A man climbed onto his roof and stayed there for over three years. It’s the unbelievable story of a man who turned a personal protest into a town-wide movement in Barry, Wales.
Credit to Colossal for putting this one on our radar — those guys are cool!
Trailer for “Rick on the Roof”
You Can’t Make This Sh!t Up
- Rick lived on the roof of his house for over 1,000 days—from 2006 to 2009—even through brutal Welsh winters, using a tent, tarps, and later a custom-made rooftop shack.
- His neighbors threw street parties and regularly hoisted up food, supplies, and even newspapers to keep him informed and fed.
- Rick became such a local icon that people started spray painting “Free Rick” slogans and organizing events under the banner of “Roof Aid.”
Watch “Rick on the Roof”
You can watch “Rick on the Roof” on YouTube here.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 92/100
- IMDB Rating: not yet rated
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: not yet rated
Director’s Note: Isaac Atkin-Mayne made this film after years of hearing about “the guy on the roof” growing up. He captures the quiet dignity in Rick’s strange protest. He also shines a light on the collective strength of a community pushed to its limit. It’s a tribute to Barry as much as it is to Rick.
Release Date: 2025
My Review of “Rick on the Roof”
The Setup
When Rick Canty lost his home in Barry, Wales in 2006, he didn’t march or picket. He climbed onto the roof and refused to come down for more than three years. What began as a protest against what he claimed were bogus bankruptcy charges turned into a symbol of resistance for an entire working-class neighborhood.
His protest ended only after a mysterious rooftop injury that forced him down. Local rumors still swirl about what really happened.
More Highlights from the Doc
- The film uses home video and local news clips to show how the eviction unraveled. Rick says the bankruptcy charges were tied to fraud, but no one listened—until he went vertical.
- Filmmaker Isaac Atkin-Mayne, who grew up in Barry, layers in recent interviews with the same neighbors who once pulled together during the protest. Their reflections bring emotional weight to the story.
- One neighbor recalls organizing a barbecue and tying sausages to a rope to send them up to Rick while he waved from above.
- The doc subtly draws a line from Rick’s protest to today’s housing and eviction struggles in the UK, especially in working-class towns like Barry.
Wrap Up
This is the rare eviction story that turns into a folk tale. If you want to see what protest, pride, and community look like—watch Rick wave from the rooftop.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc