The Happy Lands

The Happy Lands is a 2012 British film written by Peter Cox and Robert Rae about a coal-mining community in Fife, Scotland during the long strike of 1926. The film was released on 17 February 2012. Much of the dialogue in the film is in Scots.

The film begins with a miner suffering a back injury at a colliery in the fictional village of Carhill. When confronted about working conditions, the mine owner responds by saying that the workers are locked out until they accept a settlement that involves longer working hours and lower wages. The rest of the film shows the various stages of the eight-month strike by coal miners across Britain, including the general strike launched by the Trade Union Congress in support of the miners. The film makes several references to the First World War, in which many of the striking miners fought and were rewarded for their bravery.

Cast

Kevin Clarke as Michael Brogan

Jokie Wallace as Dan Guthrie

Aaron Jones as Wee Baxie

Kevin Adair as Davey King

Farah Ahmed as Mary Miller

Stevie Allan as Pug Henderson

Jez Arrow as Economic League

Michael Barney as Special Constable

Madeline Berry as Granny King

Josh Brown as Pat Brogan

Cllr Willie Clarke as Regional Union Official

Craig Clarke as Andy Jenkins

Kristen Clarke as Billy Jenkins

Patricia Colville as Jenny Saville

Fiona Combe as Lily Wilson