The Man With The Plan, an imaginative new film by award-winning director Christine Edzard and starring Simon Callow as William Beveridge is being released around the country from September 20th.

In 2026, as the country aspires to fundamental change and, dares to hope again, this new feature film explores the urgent relevance of William Beveridge’s radical vision to abolish the Five Giants of Want, Disease, Squalor, Idleness and Ignorance and for a more equitable society. From September 20th the film is touring independent cinemas, theatres, universities and community venues across Britain, asking its urgent questions to audiences nationwide: if, in 1942, it was possible to formulate such a plan for our society, why are we worse off today? And who benefits from this? Cleverly conceived, carefully written over six years of research and directed by Christine Edzard the film features a large cast and a powerful and very convincing performance by Simon Callow as William Beveridge. The eclectic cast includes Mark Thomas as The Narrator, Alan Cox as The Devil and Miriam Maroglyes as the voice of Squalor.

Sands Films Cinema continues its screenings in London.

Press screenings are available on request at Sands Films Cinema.

Synopsis

The film follows Flea, a young person of today played by screen newcomer Sophie Jenkin, who discovers William Beveridge’s post-war visionary plan for rebuilding Britain.

Through a series of imaginative encounters with the Five Giants and the Devil, dancing magpies, media sheep and Alice in Wonderland’s Dodo, Flea explores the political decisions, missed opportunities and social inequalities that have shaped Britain since the Report. Most importantly, Beveridge and all the recognisable politicians throughout the film speak their own words, quoted from their speeches or writings: this is a verbatim film.

After meeting Beveridge himself, Flea returns to the present day to listen to leading academics and campaigners, including Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Kate Pickett, Danny Dorling and others whose work continues to address many of the inequalities Beveridge identified more than eighty years ago.

Blending fantasy, political satire, allegories and documentary, The Man With The Plan offers a timely and much needed reflection on Britain’s past, present and future, concluding with a hopeful call for collective action. This is an ambitious and unapologetically campaign-focused film by an Oscar-nominated director with a provocative disregard for the usual conventions of commercial films.

Responses to The Man With The Plan

“A deeply engaging and inspiring watch. The Man With The Plan is timely, thought-provoking and a powerful reminder of what vision and determination can achieve.”

- Professor Kate Pickett OBE

“An urgent film for our times.”

- John Bird, The Big Issue

“A movie with a mission: to educate and to provoke viewers”

Victor Fraga, Dmovies.org

“I was knocked out by the film. It is a remarkable achievement, beautifully made, so imaginatively filmed and with such good acting.”

Nicolas Kent, Theatre director

Cast

The film features a cast led by:

Simon Callow as William Beveridge

Sophie Jenkin as Flea

Neil Gore as Want

Alan Cox as The Devil

Mark Thomas as The Narrator

Miriam Margolyes as the voice of Squalor

Additional cast members include Neil D’Souza, Andrew Tiernan, Hal Cruttenden, Michael Mears, Tweedy, Amelda Brown and many others.

The film also features appearances by academics, campaigners and activists including Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Kate Pickett, Danny Dorling, Rebecca O’Connell, Andrew Meyerson, Mark E. Thomas, Tansy Hoskins, Ian Hodson and representatives from organisations working in public health, housing, food justice, taxation ,environmental campaigning and social action.

Production

Written and directed by Christine Edzard, one of Britain’s most singularly inventive independent filmmakers, whose work includes Little Dorrit, The Fool, As You Like It and The Good Soldier Schwejk.

Produced and edited by Olivier Stockman, The Man With The Plan is an entirely independent, self-funded production, filmed at Sands Films Studio in Rotherhithe between October 2024 and May 2025.

UK Tour Dates

September 2026

Sunday 20 September – Otley Courthouse, West Yorkshire

Thursday 24 September – Community Base, Brighton

Friday 25 September – Cromer Community Centre, Norfolk

Friday 25 September – Bluecoat and FACT Picturehouse Liverpool PRESS NIGHT

Wednesday 30 September – Northampton Filmhouse, Northampton

October 2026

Thursday 1 October – Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough

Tuesday 6 October – West Lothian Trades Council

Wednesday 7 October – Fullerton Connexions, Irvine

Thursday 8 October – Birchvale Players, Dalbeattie

Thursday 8 October – Tyneside Irish Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne

Friday 9 October – North Edinburgh Arts

Friday 9 October – Redhills Durham Miners’ Hall, Durham

Wednesday 14 October – Working Class Movement Library, Salford

Thursday 15 October – Working Class Movement Library, Salford

Friday 16 October – University of York

Sunday 18 October – Rio Cinema,Dalston, London

Tuesday 20 October – The Lantern Theatre, Sheffield

Thursday 22 October – Strathearn Arts, Crieff

Thursday 29 October – The Station, Bristol

November 2026

Saturday 7 November – The Growforward Project, Chelfham, Devon

Wednesday 11 November – Redhouse Micropub, Chopwell, Tyne and Wear

Thursday 12 November – Halton Mill, Lancaster

Friday 13 November – Rotherham Trades Council

Sunday 15 November – Colchester Trades Council

Wednesday 18 November – The Board Room, Gatcombe House, Portsmouth

Thursday 19 November – London School of Economics

Thursday 26 November – Gill’s Bar & Banqueting, Wolverhampton

January 2027

Wednesday 27 January – The Place, Bedford

Further dates to be announced.

Press screenings are available on request.

Release Information

Running time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Certificate: 15 (for strong language)

Media Contact

Sands Films

82 St Marychurch Street

London SE16 4HZ

Email: beveridge@sandsfilms.co.uk

Website: www.sandsfilms.co.uk

Film page:

https://www.sandsfilms.co.uk/the-man-with-the-plan.html

Tour Enquiries

Email: beveridge@sandsfilms.co.uk

Townsend Theatre Productions

Email: info@townsendproductions.org.uk

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