The Gamekeeper

George Purse works as a gamekeeper on the Duke's estate on the outskirts of Sheffield. He is charged with apprehending any trespassers or poachers and delivering them to the police. The role strains his family life when his son is bullied at school by one of the people he has caught.

Mary feels isolated inside their cottage and questions the annual pheasant shoot. She worries about the emotional distance growing between them and the effect of George's dangerous work on their family life. Her misgivings highlight the social cost of the estate's traditions.

The film shows George restraining, trapping and sometimes killing animals as part of his duties. This depicts a pragmatic, unflinching approach to land management. The scenes emphasize the tension between his real-world work and his personal feelings about animals.

In a pub, two friends argue that poaching is not a great crime. They discuss the origins of land ownership and how it is tied to monarchical patronage. George listens and begins to question his own stance.

Later, in a separate conversation with another worker, George echoes concerns about inherited wealth and the Duke's power. He starts to articulate a critical view of the social hierarchy that props up the estate. The exchange marks a turning point as he questions his own loyalty.

While feeding the pheasants, George confronts two former steelworks colleagues who are poaching on the land. One man flees, but the other—a man from Durham—stays behind because his dog can't run. George threatens to shoot the dog unless the man accompanies him to the police station.

Shortly before the shoot, George learns that the beaters intend to strike for higher pay. He jokes that their demand is not high enough, creating awkward tension about which side he is really on. The confrontation ends with the decision to concede the pay increase.

With the shoot underway, George swears at the beaters and drives them to work harder. A guest at the event complains to the Duke about his behavior. George's tough management style continues to define his authority on the estate.

The Duke tells George not to swear in front of ladies but subtly rewards his competence with a tip. The exchange reveals a complicated power dynamic: outward discipline paired with quiet patronage. George absorbs the rebuke and the tip, balancing respect for authority with his own harsh routines.

George asks again about repairing a stubborn window-frame he had inquired about months earlier, but the request is rebuffed. The moment underscores the neglect he faces from the estate's hierarchy. It also foreshadows the personal cost of his service.

The shoot continues under George's wary supervision, reflecting ongoing tensions with the beaters and the landowners. He maintains strict control, insisting on performance and obedience. The atmosphere is tense, hinting at the unsustainable strain in his life.

At the end, Mary has left the cottage, and George is left alone. She leaves only a pie for him to heat up, a small domestic symbol of her withdrawal. The final image emphasizes isolation and the unresolved conflict between duty and personal happiness.