(Photo Credit: Focus Features)
1/2
(“The Uprising” trailer courtesy of Focus Features)
It is only so long that people will willingly accept oppression.
After they are tired of their rights getting trampled on, leaders are fair game.
And if leadership is not strong enough to handle the physicality of the game, they should forfeit or try to change the rules of the game.
“The Uprising” epically captures what happens when the people unite against tyranny.
Additionally, “The Uprising” shows a remarkable character arc of a kid king, forced to do what is best for his country and his empire amid upheaval and turmoil.
In the process, “The Uprising” becomes Andrew Garfield’s (“After the Hunt”) magnum opus in a career with numerous remarkable performances.
One thing that will upset the people more than anything is an increase in taxes.
Taxes are necessary to keep a municipality going.
But taking so much from the people that they cannot survive is something totally different.
It makes matters much worse when the government and organizations like the church have wealth beyond measure but still want more from regular common people just trying to make ends meet.
Nevertheless, the English government of 1381 wants more from their people.
And when the people speak out against their demands, they are often met with violence, even the female population.
The people of England are struggling to put it mildly in “The Uprising.”
Furthermore, half of the English population was recently wiped off the map thanks to a deadly plague.
In “The Uprising,” Ploughman (Garfield, “Hacksaw Ridge“) lost his entire family to the plague.
Unlike the English noblemen and clergy, Ploughman is just a simple farmer who makes a living off the land.
But the land in his neck of the woods has been so harsh, survival is no guarantee.
That is why the new taxes have people like him and his neighbors in an uproar.
If the government takes anything else from the common people, they might not survive much longer, joining those lost in the plague in eternity.
While many of his neighbors resort to verbal protest towards government officials collecting the taxes, Ploughman has no problems putting that proverbial belt to a$$.
However, some butt whippings become permanent when the “opp” becomes motionless, bloody and without a pulse.
In 1381 England, such a public homicide should result in an immediate hanging.
But when the people are so fed up with the government, finding a commoner willing to speak out against one of their own is virtually impossible.
However, being a real man and not a coward, Ploughman offers himself up to the authorities who want to issue swift justice for his crimes.
But if a person like Ploughman is strong enough to avoid justice, why should he just surrender meekly and weakly to an oppressive regime?
In “The Uprising,” which is dark, gloomy and vicious as the times as circumstances would suggest, Ploughman’s exploits inspire his countrymen from far and wide to protest their station in life and demand a meeting with the young king to express their grievances against the government.
The only problem with the current holder of the throne is that he is a preteen child who has been forced into a position power after the death of his father.
Stressed with his responsibilities and terrified of the nightmares that he has been having, King Richard II (Woody Norman) religiously takes the advice of his counsel instead of stepping up to the throne and reclaiming his royalty as stated in Regal Media Group’s mantra.
But fear and lack of confidence can lead to manipulation from those who benefit from their seat at the counsel’s table.
And manipulation from those in power could enrage the people of England to a point of no return, putting King Richard II’s entire empire in jeopardy of crashing in on him before he is truly able to lead his people.
In “The Uprising,” King Richard II’s character arc is so remarkable and intriguing that he becomes a totally different person by the end of the movie.
King Richard II goes from a scared little kid to something totally opposite.
He learns quickly on the job.
And others learn quickly that the ability to manipulate him will not last always.
In the end, “The Uprising” represents some get-back as James Brown would say and should serve as a warning for those with power to not abuse their authority because the people they abuse are never as powerless as they may seem.
That reality is why “The Uprising” will resonate with audiences, even those who do not like brutal fighting scenes with medieval beheadings.
Although the movie starring Garfield takes place in the 14th century, the story of people revolting against their oppressors is as old as the planet.
To this day, the news is inundated with people in countries like America, Ukraine and Iran putting their lives on the line for freedom or to preserve their freedom from evil tyrants who are bloodthirsty for more control and power over the people they are supposed to protect and lead.
While physical violence is not always necessary to guarantee freedom, sometimes it is and dictators must deal with the consequences and repercussions.
In the end, “The Uprising” is also about the talents of Garfield, who has shone on the big screen since his charismatic performance in “The Social Network” in 2010.
Sixteen years later, he has delivered a career defining moment in a universal and timeless story that will stand the test of time.
REGAL RATINGS
FOUR CROWNS=EXCELLENT
THREE CROWNS=GOOD
TWO CROWNS=AVERAGE
ONE CROWN=POOR
- Movie Review: ‘731’ Another Film That is a Warning - September 26, 2025
