George Purse (Phil Askam) is a former steelworker who has taken the job as gamekeeper on the Yorkshire estate of a duke. He’s not popular with locals in the pub after expressing forthright views on poaching, and with his aristocratic boss mostly absent, George measures out his seasons on the land, tending to the animals and patching up his rundown cottage.

Based on Barry Hines’ novel, The Gamekeeper is a haunting critique of the class system, its understated manner betraying nothing of its power and pertinence.

This film is screening as part of Ken Loach (Part One), May 3rd – 28th. Loach’s latest film, Jimmy’s Hall, opens at the IFI on May 30th.