A Sense of Freedom is a movie of two halves. The first half being about his exploits on the streets of Glasgow and the second being about his incarceration for murder.
I first saw this film when I was 11 and to this day it's one of the most shocking and violent prison movies I have ever seen. The only thing it's missing is an anal rape scene but I think that's a good thing in a way. Even with that said this is still one of the most violent and disgusting films I have ever seen.. and I love it!
Thanks to this film and Trainspotting I never want to go to Scotland. The film has some amazing scenes of drama and violence throughout, and the fact it's all based on true events makes it that little bit more horrifying. From scenes where a mass knife fight happens on the streets of Glasgow which sprawls onto a double decker bus full of women and children to the non stop battles inside the prison walls (including a scene involving the dirtiest prison protest ever), this film will shock you like no other of its kind.
The film is well played and well made with David Hayman doing an excellent job in the lead role as Jimmy Boyle. The real life Jimmy Boyle served his time in jail and went on to become a famous sculptor and ended up doing a lot of good post prison.
