Kes Budget

What is known about the production of Kes?

"Kes," a drama released in 1970, was directed by Ken Loach and stars David Bradley, Freddie Fletcher. The production budget has not been publicly disclosed, though Woodfall Film Productions, Kestrel Films produced the film, making it a notable entry in the drama landscape whose financial details remain private.

Key Budget Allocation Categories

While specific budget breakdowns are not publicly available, typical cost drivers for a drama production like this include:

• Production: The film (and the book upon which it was based, by Barry Hines) were semi-autobiographical, Hines having been a teacher in the school in which it was set, and wishing to critique the education system of the time.
• Filming & Locations: The film was shot on location, including in St Helens School, Athersley South, and Edward Sheerien School (demolished in 2011); and in and around the streets of Hoyland and Hoyland Common in South Yorkshire.

What were the major cost factors in Kes?

Several factors contributed to the overall production costs of "Kes."

• Production: Production is one of the primary cost drivers in drama productions of this scale.
• Filming: Filming & Locations is one of the primary cost drivers in drama productions of this scale.

Kes Production History

The film was shot on location, including in St Helens School, Athersley South, and Edward Sheerien School (demolished in 2011); and in and around the streets of Hoyland and Hoyland Common in South Yorkshire. A number of the shooting locations are detailed in a "then and now" comparison page compiled by Adam Scovell in 2018. [Filming locations] The film was shot on location, including in St Helens School, Athersley South, and Edward Sheerien School (demolished in 2011); and in and around the streets of Hoyland and Hoyland Common in South Yorkshire.

Awards and Recognition

Won 2 BAFTA 6 wins & 5 nominations total

• National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
• Crystal Globe (17th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)

Critical Reception

The film took several months to find a cinema release. It was eventually picked up by ABC Cinemas and had a successful run in some cinemas in north England which went very well and led to the film being expanded throughout Britain. The movie became a word-of-mouth hit, eventually making a profit. However, it was a commercial flop in the US and was withdrawn after two days. In his four-star review, Roger Ebert said that the film failed to open in Chicago, and attributed the problems to the Yorkshire accents.