Sense of Freedom [VHS]

Mackenzie deserves a pat on the back for giving the British crime cinema a well deserved double shot of testosterone, at a time when it was fairly dormant.

Dynamic actor, David Hayman is simply sensational as the anti-social & violent Jimmy Boyle. Boyle and his gang are running protection & money lending rackets in Glasgow in the 1960's and falling foul of the law every step of the way. Boyle is convicted for a heinous crime and sent inside the Scottish prison system where he declares a brutal war on the guards & administration of each prison. However, Boyle begins to take stock of the damage & futility of his hostile actions, and the film then takes a surprising turn !!

"A Sense of Freedom" certainly won't be for everyone's tastes as there are numerous violent confrontations, and in one scene, Boyle takes to "decorating" his cell in a most disgusting manner. However, those film fans looking for a first class prison drama, with a believable cast, that really delivers the goods will not be disappointed.

I'm so glad to see this film finally out on DVD, as I think my 20 year old VHS copy is just about worn out ! Most definitely a "must have" addition to your library of crime films....

Prison after prison fails to break Boyle's spirit; the physical beatings he received and the isolation to which he was subjected served to turn his mind inwards and focus his hatred.

Before too long, Boyle was too dangerous for any prison to handle; the only solution being to transfer him to the "Special Unit" at Barlinnie where instead of trying to break prisoners down by force - or by drugs - the emphasis was on trying to rehabilitate violent criminals.

The film ends with Jimmy's transfer to Barlinnie, where Boyle discovered his affinity for art and started the transformation that saw him become an acclaimed sculptor.

David Hayman's performance as Boyle in this film is powerful and subtle - he's a "hard man" who wants no part of any system, a man trying to come to terms with the animal in himself and with the degradation around him. It's a visceral, physically courageous performance.

The DVD transfer of the film itself is pretty poor - colour and sound are somewhat murky. However, the DVD is accompanied by an excellent documentary about Boyle's new life, and his use of sculpture as a measns of therapy for other long-term prisoners.

Sobering, powerful and highly watchable.