Synopsis

Directed by Ken Loach (which he says is his last film), The Old Oak is a moving drama that depicts both the conflict and the hope which arises from integrating communities. The future for the last remaining pub, The Old Oak in a village of the Northeast England, where people are leaving the land as the mines are closed. The Old Oak is the only remaining public space where people can meet in a once thriving mining community. TJ Ballantyne (Dave Turner) the landlord hangs on to The Old Oak by his fingertips, and his hold is endangered even more when The Old Oak becomes contested territory after the arrival of Syrian refugees. While this is met with hostility by the locals, Bannatyne forges a relationship with Yara (Ebla Mari), one of the refugees, and her family, as they organize a food
initiative to help the town community.

Critics Views

“Loach and Laverty fervently argue that through solidarity and a recognition of real interests, British people can naturally show empathy to immigrants and refugees.” The Guardian

“An intimate but ambitiously mounted ensemble piece, The Old Oak ranks among Loach’s foremost state-of-the-nation dramas.” Screen Daily

“If this is the end of the road for a British filmmaking great, it’s a thoughtful, heart-filled finale. British cinema’s old oak still stands tall.” Time Out

“Overall, this is a powerful statement about tough times that have no clear end in sight, although the final sequence flies the flag – and indeed, the procession banner – for hope and solidarity in images that bring the fiction back into the frame of real-world Britain.” Screen Daily

“A lot could be said about The Old Oak’s beautiful cinematography, excellent acting, and marvellous directing, all of which make this story come to life, but what really stands out the most in the film is the humanity that shines throughout. It is a beautiful reminder of what a community is and can be, regardless of country of origin, religion, or skin colour.” Loud and Clear Reviews

“What Loach adds to this scenario, as he’s done in most of his films, is a natural intimacy that goes beyond the issues to bring something human and emotional to the table. In its best moments, The Old Oak hits those powerful notes without pulling too hard on your heartstrings, with lived-in performances from a nonprofessional cast, including a few actors who were in the director’s most recent movies.” The Hollywood Reporter

Film Rating

IMDb
 Critics: 62%  Audience72%

Rotten Tomatoes
Critics positive review 73%   Audience Liked It N/A%

 Stockbridge Audience Score: 90%

Audience Comments

Thought provoking
A bit weak and sentimental. Not as good or thought provoking as I Daniel Blake or Sorry We Missed You.
One of his best. A great swansong.
Powerful storytelling, moving.
Excellent, bleak, funny, heartbreaking but warm & humane.
Very powerful
A bit sad.
Rather stereotypical characters
Strong film topic and relevant charity appeal made at commencement. Excellent that Stockbridge film club chose a lesser mainstream show such as this ( and Alcarras) to include amongst their listings.
How sad, no more Ken Loach films. He’s a genius.
A moving and inspiring film.
Very thought provoking.
Sadly a story which needs telling … over and over again.
A very powerful film, plenty of food for thought relating to our prejudices over arrival of migrants on our shores. These would seem to be legal migrants, but another film might explore the fate of illegal migrants
Typical Ken Loach. Not subtle, but an effective sledgehammer
“An excellent dramatisation of a cultural clash, especially topical with so many refugees in Europe and the UK currently. Sensitively portrayed, showing patience and kindness overcoming bigotry and violence.
Especially interesting as I know this area well, beautiful Durham surrounded by poor scruffy villages where pits have closed. I’ve seen coal on the beaches near Easington, a once enormous mine stretching miles under the North Sea but long since closed and heard tales of the Durham Miners Gala, a major annual event.
”
Thought provoking
Very powerful
Important (but harrowing) film – a spur to action. Great to have the Southampton refugee volunteers speak too.
Moving
I was not expecting the film to be this good though Ken Loach rarely disappoints. A good choice and a nice idea to have a collection for the local support group. Well done!
I enjoyed the film and am very glad to have seen it, but was surprised that the message was so unnuanced and unsubtle, with a lot of stereotyping.
powerful and moving
Moving
Up to date references. Very moving. Showed the best and worst of the British!
Hideous Britain in all its ugliness and desperation. More sanity amongst the Syrians. Hopeful in the end? Not sure. Awful, unrelenting foul language was depressing.
Powerful social commentary. Loach shows us at our worst and our best. Clever interplay with historical film/images.
“Excellent because it was so much better than I expected. The performances were so authentic they elevated the drama from the predictable and really landed a punch.
Thank you for showing it. ”
brilliant apart from the overindulgent ending
A brilliant portrayal of how humanity has far more in common than our cultural differences would have us believe. I thought at some points the film had an almost documentary quality to it. Strength, solidarity, resistance.
Interesting story, but Loach’s habit of using non-actors was a distraction, and the end was a bit sudden
Our lives are impoverished if we don’t take the opportunity to care for, and connect with each other, building solidarity as part of a supportive community. Ken Loach’s latest – and final – film was an incredibly moving reflection on the social benefits of solidarity, and the sad fact our political and media class want us punching down, rather than holding *them* to account for asset stripping our public services and creating a housing crisis that lines their pockets, but leaves us poor, angry and devoid of hope of a brighter future.
Heartwarming and tearful in equal measures. Fine way for ken Loach to finish on.
Somewhat idealistic view. I doubt if Syrian women would have behaved is such an open manner. I base this on my experiences in Syria. It would have made a better film with some cutting.
A three handkerchief job for me. A film pointing to what could be normal but isn’t.