Billy is growing up in Barnsley, Yorkshire, where he lives with his unkind brother and distant mother. His school is a seemingly barbaric, uncaring place, and he appears to have little future beyond a job in the local coal mine. His life changes when he finds a kestrel. He starts to feed and train the bird, which gives his life purpose and meaning and soon becomes the focal point of his existence. His love of Kes offers him a form of freedom and hope, but this hope is tragically short-lived.
David Bradley is absolutely remarkable in the lead role as Billy. He has you absolutely rooting for him from the very beginning. He’s gentle but tough. And his wise, sad, hugely expressive face is heartbreaking to watch. Amazingly, he had never acted before.
The soundtrack by John Cameron is beautiful – a sort of pastoral English folk music.
The ending is absolutely devastating. But before this, there are moments of humour and shrewd social observation.
A masterpiece.
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