The Miners' Strike of 1984/85 was the most divisive, violent industrial dispute Britain has ever witnessed. With personal testimony, formerly hidden government documents and unseen archive, STRIKE tells the story of the Battle of Orgreave
The Miners' Strike of 1984/85 was the most divisive, violent industrial dispute Britain has ever witnessed. With personal testimony, formerly hidden government documents and a treasure trove of previously unseen archive, STRIKE: AN UNCIVIL WAR tells the brutal and emotional account of that year, and reveals the full story of the infamous Battle of Orgreave.
The Miners' Strike of 1984/85 was the most divisive and violent industrial dispute that Britain has ever witnessed. Using powerful personal testimony, previously hidden government documents and a treasure trove of never-before-seen archive, STRIKE: AN UNCIVIL WAR tells the brutal and emotional story of that year and the devastating impact it continues to have to this day.
The Strike began in Yorkshire as a protest against pit closures but in essence it cut right to the heart of Britain's social and political consciousness. It was about more than the economics of coal mines. This was a clash that encompassed class, community, masculinity, the role of women, relationships, marriage and family. The conflict would spread across the land - from Southeast England, through the Midlands, the North, Wales and Scotland.
At stake was nothing less than the kind of country Britain should become - expressed in two opposing visions. A socialist, regulated one, where the unions held power and sway? Or a privatised, capitalist economy, where business and enterprise came first, and workers would submit to 'the market'?
This same clash of ideologies played out across Europe and the rest of the world - but in Britain it seemed that it was a fight for total victory.
And it was a fight that was loaded in favour of the state. Never was this more in evidence that the infamous 'Battle of Orgreave', which took place on 18th June 1984 and is forensically examined in 'STRIKE: AN UNCIVIL WAR'.
We are told the outcome of the strike changed Britain for good. In reality, there were perhaps no winners; Britain was left even more divided and deep questions remain unanswered to this day.
