Synopsis

A 1989 crime drama film, For Queen and Country is the story of a British paratrooper named Reuben James (Denzel Washington), who joined the British army in an attempt to escape the poverty of inner city London where he was raised.

After spending six years in the army serving his country, Reuben returns to his former home of East End London only to discover that conditions have not changed and that the poverty, crime and racism from his youth has actually gotten worse.

Encountering brutality at the hands of the police and dealing with his friends who have turned to crime, Reuben must deal with the pressures his friends place on him to join them whilst battling unemployment.

When the British government changes their nationality laws, Reuben who was born in the West Indies discovers that he cannot claim British citizenship or even official residency, despite his honourable service in the Army, and subsequently feels betrayed by the nation that he once fought for.

After gaining a job driving a taxi for a short while, Reuben finds himself falling into business with Colin (Bruce Payne), an underworld figure who has always treated Reuben with respect in the past. Reuben decides not to become a criminal, but a vigilante striving to clean up his home and bring the justice he feels is missing.