''A Sense of Freedom'' is a 1981 Scottish

crime film Crime films, in the broadest sense, is a film genre inspired by and analogous to the crime fiction literary genre. Films of this genre generally involve various aspects of crime and its detection. Stylistically, the genre may overlap and combin ...

directed by John Mackenzie for

Scottish Television Scottish Television (now, legally, known as STV Central Limited) is the ITV network franchisee for Central Scotland. The channel — the largest of the three ITV franchises in Scotland — has been in operation since 31 August 1957 and is th ...

. The film stars

David Hayman David Hayman (born 9 February 1948) is a Scottish film, television and stage actor and director, known for his role as DCS Mike Walker in ITV drama ''Trial & Retribution'', as Jonas Franks in BBC period drama '' The Paradise'' and as Brace i ...

and featured Jake D'Arcy,

Sean Scanlan Sean Scanlan (18 August 1948 – 17 April 2017) was a Scottish actor. He is known primarily for his many television and stage roles. Career Scanlan appeared in a large number of plays and television programmes, including as Dougie the shi ...

Hector Nicol Hector Nicol (9 November 1920 – 2 July 1985) was a Scottish comedian, singer and actor. Acting career Nicol starred in few shows during his career. His most notable role was that of a dying gangster in the BBC Television play '' Just a Boys' ...

Alex Norton Alexander Hugh Norton (born 27 January 1950) is a Scottish actor. He is known for his roles as DCI Matt Burke in the STV detective drama series '' Taggart'', Eric Baird in BBC Two sitcom '' Two Doors Down'', DCS Wallace in '' Extremely Dangerou ...

and Fulton Mackay. It is based on the autobiography of Glasgow gangster Jimmy Boyle, who was reputed to be Scotland's most violent man. Due to non-co-operation by the

Scottish Prison Service The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is an executive agency of the Scottish Government tasked with managing prisons and Young Offender Institutions. The Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, currently Teresa Medhurst, is responsible f ...

in allowing a film crew access to their property, Hayman's scenes in prison were filmed in Dublin's

Kilmainham Jail Kilmainham Gaol ( ga, Príosún Chill Mhaighneann) is a former prison in Kilmainham, Dublin, Ireland. It is now a museum run by the Office of Public Works, an agency of the Government of Ireland. Many Irish revolutionaries, including the leade ...

. A harrowing tale of a habitual and brutal criminal. Boyle repeatedly resisted attempts by the Prison Service to dampen his temper. He was brutally assaulted many times by Prison Officers. He also assaulted many staff including a brutal attack causing an officer to lose his eye. The film received a BAFTA nomination for ''Best Single Play''. The music is by

Frankie Miller Francis John Miller (born 2 November 1949) is a Scottish rock singer-songwriter and actor. Miller wrote for and performed with many recording artists and is best known for his 1977 album ''Full House'', the singles "Be Good To Yourself", " D ...

and

Rory Gallagher William Rory Gallagher ( ; 2 March 1948 – 14 June 1995) was an Irish guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer. Due to his virtuosic playing, but relative lack of fame compared to some others, he has been referred to as "the greatest ...

Cast

* Jimmy Boyle -

*Rab - Jake D'Arcy *Jada -

*Malkie -

*Piper - John Murtagh *Chief officer - Roy Hanlon *Inspector Davidson - Fulton Mackay *Bobbie Dougan - Martin Black *Uncle Jodie -

*Barman - Frank Welshman *Boyle's mother - Katy Gardiner *Archie - Billy Jeffrey *Judge - David Steuart *Prison officer - Ken Drury *Prison governor - Gerry Slevin *Prison governor - Ron Paterson *Prison governor - Hugh Martin *Special unit officer - Jackie Farrell

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Sense of Freedom, A 1980s prison films 1981 films Scottish films British docudrama films Scottish television shows Television shows produced by Scottish Television 1981 in Scotland History of Glasgow Culture in Glasgow 1980s in Scottish television Television shows set in Glasgow 1981 in British television British prison drama films Films directed by John Mackenzie (film director) 1981 drama films 1985 drama films 1985 films 1980s English-language films 1980s British films