Rights holder / Distributor: Focus Features / Entertainment Film Distributors
„The Uprising“ (The Uprising) is a British-German-American historical drama with elements of action and war film, directed and written by Paul Greengrass. The story is inspired by the true events surrounding the Peasants' Revolt in England of 1381. The film is scheduled for theatrical release in the United States on September 11, 2026., with the premiere scheduled for September 10 in some European countries.
The plot takes us to 14th century England, a time marked by the plague, heavy taxes, and enormous social inequality. The story centers on a simple peasant who gradually becomes one of the leaders of a rebellion against the power of the young King Richard II. What begins as resistance to injustice grows into a mass uprising that threatens the very power of the monarchy.
In the lead role Andrew Garfield is transformed into Ploughman – a man of the people who does not seek power or fame, but gradually finds himself at the head of a movement much larger than himself. The actor gives the character a human dimension, emphasizing his transformation from an ordinary man into a symbol of resistance. The image is interesting precisely because the hero does not start out as a legendary figure – the legend is born in the course of the rebellion itself.
Among the main roles are Jamie Bell like John Ball, Stephen Dillane as Archbishop Sudbury, Tom Hollander, Cosmo Jarvis like Wat Tyler, Thomasin McKenzie, Jonny Lee Miller, Woody Norman and Katherine Waterston. The cast also includes Donal Finn, Skye Young, Stanley Townsend and Jamie McLachlan.
The direction of Paul Greengrass is particularly suited to such a story. The director is known for his dynamic and realistic approach to historical and military events, and "„The Uprising“"allows him to show one of the most dramatic moments in English medieval history. Rather than presenting the rebellion as just a series of large-scale battles, the film focuses on ordinary people who find themselves involved in historical events with enormous consequences.
One of the most interesting aspects of the production is its connection to the legend of Robin Hood. The official description of the film states that the events surrounding the rebellion helped inspire the legend of Robin Hood. In recent months, the marketing has caused some controversy after material emerged suggesting a more direct connection to Robin Hood, but the British distributor denied that the film was an official origin story for the legendary hero.
However, this does not diminish the historical interest of the story. The Peasants' Revolt of 1381 was one of the most significant popular uprisings in medieval England. The film uses this historical moment to examine themes such as social inequality, the abuse of power, and the desire of ordinary people to be heard. It is these themes that give the production a modern sound, even though the action takes place more than six centuries ago.
Visually "„The Uprising“" relies on a raw and realistic style. The cinematography is on Paul Ulvik Roxette, the installation is on William Goldenberg, and the music was composed by Volker Bertelmann. The creative team is clearly aiming for a sense of physical proximity to the events – mud, violence, chaos and tension instead of a romanticized picture of the Middle Ages.
„The Uprising“" has the potential to be one of the most serious historical films of 2026. Paul Greengrass uses a real historical event to tell a story about the rebellion of the people against a system that seems invincible. The presence of Andrew Garfield in the central role, the strong international cast and the scale of the production make the film an interesting proposition for fans of historical dramas.
For viewers who like realistic historical stories, large-scale uprisings, and films about the clash between the common man and power, "„The Uprising“" is a title that deserves attention. While the marketing connection to Robin Hood may attract additional interest, the essence of the film remains the historical narrative of the Peasants' Revolt of 1381 and the people who briefly managed to shake the foundations of royal power.
