Winstanley holds a special place in our history: it was the very first film screened at the Penultimate Picture Palace when we reopened on 18th July 1976. Join us on our 50th birthday with a special 35mm screening, introduced by co-director Kevin Brownlow.

In mid-17th century England, poverty and unrest are spreading. In response, a group known as the Diggers forms a commune, asserting their right to cultivate and share the wealth of the common land. Led by Gerrard Winstanley, they are met with fierce hostility from landowners and government troops. The film is remarkable for its authenticity. Much of the dialogue is drawn directly from Winstanley’s own pamphlets, armour was borrowed from the Tower of London, and the crew included more real-life activists than professional actors, even the animals were sourced from rare heritage breeds.