who deserves the most plaudits as the tragic Anthony. We ache for him as he deals with his predicament alone, and are left contemplating whether Richard’s determination to take revenge is driven by the guilt he feels for not being around for his brother.

The new Blu-ray release contains a number of special features, including a revealing interview with Meadows and producer Mark Herbert, which details not only the making of the movie, but also Warp Films’ origins. A graphic novel based on the screenplay is also included.

Sarah Morgan( Writer )

Sarah Morgan studied film journalism at post-graduate level with the BFI and has been writing about TV and film for PA Media’s newspaper, magazine and new media customers since 1996. She’s also written for a wide range of other publications, both online and in print, including the book Offbeat and Intermission magazine, and is a regular contributor to the Talking Pictures TV podcast. When she isn’t watching movies, she’s collecting and reading vintage crime and horror paperback books or, for her sins, watching her beloved Sheffield Wednesday.

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