Just watched today Urban and the Shed Crew, available now to stream through the Blenheim Films website. I had read Bernard Hare's book some four years ago or so, and have been looking forward to finally seeing the film.

It was well worth the wait, what an excellent film, with very strong performances. I do caution that it is a heartbreaking film to watch, it will take you on a roller coaster of emotions. But it will also make you think about our social responsibilities, from our governments yes, but also from ourselves.

I'm in the US, and though the film is set in Leeds in the UK, it is just as relevant to what happens here in our cities, and everywhere really to young people, to children, in need of care and hope.

Very strong performances from the entire cast, including all the young actors involved in this film. Bravo to Richard Armitage as Chop and Anna Friel as Greta, and a double Bravo to young Fraser Kelly as Urban. Bravo to director Candida Brady.

I would recommend watching the film first and then reading Bernard Hare's book, a true story. Mr. Hare is the real Chop.

This film really deserves to be seen.

Poignant and heartfelt film based on Bernard Hare's memoir Urban Grimshaw and the Shed Crew. I've been eagerly anticipating the release of this film and was not disappointed. Great performances by all, especially from Fraser Kelly and Richard Armitage, who play their roles with sensitivity. There are glimpses of pain and love beneath their hardened exteriors. Also, there were some really striking shots--kudos to the cinematographer.

Watched this on Blenheim Films' site and thankful for Candida Brady's persistence and passion to get this finally released to a global audience.

In November 2015 Leeds International Film Festival 2015 hosted the up to now only public screening of a beautiful movie called "Urban and the Shed Crew". The film isn't beautiful because of it's topic or the epic pictures in it. It's beautiful because it shows what compassion and dedication are able to move in a world, that's cold and turning away. It's the world of Urban Grimshaw, a little boy who fell out of the society in Maggie Thatcher's Great Britain. This film, picturing the autobiography of Bernard Hare with the same title is in parts uncomfortable to watch. It shows very realistically how Urban and his friends lived. But at the same time it carries so much sympathy for the characters, children and grown ups. It shows how bad life can get looking at Urban's mother Greta. And it shows how unexpectedly unconventional the way out of that life for Urban and a bit as well for Chop (Bernard Hare) happened.

This is my very personal review about the premiere of the film: http://wp.me/p55723-k8c