We Are the Lambeth Boys
We Are the Lambeth Boys

Movie spotlight

We Are the Lambeth Boys

1959
Movie
53 min
English

Seminal piece of documentary filmmaking by New Wave director Karel Reisz following the daily activities of members of the Lambeth Youth club in late-1950s London.

Insights

IMDb7.3/10
Director: Karel ReiszGenres: Documentary, Short

Plot Summary

This documentary observes a group of working-class teenagers from South London as they engage in their typical activities, including socializing, dancing, and playing cricket. It offers a glimpse into their lives and aspirations during the late 1950s, contrasting their vibrant youth culture with the societal perceptions of their generation.

Critical Reception

We Are the Lambeth Boys was widely praised upon its release for its empathetic portrayal of youth and its innovative cinematic style. It is considered a significant piece of British social documentary filmmaking, capturing a specific subculture with authenticity and vitality.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its authentic and non-judgmental portrayal of working-class youth.

  • Noted for its energetic and observational filmmaking style.

  • Considered an important social document of post-war British youth culture.

Google audience: Audience reception information for this specific historical documentary is not readily available through public Google user reviews.

Fun Fact

The film was made for the Ford Motor Company's educational film unit, and its subject matter was chosen to counter negative stereotypes of Teddy Boys and other youth subcultures of the era.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

What's really clear from early on in this documentary, is the sense of community these lads exude. Their daily jobs - from the lively to the mundane, or their schooling, all just a means to an end. An end to an evening where they will congr...