A Sense of History

This is a wonderful piece of film. A moving, stirring, tragic and comic short, which is essentially nothing more than a monologue!!!

Jim Broadbent is spectacular and the whole thing is beautifully put together. I saw this in the film tent at Glastonbury a couple of years ago and have just managed to see the streaming available to all on the channel 4 site, I will certainly be spreading the link to as many people as i can. (I believe it is posted on the message board for the film.)

This is a piece of television which I could happily watch over and over. The "spoof" documentary style (although this certainly isn't the best description) works to a tee and as the story unfolds and the life of the Earl unravels it becomes clear that much thought has been put not only into the script but also acting performance and filming. Watch it and love it.

A superb actor at his superb best.

Quite Wonderful!

The family history of the Earls of Leete, told by the 23rd Earl (Jim Broadbent) is a hypnotic masterpiece. Very funny, very black and very intelligent.

This is virtually a monologue. I tend to find monologues boring, although the British seem to do them quite well. But this was utterly absorbing. Although Jim Broadbent tells the story in the typically relaxed manner of a Brit aristocratic, I was on the edge of my seat wanting to hear the story.

I wish the British aristocracy was really like this.

If you would like to see an unusual, remarkable movie, don't miss "A sense of history" directed by Mike Leigh. This astonishing little piece of work was written and performed by the British actor Jim Broadbent, well known from many other films in Great Britain. The story takes place on a manor somewhere in Scotland. Jim Broadbent, playing a wealthy Earl shows what "a sense of history" also can be. No knights, no battles nor queens, but a "respectable" old man, reflecting on his life, that hides more crimes than you can imagine. The destiny of his first wife, his children? The dramatic fate of his father and - last but not least - the terrible end of his older brother? Have a look, you won't be disappointed by this parody of the old Bristish aristocracy...

"A sense of history" is a short film about upper class life in Britain. Broadbent is the 23rd Earl of Leete who takes us for a tour around his vast domain and telling us the incredible history of his family heritage. During the walk, this very banal and typical British landowner appears like an eccentric and psychopath person able to do anything to keep his material position. The film was directed by Mike Leigh in 1992. Known for his sensitive and satirical talent, he is one of the best English movie directors. He makes a lot of success such as "Secrets and Lies" which won numerous awards, including the "Palme d'Or" at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival. The script was written by Jim Broadbent, the main actor in the film. "A sens of history" is the first time that Mike Leigh has directed for another writer. Though a mixture of tragedy and comedy, the film seems to convey the message than an obsession with power and material goods will leave you without emotion and devoid of humanity. What seems to be, at the first view, a boring documentary about high society in the 20th century, becomes a dark comedy when the main character reveals us suspicious things he did in his life. Are all the British landowners as lunatic and homicidal as Broadbent?... This film will be appreciated by people besotted with typical British black humor who like parodies.

Brendan summed it up nicely but it doesn't stress how funny this short really is.

This is a must see short film that you will never forget and be forever quoting.

All I can add is to persevere through the seemingly boring long opening of a documentary on a British aristocrat land owner talking about the values of family tradition, increasing ones land, and finding a fine wife; before you know it you will find that this is no ordinary Earl (or is he!?!?)

Jim Broadbent at his best!