Films about Sunderland:
Sunderland, a city in the northeast of England, has been the setting for several films that capture the unique charm and character of the region. These films showcase the rich history, vibrant culture, and the indomitable spirit of the people of Sunderland. Here are a few notable films about Sunderland:
“The Stars Look Down”, 1940
Director: Carol Reed
Set in a fictional mining village near Sunderland, this film explores the struggles of coal miners and the social and political climate of the time. It delves into the lives of the working-class community and their fight for better conditions.
Starring: Michael Redgrave, Margaret Lockwood, Emlyn Williams, Nancy Price, Allan Jeayes, Edward Rigby, Linden Travers, Cecil Parker, Milton Rosmer, George Carney, Ivor Barnard, Olga Lindo, Desmond Tester, David Markham, Aubrey Mallalieu, Kynaston Reeves, Clive Baxter, James Harcourt, Frederick Burtwell, Dorothy Hamilton, Frank Atkinson, David Horne, Edmund Willard, Ben Williams, Scott Harrold, Lionel Barrymore, Howard Douglas, John Glyn-Jones, Cameron Hall, Bryan Herbert, Vincent Holman, Roddy Hughes, Mike Johnson, Vi Kaley, Laurence Kitchin, Jack Mandeville, Charles Rolfe, D.J. Williams;
Production year: 1940;
Genre: drama;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “The Stars Look Down” on the website imdb.com
“Billy Elliot”, 2000
Director: Stephen Daldry
While not directly set in Sunderland, this beloved film tells the story of a young boy from a mining town in County Durham, which is near Sunderland. It depicts the journey of Billy, who discovers his passion for ballet and faces societal and familial challenges. The film beautifully portrays the resilience and determination of the people in the region.
Starring: Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Gary Lewis, Jean Heywood, Jamie Draven, Stuart Wells, Mike Elliot, Billy Fane, Nicola Blackwell, Carol McGuigan, Joe Renton, Colin MacLachlan, Janine Birkett, Trevor Fox, Charlie Hardwick, Denny Ferguson, Dennis Lingard, Matthew James Thomas, Stephen Mangan, Paul Ridley, Patrick Malahide, Barbara Leigh-Hunt, Imogen Claire, Diana Kent, Neil North, Lee Williams, Petra Siniawski, Merelina Kendall, Zoë Bell, Tracey Wilkinson, Merryn Owen, Adam Cooper, Dylan Barnes, Liam Elcoat, Adam Galbraith, Darren Jacobs, Hendrick January, Sharon Percy, Ken Richardson, Leonard Silver, Lee Smikle, Catherine Turgoose, Damian Winter-Higgins;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama, music;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
“The Empty Beach”, 1985
Director: Chris Thomson
Based on the novel by Peter Corris, this crime thriller is set in Sunderland and follows the investigation of a murder mystery. As the protagonist delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of deceit and danger, highlighting the dark underbelly of the city.
Starring: Bryan Brown, Anna Maria Monticelli, Belinda Giblin, Ray Barrett, John Wood, Peter Collingwood, Nick Tate, Kerry Mack, Joss McWilliam, Sally Cooper, Rhys McConnochie, Steve Rackman, Robert Alexander, Bob Barrett, Christopher Lewis, Steve J. Spears, Kerry Dwyer, Dean Nottle, Robert Noble, Simone Taylor, Harry Lawrence, Alexander Hay, Philomena Loneragan, Peggy Wallach, Brian Anderson, Deborah Kennedy, Robert Shannon, John Godden, Rebecca Smart, Aaron Smart, Kelly Dingwall, Barry Leane, Phillip Ross;
Production year: 1985;
Genre: thriller;
Duration: 85 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,1;
More information about the film “The Empty Beach” on the website imdb.com
“The Water Diviner”, 2014
Director: Russell Crowe
While the majority of the film takes place in Australia, it includes a powerful sequence set in Sunderland during World War I. The film follows a father's journey to find his missing sons, who fought in the Battle of Gallipoli. The Sunderland scenes provide a glimpse into the impact of the war on the home front.
Starring: Russell Crowe, Yilmaz Erdogan, Jai Courtney, Dylan Jett, Cem Yilmaz, Jacqueline McKenzie, Ryan Corr, Michael Dorman, Christopher Sommers, Steve Bastoni, Isabel Lucas, Salih Kalyon, Megan Gale, James Fraser, Ben O'Toole, Jack Patterson, Ben Norris, Aidan Liam Smith, Damon Herriman, Sophia Forrest, Daniel Wyllie, Benedict Hardie, Max Benitz, Chick Allan, Ali Akdeniz, Robert Mammone, Emrah Aksu, Deniz Akdeniz, Thomas Unger, Bill Thompson, David Oliver, Jack Randall, Asena Gündüz, Aleyna Gündüz, Abdullah Eraslan, Diogenis Patsouris, Mustafa Özlük, Serdar Ali Sagin, Ediz Nidai, Zev Eleftheriou, Jason Honeychurch, George Ogilvie, Stewart Kirwan, Gazi Yalçin, Brad Turner, Fabian Hevia, Ethem Temizkanoglu, Nigar Sen;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: drama, war, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
“I, Daniel Blake”, 2016
Director: Ken Loach
Directed by Ken Loach, this critically acclaimed film sheds light on the struggles faced by a carpenter who is denied benefits after a heart attack. Set in Newcastle, which is close to Sunderland, the film reflects the harsh realities of the working-class and the bureaucratic challenges they encounter.
Starring: Dave Johns, Hayley Squires, Briana Shann, Dylan McKiernan, Kate Rutter, Sharon Percy, Kema Sikazwe, Magpie Richens, Amanda Payne, Chris McGlade, Shaun Prendergast, Sammy T. Dobson, Mickey Hutton, Colin Coombs, David Murray, Stephen Clegg, Andy Kidd, Li Dan, Jane Birch, Kimberley Blair Smith, Junior Atilassi, John Sumner, Dave Turner, Jackie Robinson, Kathleen Germain, Christine Wood, Micky McGregor, Neil Stuart Morton, Roy McCartney, Stephen Halliday, Julie Nicholson, Viktoria Kay, Malcolm Shields, Bryn Jones, Helen Dixon, Gary Jacques, Mick Laffey, Patricia Roberts, Yvonne Maher, Susan Robinson, Mike Milligan, Laura Jane Barnes-Martin, Harriet Ghost, Brian Scurr, Natalie Ann Jamieson, Mark Burns, James Hepworth, Rob Kirtley;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
These films offer different perspectives on Sunderland, showcasing its history, community, and the challenges faced by its residents. Each film captures the essence of the city in its own unique way, making them worth exploring for anyone interested in the cinematic representation of Sunderland.
The selection of films about Sunderland offers a captivating glimpse into the heart and soul of this vibrant city. From gritty dramas to heartwarming comedies, each film brings to life the unique spirit and character of Sunderland, showcasing its resilience, humor, and unwavering sense of community. Through powerful storytelling and compelling performances, these films have woven a rich tapestry of narratives that not only entertain but also enlighten audiences about the beauty and complexities of life in Sunderland. With their authentic portrayal of the city and its people, these films have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape, cementing Sunderland's place in the world of storytelling.
