Here’s the official announcement, but watch this space for updates…
BBC NEWS online: Director Mike Leigh is to make a film about the events of the 1819 Peterloo Massacre in Manchester. Some 15 people were killed and hundreds injured when government troops charged a 60,000-strong crowd who were demanding political reform. Leigh told Screen International the story had “personal resonance… as a native of Manchester and Salford”. The film is being touted as the Mr Turner director’s biggest budget feature to date. See full article.
George Cruikshank, Massacre at St. Peter’s or “BRITONS STRIKE HOME”, 1819, The British Library. Text reads: “Down with ’em! Chop em down my brave boys: give them no quarter they want to take our Beef & Pudding from us! —- & remember the more you kill the less poor rates you’ll have to pay so go at it Lads show your courage & your Loyalty!”