10 Must-Watch Films on Social Class Struggles

Description: This adaptation of E.M. Forster's novel explores the interactions between three families from different social classes, focusing on themes of inheritance, property, and social mobility.

Fact: Emma Thompson won an Oscar for Best Actress for her role as Margaret Schlegel, and the film was nominated for nine Academy Awards.

Description: This film examines the life of a butler, Stevens, whose dedication to his duties at an English country house blinds him to the political and social changes around him, reflecting on class loyalty and personal sacrifice.

Fact: Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson, who play the lead roles, were both nominated for Oscars for their performances.

Description: A group of unemployed steelworkers from Sheffield turn to stripping to make ends meet, highlighting the economic and social challenges faced by the working class in post-industrial Britain.

Fact: The film's title is a British slang term for "the whole thing," and it was a surprise hit, earning over $250 million worldwide.

Description: Set against the backdrop of the 1984-85 miners' strike, this film follows a young boy from a working-class family who discovers his passion for ballet, challenging traditional notions of masculinity and class.

Fact: Jamie Bell, who played Billy, was discovered in a Newcastle shopping centre. The film's soundtrack, featuring T. Rex's "Cosmic Dancer," became iconic.

Description: This film adaptation of Alan Bennett's play focuses on a group of bright working-class boys in 1980s Britain, exploring themes of education, ambition, and the clash between different teaching philosophies.

Fact: The film features an ensemble cast of British actors, many of whom were in the original stage production.

Description: The story of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, whose life is a study in class, politics, and personal freedom, as she navigates the rigid social expectations of her time.

Fact: Keira Knightley's performance was critically acclaimed, and the film was shot in several historic locations, including Chatsworth House, the real-life home of the Duke of Devonshire.

Description: This film explores the relationship between King George VI, who struggles with a stammer, and his speech therapist, Lionel Logue, highlighting the class differences and the personal growth that transcends social boundaries.

Fact: Colin Firth won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of King George VI. The film was also nominated for 12 Oscars, winning four.

Description: Set during the 1984 miners' strike, this heartwarming film tells the story of an unlikely alliance between a group of gay and lesbian activists and a Welsh mining community, showcasing the power of solidarity across class lines.

Fact: The film is based on a true story, and the real-life characters from the story attended the premiere. It also features a vibrant soundtrack with songs from the era.

Description: A young woman in 19th-century rural England, trapped in a loveless marriage, takes drastic measures to assert her independence, reflecting on the constraints of class and gender.

Fact: The film is loosely based on Nikolai Leskov's novella "Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District," but set in England. Florence Pugh's performance was widely praised, marking her as a rising star.

Description: This Merchant Ivory production delves into the Edwardian era's social customs, class distinctions, and the personal liberation of a young woman, Lucy Honeychurch.

Fact: The film won three Oscars, including Best Adapted Screenplay, and was a critical and commercial success.