The Rochdale Pioneers

I really enjoyed watching this film and getting a sense of how the pioneers came together and followed a dream to create a business that was based on social cooperation and shared values.

The pace was a little slow at times but my interest in the characters and where the story was going held my attention.

As a result of the film, I felt more of an affinity with the present day Cooperative model and signed up to membership of the local store and also the cooperative energy provider. What a call to action! The film was not only entertaining and informative, but it revived the cooperative spirit and the sentiment of the original founders.

Well done to all involved.

This was never meant to trouble the BAFTA members. Hope that's not a spoiler for anyone. I enjoyed this because it was educational and related the story of how one of Britain's stalwart retail chains came into being. It wasn't just an early attempt to make us all customers, but the beginning of an attempt at greater social equality. Apart from two well-known faces, I didn't recognise any of the actors, so I'd guess they were amateurs. Ditto the production staff, too.

So don't approach this film expecting Hollywood standards; walk away if that's all you want. If you want to see a film about working folk pulling together against the naysayers, put together by non-professionals battling similarly, you've come to the right place. You get a sense of what this meant to the factory workers of mid 19th century Rochdale, and what they believed and gave up for a chance to attain it.

Ignore the low score and give it a chance if you get the chance. Thanks Film on Four for my chance.