Friday Film - Nuts in May (1976)
If you’ve ever had a campsite argument over misplaced tent pegs or tried to cook a proper meal on a dodgy camping stove, Nuts in May will feel uncomfortably familiar. Though not strictly a film in the way others on this list are, it's not something we can help but recommend.
Mike Leigh’s cult classic follows Keith and Candice-Marie, a painfully earnest couple trying to live out the perfect wholesome countryside retreat.
Roger Sloman and Alison Steadman pull off proper memorable turns in the lead roles, to a backdrop of nature walks, educational lectures, and the occasional meltdown over firewood etiquette. It's so relatable for anyone who grew up in that era and ever went on a family camping holiday.
Beyond that, Nuts in May because it captures the brilliant absurdity of British camping culture in that time. It’s not glamorous, but it’s gloriously real: muddy boots, wet socks and that universal tension between “getting away from it all” and realising you’ve brought all your problems (and your partner) with you. The thing about camping holidays is despite all of their benefits, they're rarely quite as relaxing and enjoyable as they promise. Whether it's the weather, practical problems or the realisation that you don't really like other humans, Nuts in May gets it bang on.
The film is a slow burn, in the best sense. If you're used to watching big-budget Hollywood blockbusters, this will be an uncomfortable departure, but stick with it. It starts off gently, with birdwatching, fossil-hunting, and memorable folk songs by the fire. It's at this point you realise there's an underlying humour that'll stick with you long after you've finished watching. Keith spirals into comic chaos as fellow campers, motorbikes, and differing philosophies of life enter the scene.
Style-wise, it’s a goldmine of British practical clothing from the 1970s. The knitwear! The anoraks! The rugby shirts! The sensible walking boots! The "plimsoles for clambering about the rocks". It’s seventies outdoor chic at its finest, before a plethora of performance fabrics turned our heads, before ultralight everything. Just hardy British layers, questionable yet cool hats, and a sense of pride in being at one with nature (even if it’s only Dorset).
If you’ve ever admired vintage hiking gear or wax jackets that look better with age, this one’s for you.
Like many of Mike Leigh's creations the strength of this film lies in the complex characters it tells the story of. We've all met Keith and Candice-Marie at some point.
There are lots of films that feed into the DNA of Hikerdelic, from star-studded epics to quirky cult classics. This is defo the latter.