A Field in England Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Some dudes ditch a war, eat mushrooms, and then things get weird… really weird.

🍿 A Field in England: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Escape from Battle

Set during the English Civil War, the film opens with Whitehead, a scholarly alchemist’s assistant, fleeing the chaos of battle. He’s not a soldier, but rather a reluctant participant caught in the conflict. His primary goal is simply to escape the immediate danger and find safety.

The Band of Deserters

Whitehead stumbles upon a group of deserters, common soldiers more interested in ale than allegiance. They initially offer a rough camaraderie, planning to head to a nearby alehouse. This provides a brief respite from the horrors of war, though their journey is fraught with tension and uncertainty.

Encounter with O’Neil

Their path crosses with O’Neil, a sinister alchemist with a dominating presence. He coerces the men, including Whitehead, to help him search for a hidden treasure he believes is buried within the field. O’Neil’s methods are brutal and manipulative, quickly establishing him as the film’s antagonist.

The Mushroom Trip

As hunger and desperation set in, the men consume mushrooms found in the field. These mushrooms induce a hallucinogenic trip, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. The experience descends into a nightmarish, surreal sequence that alters their perceptions and intensifies their fears and paranoia.

Searching for Treasure

Driven by O’Neil’s ruthless commands and the effects of the mushrooms, the group continues to search for the treasure. Whitehead’s past knowledge of alchemy becomes crucial, although his sanity is increasingly questionable. The search becomes a descent into madness, revealing hidden desires and violent tendencies among the men.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Whitehead (Reece Shearsmith): A timid and intellectual alchemist’s assistant who undergoes a harrowing journey of self-discovery during the Civil War.
• O’Neil (Michael Smiley): A menacing and manipulative alchemist who seeks to exploit the deserters in his quest for hidden treasure.
• Trower (Julian Barratt): A mercenary travelling with Whitehead who promptly dies at the beginning.
• Jacob (Peter Ferdinando): One of the deserters, a simple-minded soldier who is easily swayed by O’Neil’s promises.
• Friend (Richard Glover): One of the deserters searching for an alehouse after abandoning their army.
• Cutler (Ryan Pope): A deserter and a soldier who promises to lead the men to an ale house.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• O’Neil: “Open up and let the devil in.” – O’Neil’s invitation encapsulates the film’s themes of temptation, the occult, and the descent into madness and chaos in the field.
• Whitehead: “I’m my own man.” – A declaration of independence that rings hollow amidst the forces controlling the characters.
• Friend: “Tell her… tell her I hate her.” – A darkly humorous statement capturing the complex relationships and bitter realities of the time and the emotional turmoil within the group.

💰Box Office

• Budget: £316,000
• Domestic Gross: $32,846
• Worldwide Gross: $97,195

💥 A Field in England Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, A Field in England was a trip, literally and figuratively! I went in expecting a historical drama, but I got a psychedelic folk horror experience unlike anything I’ve seen. The black and white cinematography was stunning. I spent the entire movie asking, ‘What is even happening?’ but I didn’t mind at all. The tent scene with Whitehead was absolutely mind-blowing, the film is something that I won’t soon forget!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of arthouse cinema”
  • “Viewers interested in historical dramas with a twist”
  • “Those who enjoy psychedelic and surreal films”
  • “People who appreciate thought-provoking and ambiguous stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Nudity”

Professional Reviews

• MovieWeb: “A Field in England is a bold and visually striking film that challenges viewers with its unconventional narrative and psychedelic imagery. While the plot may be confusing, the film’s unique atmosphere and strong performances make it a worthwhile experience for those seeking something different.
• Rollingstone.com: “The film’s black-and-white cinematography and unsettling soundtrack create a sense of dread and unease, drawing viewers into a nightmarish world. A Field in England is a challenging but rewarding film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
• IMDB User Review: “The movie does is not just to imitate history but to reflect on its deeper meaning. It is a very straightforward film based very directly on the English Civil War itself.

Audience Reactions

Visually stunning and unsettling, the black and white cinematography and psychedelic sequences create a truly unique cinematic experience.: Viewers praised the film’s atmosphere, cinematography, and unconventional storytelling, while acknowledging its challenging and potentially confusing nature.

Overall Consensus: A Field in England is a visually striking and thought-provoking film that defies easy categorization. Its unconventional narrative and psychedelic imagery may not appeal to all viewers, but it offers a unique and rewarding experience for those willing to embrace its strangeness.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot in black and white to evoke the feeling of classic horror films and to create a sense of timelessness and unease.”
• “Director Ben Wheatley wanted to create a disorienting and hallucinatory experience for the viewer, mirroring the characters’ state of mind after consuming magic mushrooms. He achieved this through unconventional camera angles, editing techniques, and sound design.”
• “The film’s simultaneous release on multiple platforms (cinema, TV, VOD, DVD) was a deliberate attempt to challenge traditional distribution models and make the film accessible to a wider audience.”
• “The low budget of £316,000 forced the filmmakers to be creative and resourceful, relying on practical effects and atmospheric settings rather than expensive CGI.”

🖥️ How to Watch A Field in England?

As a more arthouse film, ‘A Field in England’ isn’t widely available on mainstream streaming services like Netflix or Hulu. However, you can find it for rent or purchase on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for availability on smaller streaming services specializing in independent or British cinema. DVD and Blu-ray copies are also available through online retailers like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed A Field in England, you might like these similar films:

• Witchfinder General (1968): Shares a dark and unsettling atmosphere, exploring themes of paranoia, violence, and the occult in 17th-century England.
• Valhalla Rising (2009): Features a similar brooding tone and hallucinatory visuals, following a group on a surreal and violent journey through a desolate landscape.
• The Witch (2015): A more modern folk horror film that explores themes of paranoia, religious extremism, and the power of the supernatural in a historical setting.
• Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972): Like A Field in England, the film follows a band of men on a doomed treasure hunt, driven to madness by greed and the elements.

🛒 A Field in England Related Products

• A Field in England [Blu-ray]: Own the film on Blu-ray and experience its stunning black and white cinematography in high definition. Includes bonus features such as director commentary and behind-the-scenes footage.
• English Civil War – A People’s History: Dive deeper into the historical context of A Field in England. This comprehensive book explores the causes, events, and consequences of the English Civil War.
• A Field in England: The Screenplay: Get the detailed screenplay by Amy Jump and Ben Wheatley. Offers a chance to study the script’s structure, dialogue, and visual cues to find all those hidden nuances you missed in the first viewing.
• A Field in England – Art Print Poster: High-quality art print featuring iconic imagery from A Field in England. A stylish addition to any film lover’s collection.

🎧 Soundtrack

A Field in England features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Chernobyl” – performed by Blanck Mass

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

A FIELD IN ENGLAND: Britain’s Forgotten Folk Horror Explained

Ever wondered what’s *really* going on in ‘A Field in England’? This video breaks down the film’s folk horror themes and historical context, making it all surprisingly clear. I didn’t realize how much I was missing until I watched this!

A Field in England – Renegade Cut

Want a really deep dive into ‘A Field in England’? Renegade Cut’s analysis is super thought-provoking, exploring all the hidden meanings and symbolism you might have missed. Honestly, this made me appreciate the film on a whole new level!

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