“They say that memories live longer than dreams. But my dreams, those dreams of long ago, they still give me hope and faith in my class. I can’t believe that there’s no hope.”
As a few previous posters have said the theme is once again all too familiar. What shocks me now is it's prob tame compared to today.
That is true.
Perhaps given the current climate the programme should be shown again on a mainstream channel.
I feel that BFTBS highlighted the class divide that has reared its ugly head again during this current crisis. Our govt has succeeded in one thing - creating a rift between the haves and have nots and allowing the demonising of the unemployed as scroungers.
Like the well acted characters in the show brilliantly portrayed - finding and keeping work during recession is soul destroying.
For the OP - watch it but have a box of hankies at the ready.
Amazing programme. Hard hitting, poignant and darkly humorous in spades. Yosser is a legend. Like other posters I found him amusing when I first saw the programme (when it first aired) not fully understanding his situation. (Hey, I was a child. And as a child I loved seeing his daughter headbutt the social worker! ) But it's amazing how relevant it is today. Essential viewing.
So glad you're enjoying this. I can tell you though ... that bits of it are heart-breaking.
Can I ask where you're from (or how old you are) in that you've not seen this yet?
I'm 28 and British. I do like a lot of the homegrown dramas and comedies of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Boys from the Blackstuff seemed to pass me by until I happened to see it mentioned on IMDB. I'm up to episode 4 now and enjoying it a lot. Nice to see Julie Walters in it.
I'm 28 and British. I do like a lot of the homegrown dramas and comedies of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Boys from the Blackstuff seemed to pass me by until I happened to see it mentioned on IMDB. I'm up to episode 4 now and enjoying it a lot. Nice to see Julie Walters in it.
Yosser’s Story was utterly stunning and breath-taking in it’s portrayal of life in one of the bleakest regions of the UK. Many areas are STILL suffering the after effects of tthat recession. Alan Bleasdale had an incredible grasp of how powerful the written word can be. One of our greatest storytellers that has ever lived. If I remember correctly, Alan Bleasdale’s children played the parts of Yosser’s children. They were like a little raggle taggle army.
Fabulous acting from all involved and is a very powerful drama, which will have you laughing and crying at the desparation of the early 80's
Unfortunately what goes around comes around and I can see some similarities between then and Camerons Britain
If you do get this and enjoy you will also enjoy what I believe is the best ever drama from BBC, Our Friends in the North. Cannot understand why this is never repeated
p.s. If Boys From The Blackstuff moves you, have a go at The Street (not Corrie - I mean this one - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Street_%28TV_series%29)
A series of separate - but intertwining - stories about the people who all live on one street in an area of Ooopnorth.
Look at the cast list.... Jim Broadbent, Tim Spall, Sue Johnston, Bob Hoskins, Mark Benton, Neil Dudgeon, Jane Horrocks, David Thewlis....
Plenty of stuff there to break your heart, lift you right back up, and then break your heart again.
p.s. If Boys From The Blackstuff moves you, have a go at The Street (not Corrie - I mean this one - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Street_%28TV_series%29)
A series of separate - but intertwining - stories about the people who all live on one street in an area of Ooopnorth.
Look at the cast list.... Jim Broadbent, Tim Spall, Sue Johnston, Bob Hoskins, Mark Benton, Neil Dudgeon, Jane Horrocks, David Thewlis....
Plenty of stuff there to break your heart, lift you right back up, and then break your heart again.
I'm 28 and British. I do like a lot of the homegrown dramas and comedies of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Boys from the Blackstuff seemed to pass me by until I happened to see it mentioned on IMDB. I'm up to episode 4 now and enjoying it a lot. Nice to see Julie Walters in it.
Glad you're enjoying it Fear of Fours. Julie was amazing in her main episode. I think episode 4's "Yosser's Story"..That's my particular favourite. Very moving.
Yosser’s Story was utterly stunning and breath-taking in it’s portrayal of life in one of the bleakest regions of the UK. Many areas are STILL suffering the after effects of tthat recession. Alan Bleasdale had an incredible grasp of how powerful the written word can be. One of our greatest storytellers that has ever lived. If I remember correctly, Alan Bleasdale’s children played the parts of Yosser’s children. They were like a little raggle taggle army.
Alan Bleasdale's kids were fantastic. So natural and convincing and had a great rapport with Bernard Hill's 'Yosser'.
