I’ve never warmed to Shane Meadows, he always seems over-earnest to me. However, there’s no denying the heart and power of this film. It does the difficult trick of rewriting the ’skin’ stereotype and also explaining the racism possible within the sub-cultural group.
I think Shaun (aged 12) is a little on the young side (particularly in his relationship with Smell) however Turgoose’s performance is terrific. The film is marked by marvellous acting: Stephen Graham’s troubled, loathsome, pathetic and frightening Combo; Joe Gilgun’s wonderful Woody and Vicky McLure’s lovely Lol.
The economic recession that characterised Thatcher’s early years, and the gung-ho patriotism of the Falklands war, forms the backdrop to the film. We’re in recession again and the ‘war on terror’ has increased xenophobia so Meadow’s portrait of the pathetic and dangerous hatred engendered by racism is timely.
itp Global Film 
Not sure what you mean by “Shaun is a little on the young side”. It’s a largely autobiographical film – or at least based on the events of Meadows’ own life, so I’m guessing that ‘Shaun’ is the same age as Shane was.
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I’m sure you’re right (Sean/Shane) but dramatically it seems more ridiculous (the size/age difference) than a ‘coming of age’ event. Still ‘print the truth rather than the legend’.
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It’s clear to me that Meadows thinks that Turgoose ‘represents’ the young Meadows as no other actor could. I agree that physically in This is England, he looks too small, but I guess that Meadows could argue that there is a ‘truth’ in his performance that is more important than the realism/credibility argument. Sounds a really good issue to discuss with students. You could use the various Meadows/Turgoose interviews in which they discuss making the film. (I think I put a link on the Somers Town entry (no 2))
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