Strike: An Uncivil War is a compelling, hard-hitting documentary that sheds light on one of the darkest chapters in modern British history: the 1984-1985 miners’ strike. Directed by Daniel Gordon, this five-star documentary offers an unflinching, thorough examination of the seismic impact the strike had on the UK, exploring the human cost of Margaret Thatcher’s government policies and the brutal enforcement of the “policing handbook.”
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, telling the story of the Battle of Orgreave.
The film is both heartbreaking and infuriating, as it brings to life the devastating consequences that followed the Conservative government’s decisions, not only economically but socially, tearing apart families and entire communities. With interviews from those who lived through the strike, the documentary paints a vivid and painful picture of a movement that saw workers struggling to hold on to their dignity and livelihoods, only to face a government determined to crush them. Gordon masterfully balances these personal stories with larger political narratives, revealing just how far-reaching the effects of these policies were, especially in contrast to later political scandals, like the COVID parties under Boris Johnson’s leadership.
The editing is sharp, the archive footage is eye-opening, and the documentary doesn’t shy away from laying the blame squarely at the feet of Thatcher’s administration. Strike: An Uncivil War will leave you outraged, enlightened, and perhaps questioning the state of modern politics. It’s a must-watch for anyone looking to understand the deep divisions and scars left behind by the strike, and why the echoes of that era are still felt today.
Strike: An Uncivil War is available to stream on Netflix now and you can watch it HERE