I watched the series a little while back on Youtube. Excellent viewing.
In some ways it has dated, but the central premise, I would suggest is still relevent today.
Most people seem to recall Yosser, but the episode centering on Chrissy engaged me the most, followed by the episode with Dixie.
They seemed more believable and better acted.
Just my opinion:)
Definately the Yosser character was so memorable.
The acting from all the cast was superb and you're right to give credit to Chrissie, Dixie and Julie Walters giving an amazing performance.
George is a fantastic character too. In Bleasdales's writing bringing out the socialist values that, to some extent, are sadly now long gone.
Glad you're enjoying it Fear of Fours. Julie was amazing in her main episode. I think episode 4's "Yosser's Story"..That's my particular favourite. Very moving.
Thirty years since it was broadcast, so I don't know if or how it's dated. It was very much of its time, but maybe that time has come round again.
I don't think its an exaggeration to say that it was one of the very best things that has ever been produced for television.
Powerful stuff, though.
I watched this when it was originally broadcast and then bought the DVD's about 5 years ago, yes it has dated BUT the writing and acting is so powerful you see past that, this is a must buy!!!
I have the full series on DVD including the pilot 'Middlesbrough' one, even now I dig it out and watch it.
The first episode wasn't technically a pilot it was Play for Today play called 'The Black Stuff', the series followed after due to the (TV) play being so well recieved.
Comments
The very last words of George Malone
Its only one of the best things that has ever been on British TV. And with recent events - it has never become so current.
I loved the bit where Yosser is in the confessional.
Yosser - 'Father ... I'm desperate'
Priest - 'call me Dan'
Yosser - 'I'm Desperate Dan'.
So glad you're enjoying this. I can tell you though ... that bits of it are heart-breaking.
Can I ask where you're from (or how old you are) in that you've not seen this yet?
What shocks me now is it's prob tame compared to today.
That is true.
Perhaps given the current climate the programme should be shown again on a mainstream channel.
I feel that BFTBS highlighted the class divide that has reared its ugly head again during this current crisis. Our govt has succeeded in one thing - creating a rift between the haves and have nots and allowing the demonising of the unemployed as scroungers.
Like the well acted characters in the show brilliantly portrayed - finding and keeping work during recession is soul destroying.
For the OP - watch it but have a box of hankies at the ready.
I'm 28 and British. I do like a lot of the homegrown dramas and comedies of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Boys from the Blackstuff seemed to pass me by until I happened to see it mentioned on IMDB. I'm up to episode 4 now and enjoying it a lot. Nice to see Julie Walters in it.
She's also in G.B.H. and Jake's Progress.
Unfortunately what goes around comes around and I can see some similarities between then and Camerons Britain
If you do get this and enjoy you will also enjoy what I believe is the best ever drama from BBC, Our Friends in the North. Cannot understand why this is never repeated
In some ways it has dated, but the central premise, I would suggest is still relevent today.
Most people seem to recall Yosser, but the episode centering on Chrissy engaged me the most, followed by the episode with Dixie.
They seemed more believable and better acted.
Just my opinion:)
A series of separate - but intertwining - stories about the people who all live on one street in an area of Ooopnorth.
Look at the cast list.... Jim Broadbent, Tim Spall, Sue Johnston, Bob Hoskins, Mark Benton, Neil Dudgeon, Jane Horrocks, David Thewlis....
Plenty of stuff there to break your heart, lift you right back up, and then break your heart again.
^^^ Awesome comment.
Glad you're enjoying it Fear of Fours. Julie was amazing in her main episode.
Alan Bleasdale's kids were fantastic. So natural and convincing and had a great rapport with Bernard Hill's 'Yosser'.
Definately the Yosser character was so memorable.
The acting from all the cast was superb and you're right to give credit to Chrissie, Dixie and Julie Walters giving an amazing performance.
George is a fantastic character too. In Bleasdales's writing bringing out the socialist values that, to some extent, are sadly now long gone.
Another reason to check out both of those
I'm watching episode 4 tonight. Can't wait!
I watched this when it was originally broadcast and then bought the DVD's about 5 years ago, yes it has dated BUT the writing and acting is so powerful you see past that, this is a must buy!!!
The first episode wasn't technically a pilot it was Play for Today play called 'The Black Stuff', the series followed after due to the (TV) play being so well recieved.