The Uprising is a gripping historical drama inspired by the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381. The film follows Andrew Garfield as the fictional Ploughman, who becomes caught up in the growing rebellion, alongside the historical figures Wat Tyler, played by Cosmo Jarvis, and John Ball, played by Jamie Bell. As the revolt gathers momentum, the rebels eventually make their way towards London and come into direct conflict with the Crown. Woody Norman plays the young King Richard II, while Thomasin McKenzie plays Alyce, another character drawn into the uprising.

The performances are generally excellent. Jamie Bell and Cosmo Jarvis give particularly strong performances, while Woody Norman is convincing as Richard II, portraying a very young king faced with an extraordinary challenge to royal authority. Thomasin McKenzie is less convincing, largely because of her accent, which at times sounds more reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady than a medieval English peasant.

The film's main weakness is perhaps its first two thirds. The large crowd scenes effectively convey the scale and chaos of the rebellion, but the constant shouting, combined with the noise of hundreds of extras, can make some of the dialogue difficult to follow. This occasionally makes the plot and relationships between the characters harder to grasp than they should be.

The film becomes considerably more compelling in its final third, when the story becomes more focused and the tension between the rebels and the authorities builds. The final section is particularly effective and gives the film a strong sense of momentum and drama.

The historical background is fascinating. The real revolt began in 1381 after years of social and economic tension, intensified by the effects of the Black Death and resentment over taxation. The film draws on these events but also takes considerable liberties, particularly through its fictional central character. It is best viewed as a historical drama rather than a completely accurate reconstruction of events.

Overall, The Uprising is an impressive and often gripping film. Although the noisy crowd scenes occasionally make the early part difficult to follow, the strong performances, historical setting and increasingly tense final third make it well worth watching.