Andrew Garfield Stars in 'The Uprising' Now Heading to Digital

Actor Andrew Garfield leads the cast of 'The Uprising,' a historical action epic directed by Paul Greengrass that explores a rebellion in medieval England. The film follows a ploughman who survives the plague and becomes a leader in a revolt against King Richard II, fighting for justice and survival. Despite a limited impact at the box office, the production is now moving to home audiences via digital platforms and physical media, providing a look at the hardships of the era.

Quick summary

• Andrew Garfield portrays a ploughman leading a rebellion against King Richard II during the 1381 Peasants' Revolt.
• The film becomes available on digital platforms on September 29, with 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD releases on November 3.
• Directed by Paul Greengrass, the movie grossed $7.8 million worldwide against a $20 million budget.
• The plot is inspired by the legacy of Robin Hood, though the character's name is never explicitly mentioned.
• Home releases include deleted scenes and featurettes on the production's approach to recreating medieval England.

What happened in 'The Uprising'

In 'The Uprising,' Andrew Garfield plays a plague-surviving ploughman who emerges as the leader of a ferocious rebellion against King Richard II. The story depicts a period where war engulfs England, and the protagonist unites the people into a powerful force to fight against a government described as corrupt and abusive. The narrative focuses on the sacrifices and hardships the characters face to achieve their goals.

The ensemble cast includes Jamie Bell as John Ball, Cosmo Jarvis as Wat Tyler, and other actors such as Stephen Dillane, Tom Hollander, Thomasin McKenzie, Jonny Lee Miller, Woody Norman, and Katherine Waterston. While the film draws heavy inspiration from the folk-hero legacy of Robin Hood, the marketing campaign was described as confusing and the character is not named as such in the film.

The film is transitioning to home media shortly after its theatrical debut. It will be available on digital platforms starting September 29. For those seeking physical copies, the 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD versions are scheduled for release on November 3, featuring bonus content like deleted scenes and featurettes on the cast and the production's recreation of medieval England.

How we got here and the box office performance

'The Uprising' debuted in theaters on September 11, but struggled to attract audiences. During its opening weekend, the film earned $3.3 million at the domestic box office. After nearly three weeks in theaters, the action epic grossed a total of $7.8 million worldwide, which is significantly lower than its $20 million budget.

According to MovieWeb, the film failed to make an impact during a month dominated by Sony Pictures' 'Resident Evil' reboot from Zach Cregger, which received near-perfect critical reviews. This competitive environment, combined with a confusing marketing campaign, contributed to the film's poor theatrical performance.

• September 11: Theatrical debut of 'The Uprising'.
• September 29: Digital platform release.
• November 3: Physical release on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD.

Who are the people involved

The film is headlined by Andrew Garfield, who plays the Ploughman, one of the leaders of the revolt. He is joined by Cosmo Jarvis, who portrays Wat Tyler, and Jamie Bell, who plays John Ball. These characters lead the revolution against the abusive government of the time.

The project was directed by Paul Greengrass, known for his work on the 'Bourne' series. The film is distributed by Focus Features, which is managing the transition from theatrical screens to digital and physical home media formats.

What the critics and sources say

Critical reception has been divided, with the film holding a 55% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Some critics noted the film's relevant messaging regarding socioeconomic inequality. However, MovieWeb described the 128-minute drama as a 'drab slog that tests your patience,' citing a lengthy runtime and an 'awkward' mix of real-life drama and myth.

Some reviews suggested that the characterizations of the lead rebels felt one-note, failing to make full use of the cast. Despite these negative points, some sources suggest the film could find redemption once it becomes available for digital streaming.

Explainer: The Peasants' Revolt and the Director

The film is based on the 1381 Peasants' Revolt in England. This was a historical uprising where laborers and peasants rebelled against the government and the social structures of the time under King Richard II. The 'Ploughman' refers to the agrarian workers who were central to this social movement.

The director, Paul Greengrass, is a filmmaker recognized for his work on the 'Bourne' movies. He is known for a style that often creates a sense of urgency and realism, which he applied to this historical setting to depict the intensity of the rebellion.

What comes next

The immediate next step is the digital release on September 29, followed by the physical media launch on November 3. These releases will allow viewers who missed the theatrical window to watch the film and access behind-the-scenes content.

While the digital and physical dates are confirmed, Focus Features has not yet officially announced a date for the film to arrive on a subscription streaming service.