This Is England is a film based around a 12 year old boy named Shaun who runs into a skinhead gang where he is first welcomed by Woody but then influenced by Combo's (returning from prison) racist views.
The narrative could be seen as fitting into Freytag's Dramatic Structure -
- Exposition - Introduction, school life and being bullied.
- Rising Action - Joining the gang led by Woody, developing relationships with the members
- Climax - Combo's impact on Shaun, Falklands War effects on Shaun, developing relationship with Combo, National Front views.
- Falling Action - Meeting back with Smell, Combo failing to win back Lol.
- Catastrophe - Combo severely assaulting Milky.
Or possibly Todorov's theory, but the ending doesn't bring the chaos to an end. There are no clear heroes or villains in the film suggesting it doesn't fit Propp's Theory, neither is it a mysterious film therefore not fitting into Barthes' Enigma Code.
There is a slight sense of 2 sides in conflict in the film when Combo returns from jail expressing his views. This causes the original gang led by Woody to be split into another group led by Combo, taken to the National Front meetings and with a sense of racism.
The King's Speech
The King's Speech is about Prince Albert becoming King of England and overcoming his speech stammer.
I personally do not think it fits into Freytag's theory as the narrative builds up towards the 1939 declaration of war speech peaking at the end of the film.
I think it fits best into Todorov's theory.
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