Lapwing

Lapwing is a beautifully haunting film that tells a powerful and emotionally resonant story with real sensitivity and depth. Set in 16th-century England, it explores themes of love, isolation, prejudice, and survival in a brutal and unforgiving world. The performances are incredibly captivating, especially from the lead actress, whose silent strength and emotional presence speak volumes without a single word. The cinematography is breathtaking, with striking visuals that capture the raw beauty and harshness of the setting. A moving, poetic period drama that lingers in the mind and heart long after it ends.

You really get a sense of claustrophobia watching this, as you follow the story of a voiceless woman, trapped in a small community dominated by a jealous monster. This is in stark contrast to the beautifully shot vast landscape of the Lincolnshire coast. Some very disturbing scenes that will stay with we.

Tormenting and menacing, Lapwing, filmed in a picturesque setting on the Lincolnshire coast in just 16 days, meant that the production was rushed, but still provided stark contrast between setting and place.

The female mute perspective of Patience, with a 16th Century helplessness of women, provides aspects that can be carried across to modern day. The film contrasted this with a cathartic finish. Patience is the perfect name for this character, providing reflections of those who experience oppression even in a modern context, her silence speaks volumes.

Character development was flawed, matching the characters themselves. David was as menacing as his troubles, and the hatred the audience developed for him was not entirely devoid of compassion.

Characters that could have been developed further were the Egyptians, and the hardship faced by them, along with more references to the gypsy way of life, which was more of a footnote in the film. This would have excelled Lapwing into its true pinned wing vision, echoing the discrimination that immigrants faced both then and now.

Worth a watch for the scenery, violent emotive nature, and provocation it awakened in thought.

From a seemingly slow start this film grabs you with a menace which is shocking and visceral. While there is a lot of violence and sex it is justified. It is also beautifully shot and will stay with you for a long time afterwards. When the finale comes it is rewarding and satisfying. An unexpectedly great film.

The harshness of some critics astounds me. I am not involved with this production in any way, I am not giving it 10/10, I'm giving it an honest assessment.

A quiet, melancholy film about outsiders. The 'Civilised British' of this film are a group of religious fanatics exploiting those even lower in society than them. Living in tents and eking out an existance farming salt on the bleak Lincolnshire coast hardly makes you a part of society, yet they are still able to make profit off those even worse off than themselves.

The fact that Hannah Douglas has a stammer so severe she is functionally mute, and when she tries to speak she 'screeches like a lapwing' literalises the fact that for so many people throughout so much of history having a voice was not an option. When you can't speak, you can't speak up.

Emmett J Scanlan is a typical cult leader, in that he maintains his power through charisma and control, but what happens when the charisma stops working? Drinking more heavily through the course of the film starts things unravelling. Is he drinking because his control is slipping or is his control slipping therefore he's drinking? Either way it's a portrait of a man no longer in control of himself or others, and in my opinion it works well.

A touch more fatalistic acceptance of the way her life has gone from Hannah Douglas might have been in order and a few more happy interactions with Sebastian De Souza would have been nice, but overall a bleak, heart rending film that worked well on me.