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The Navigators Details

2001 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 855 members

Ken Loach's THE NAVIGATORS follows a group of South Yorkshire railway workers during the mid-1990s privatisation of British Rail. The film features Loach's typically asute social commentary and subtle humour. Read more

Starring Steve Huison, Joe Duttine, Tom Craig
Director Ken Loach
Genres Drama

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The Navigators

Ken Loach's THE NAVIGATORS follows a group of South Yorkshire railway workers during the mid-1990s privatisation of British Rail. The film features Loach's typically asute social commentary and subtle humour.

Starring Steve Huison, Joe Duttine, Tom Craig
Director Ken Loach
Studio BFI VIDEO
Run time DVD: 1 hr 32 mins
Certificate Certificate 15
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Hearing-impaired English
Released DVD: 22 Apr 2002
Production year: 2001
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (2) of The Navigators

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    New Labour may be in the ascendancy, but little has changed for the average worker according to Ken Loach in this stinging swipe at post-socialist Britain. Joe Duttine and Tom Craig demonstrate suitable Yorkshire grit as the rail gangers whose livelihoods and self-esteem are jeopardised by privatisation. But, in spite of its wordily worthy asides, this is hardly Loach's most impassioned or persuasive picture. The humanity that gave his earlier socio-dramas an integrity to match their commitment has been replaced by a more strident politicking. Yet, this survey of exploited employees, divided communities and profit-driven management still rings all too true.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006
  • 2 stars out of 4

    Topical drama, full of righteous anger at the dismantling of Britain's rail service to the detriment of efficiency and safety, but the script is sometimes too polemical for its own good.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of The Navigators

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  • 8 out of 9 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Seminal

    This is a marvellous movie!

    It really shines a light on how the selfish legacy of the Eighties scarred the people of Britain.

    The characters started out as generally kindhearted and humourous and end up probably negligently killing a friend through fear of losing their jobs... what have we become backstabbing, selfish and manipulative all inspired by Thatcherism.

      • Dazjons from South Yorkshire
      • Posted 11 Apr 2006 10:48

  • Most recent members' review of The Navigators

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  • 5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Solid Loach Fare

    I remembered this a a TV drama rather than a Loach classic. When I say classic, it's not as beatiful as "Kes", it's not as heart wrenchingly desolate as "Raining Stones" but it is enjoyable. You have the classic mix of fine actors mixing it with non-actors (the guy in the chippy is looks genuinely scared when quetioned by tight John as to the whereabouts of his "free" sardines). It also highlights the ludicrous nature of railway privatisation and the effect it had on the working man. You could have swapped the site manager and the headteacher in "Kes" and not noticed the difference.

      • Simmy from West Yorkshire
      • Posted 09 Feb 2004 14:24

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Rating breakdown

855 Member ratings
  • 100
70
  • 90
76
  • 80
187
  • 70
194
  • 60
146
  • 50
74
  • 40
49
  • 30
25
  • 20
23
  • 10
11

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      • Ken Loach's THE NAVIGATORS follows a group of South Yorkshire railway workers during the mid-1990s privatisation of British Rail. The film features Loach's typically asute social commentary and ...