A Sense of Freedom is a 1979

1979 in film

The year 1979 in film involved some significant events.- Major events :* March 5 - Production begins on Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.* May 25 - Alien, a landmark of the science fiction genre, is released....

 Scottish crime film

Crime film

Crime films are films which focus on the lives of criminals. The stylistic approach to a crime film varies from realistic portrayals of real-life criminal figures, to the far-fetched evil doings of imaginary arch-villains. Criminal acts are almost always glorified in these movies.- Plays and films...

 directed by John Mackenzie

John Mackenzie

John Mackenzie , known as "Frenzy Mackenzie", was a British film director. Born in Edinburgh, he worked in British film from the late 1960s, first as an assistant director and later as an independent director himself. He has been described by critics as "a solid and reliable filmmaker with.....

 for Scottish Television

Scottish Television

Scottish Television is Scotland's largest ITV franchisee, and has held the ITV franchise for Central Scotland since 31 August 1957. It is the second oldest ITV franchisee still active...

. The film starred David Hayman

David Hayman

David Hayman is a Scottish film and television actor and director, best known for his role as DCS Mike Walker in ITV drama Trial and Retribution. He also a prominent supporter of the SNP's call for Scottish independence....

 and featured Hector Nicol

Hector Nicol

Hector Nicol was a Scottish comedian, singer and actor, who was born in Paisley, Scotland.-Acting career:Nicol starred in few shows during his career. His most notable role was that of a dying gangster in the BBC Television series, Just a Boys' Game and also in A Sense of Freedom...

 & Fulton Mackay

Fulton Mackay

Fulton Mackay OBE was a Scottish actor and playwright, best known for his role as prison officer Mr. Mackay in the 1970s sitcom Porridge.-Early life:...

, is a based on the autobiography of Glasgow gangster Jimmy Boyle

Jimmy Boyle (artist)

Jimmy Boyle is a Scottish sculptor, novelist and convicted criminal.In 1967 he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of another gangland figure, William "Babs" Rooney...

, who was reputed to be Scotland's most violent man. Due to non-co-operation by the Scottish Prison Service

Scottish Prison Service

The Scottish Prison Service is an executive agency of the Scottish Government tasked with managing prisons in Scotland...

 in allowing a film crew access to their property, Hayman's scenes in prison were filmed in Dublin's Kilmainham Jail.