In the summer of 1984, Joe (George McKay - Sunshine On Leith) tentatively joins London's gay pride march. “Is this your first time?” asks a placard waving activist who enlists Joe's help. “It's my first everything,” he says.

But within moments their banner is swapped as group leader Mark suddenly pledges to aid Welsh miners who, in Thatcher's Britain, are suffering at the hands of an unsympathetic government. So begins an unholy alliance between the newly minted LGSM (Lesbians & Gays Support the Miners) and a small, conservative community in rural Wales. They're all in for the surprise of their lives.

What makes Pride such a treat, and there's no denying the overwhelming feel-good factor of this sensational film, is how it places gay rights on a footing of equal persecution. Mining communities are being bullied, just like we are,” provokes Mark (a terrific Ben Schnetzer) whose sense of right sparks a fundraising campaign like no other. It's soon clear that this is not yet another sorry tale of victimhood but one of civil rights.

Stephen Beresford's screenplay places his utterly compelling story in a parallel structure framed around Joe's metamorphosis from wide-eyed and illegal 20 year old to emboldened campaigner. The groups' struggles are largely the same, people prepared to fight for their rights and consequently, hatred and violence is never far from centre frame – toward miners or gay campaigners – an anger that lends greater resonance to the film's lighter moments. Let's not forget, Pride is a very funny film.

Toss in a tangible sense of the era plus rock solid performances by McKay, Bill Nighy (About Time), Dominic West (The Hour) and the redoubtable Imelda Staunton (Another Year) and you not only have the feel great hit of the year, but an inspirational story of how disparate communities are always closer than they think. It'll bring a tear to your eye. And as the film powers toward a rousing finale, remember that most of what happens here, actually happened.

// COLIN FRASER

Previewed at Sony Theatrette, Sydney on 14 August 2014