How the Bold and Bloody True Story Behind The Uprising Reverberates Through History
How Paul Greengrass approached his account of the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, which stars Andrew Garfield as an anonymous rebel with nothing left to lose.
The Uprising, a film directed by Paul Greengrass, brings to life the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 in England. The story centers on Ploughman, a farmer portrayed by Andrew Garfield, who has lost his wife and children to the Black Death and now struggles to survive. The pandemic claimed an estimated half of England's population, leaving villagers impoverished and desperate.
The rebellion's spark ignited when tax collectors arrived in Essex, prompting villagers to rise against the oppressive authorities. The uprising rapidly spread to Kent, led by Wat Tyler, a former soldier from the French wars. Tyler joined forces with Ploughman, a fictional character created by Greengrass to symbolize the countless ordinary people who participated in the revolt.
The film's central theme underscores the power of collective action, as the ordinary people realized that they held the ability to shape their own destiny. Greengrass avoids focusing on historical figures like Tyler or Ploughman, instead opting to create a character who embodies the spirit of the entire uprising.
Historian Dan Jones attributes the rebellion's success to the economic hardship brought about by the Black Death, which led to a surge in wages and a decline in rents. However, the government responded by enacting laws to suppress wages and impose heavy taxes on the already struggling population. The revolt's success stemmed from the people's recognition that they could challenge the established social order and demand a fairer society.
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