And Then Come the Nightjars

The year 2001 brought a slew of tragedies across the world. One that flew over my radar (albeit I was only 11 years old in 2001) was the Foot and Mouth Disease epidemic among livestock throughout the UK. By December of that year, over six million animals were culled to stop the spread, leaving over 7,000 farmers without jobs and the meat and dairy economy on the razor’s edge of collapse. My grandparents were farmers in East Texas, and while they never had livestock, I couldn’t begin to imagine how devastating something like that could be to crops, much less living animals. “And Then Come the Nightjars” is Paul Robinson’s directorial debut and is based on first-time screenwriter Bea Roberts’s original award-winning stage play. The premise is relatively simple on the surface. A Devon-based cattle farmer and widower named Michael (performed with solemn sobriety by David Fielder) is confronted by the UK’s government officials to check Michael’s cattle for any signs of Foot and Mouth Disease. The cattle is all this elderly man has left. He never calls them livestock or cattle, nor cows or animals; he calls them “my girls.” To Michael, they’re so much more than a livelihood. They’re his only remaining family. One of the government officials, Jeff (played by Nigel Hastings) happens to be a friend of Michael’s. Not on the day of their arrival, however. And still, through bitterness and gritted teeth, they find their friendship grows deeper and closer from this slaughter of Michael’s “girls.” Some of my favorite friendship films aren’t the usual feel-good comedies. They’re usually dark dramas. “The Banshees of Inisherin,” “Frances Ha,” and most popularly “Stand By Me” hit so close to home because even in the darkest of times, we usually have that one friend that we can rely on, even if it is one of us who caused those dark times in the first place. With Robinson’s direction, Roberts’s profound script, the performances, and even Simon Slater’s entrancing score and cinematographer John Craine’s nature-focused shots, this is easily one of the greatest films of 2023. It is an absolute must-see.

Not to be missed. So glad I had a chance to watch it.

We thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming depiction of the friendship between a Devon farmer and the local vet, who face a difficult course of action when the foot and mouth crisis hits. There were some very poignant moments but also a great deal of humour. The wonderful performances of the two central characters make the relationship utterly convincing, resulting in a great film which is a joy to watch.

The story of two friends set against the background of the Foot & Mouth crisis, shown with a good balance of humour and darkness. Well made on a small budget

The dialogue between the two main characters gently unfolds to yield a wonderful, wry observation of rural England and human frailty that moves beyond the key event (the impact of foot and mouth on a particular farm). The music score is a joy. What was originally a play has not lost its essence. Highly recommended. More please.

Very enjoyable, gentle, bittersweet film about friendship.

Brilliant film. I remember the foot and mouth outbreak, but this film really brought to life the impact it had. Superbly cast, acted and directed.

Incredibly moving film. Incredible performances, a must see!

Good evening. I watched " then come the nightjars" with my daughter. We were moved by the film and already telling friends about it. I was disappointed to read , was it the Guardian or Telegraph, review that it did not address issues ie Brexit . I was incredulous at this short sightedness , it seemingly overlooking the production constraints. I thought it "exquisite " in its concentration. It's recurring motif of birds as harbinger's of death , the quail , the starlings on the barn door, the flock of crows and of course the nightjar at the start and at the close, was moving. Its intimacy juxtaposed in the panoramic landscape so effective. I'd asked Nigel about the title choice (aware of its myth) but wondering if it has anything to do with the nightjar being successful in Devon ( Aylesbeare particularly) but it seemed not. Do please pass this review to Nigel and thank him for his guest appearance. Kind regards Debbie

A wonderful and very hard-hitting insight into a lesser-known struggle in the rural communities in the wake of Foot and Mouth. Alongside this, there is the creation and development of a wonderful relationship between friends that leaves such a deep imprint as you finish the film. A beautiful directing debut that I'd recommend to anyone.