This is an unusual episode. Not just because of the brief post-credits sequence (which I haven't yet seen in any other TOTU story) but because it is more comedic in nature than any of the other stories I've seen so far (and this is the first time I've viewed the series, as Sky Arts are currently showing it on Freeview in the UK) and also because it does not contain any moral judgements. It reminded me of the British TV series 'Bottom' which is also about two young men sharing a dingy London flat. The only difference is that unlike Bottom, the violence doesn't involve the two friends hitting each other.
Reviews
24 Reviews
Nostalgic footage of Bath in the late 1970's
24 January 2024
I've just started watching the series on Sky Arts and this episode is better than the previous two ('William & Mary and 'Lamb to the Slaughter') because the twist is more shocking and unexpected than these two were.
Something none of the other reviewers have mentioned is the arguably erotic nature of this episode. The landlady, who is not particularly pretty but has beautifully painted long fingernails (which are especially noticeable at the beginning) clearly behaves as if she is lonely and wants to sleep with the young man, which in real life would be quite a plausible scenario and must have happened.
Another thing I liked about this episode is the genuine location filming (you can even see the ground of Bath Cricket Club from the train, and old buses are visible on the street) which shows how Bath looked in the winter of 1978-79, which I think is when the episode was filmed.
Something none of the other reviewers have mentioned is the arguably erotic nature of this episode. The landlady, who is not particularly pretty but has beautifully painted long fingernails (which are especially noticeable at the beginning) clearly behaves as if she is lonely and wants to sleep with the young man, which in real life would be quite a plausible scenario and must have happened.
Another thing I liked about this episode is the genuine location filming (you can even see the ground of Bath Cricket Club from the train, and old buses are visible on the street) which shows how Bath looked in the winter of 1978-79, which I think is when the episode was filmed.
Scams didn't begin with the internet
15 December 2023
I'm sure most of you have in recent years, received an e-mail informing you that you are entitled to a large sum of money because someone has died in a plane crash in Africa. This particular Crown Court storyline, 'Wise Child', shows that allegations of scams originating in Africa were alive and well long before the World Wide Web came into existence.
The defendant in this case is a mixed-race man, Raoul Lapointe, played by Derek Griffiths (whom I recall seeing as a presenter of 'Play School' in the same decade as this CC story) who is accused of defrauding the relatives of a dead man who had allegedly married Lapointe's mother.
The background seems to have been well researched because mention is made of a small and obscure but real town in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ( or the Belgian Congo / Zaire, as it is referred to in the programme) where the marriage is said to have taken place.
This is the second CC story from 1973 (the other being 'The Mugging of Arthur Simmons') which features defendants who are either black or mixed-race. It's worth noting that all the juries I've seen so far (on the Talking Pictures TV re-run) have been entirely white. This is unfortunate, but is probably a consequence of the fact that the juries were selected from electoral registers in the Granada TV transmission area. Had the series been made by Thames or London Weekend TV, the series may well have had some Asian or black jurors. In other words, demographic factors rather than institutionalised racism, if we want to give the benefit of the doubt.
The defendant in this case is a mixed-race man, Raoul Lapointe, played by Derek Griffiths (whom I recall seeing as a presenter of 'Play School' in the same decade as this CC story) who is accused of defrauding the relatives of a dead man who had allegedly married Lapointe's mother.
The background seems to have been well researched because mention is made of a small and obscure but real town in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ( or the Belgian Congo / Zaire, as it is referred to in the programme) where the marriage is said to have taken place.
This is the second CC story from 1973 (the other being 'The Mugging of Arthur Simmons') which features defendants who are either black or mixed-race. It's worth noting that all the juries I've seen so far (on the Talking Pictures TV re-run) have been entirely white. This is unfortunate, but is probably a consequence of the fact that the juries were selected from electoral registers in the Granada TV transmission area. Had the series been made by Thames or London Weekend TV, the series may well have had some Asian or black jurors. In other words, demographic factors rather than institutionalised racism, if we want to give the benefit of the doubt.
Entertaining and interesting story
7 December 2023
After the absence of black & white stills in the previous story 'Love Thy Neighbour' which led me to think they had stopped altogether, I was relieved to see that they were being used to introduce the characters in 'The Death of Dracula'
This particular story is very entertaining as it is about a Dracula impressionist who is shot dead while carrying out his act in front of an audience. The man's widow has been charged with his murder and the best bit comes in the third episode when a gun expert explains how the two antique guns used are loaded and fired. Does this mean that the defendant is guilty or innocent? I won't tell you but all I can say is that this is a really compelling story.
By the way, it does seem to me that the jury is only allowed to give a guilty or innocent verdict in all episodes of 'Crown Court' as I haven't seen a hung jury yet. The verdicts all appear to be unanimous too, with no majority verdicts allowed. Presumably this is to save time but it shouldn't detract from the fact that 'Crown Court' is the best fictional courtroom drama around.
This particular story is very entertaining as it is about a Dracula impressionist who is shot dead while carrying out his act in front of an audience. The man's widow has been charged with his murder and the best bit comes in the third episode when a gun expert explains how the two antique guns used are loaded and fired. Does this mean that the defendant is guilty or innocent? I won't tell you but all I can say is that this is a really compelling story.
By the way, it does seem to me that the jury is only allowed to give a guilty or innocent verdict in all episodes of 'Crown Court' as I haven't seen a hung jury yet. The verdicts all appear to be unanimous too, with no majority verdicts allowed. Presumably this is to save time but it shouldn't detract from the fact that 'Crown Court' is the best fictional courtroom drama around.
Confusing at first but otherwise very good
24 November 2023
This particular case 'Love Thy Neighbour' which I have just seen for the first time (on the Talking Pictures TV channel) appears to be the first in which the black and white stills at the start of each episode have been dropped. This may have been done in order to save money, but I found these stills very useful because they were always accompanied by a narrator explaining the events. The narrator is still present, but the absence of the stills makes it harder to identify the participants. It was not until the third and final episode that the alleged events all became clear to me.
All the same, I give it eight stars because, as usual, Vernon and Ashford give excellent performances and the direction is faultless.
It is also worth watching because two of the guest actors had major roles in two famous British films made in 1971, Warren Clarke (A Clockwork Orange) and Geraldine Moffat (Get Carter)
All the same, I give it eight stars because, as usual, Vernon and Ashford give excellent performances and the direction is faultless.
It is also worth watching because two of the guest actors had major roles in two famous British films made in 1971, Warren Clarke (A Clockwork Orange) and Geraldine Moffat (Get Carter)
The Professionals
(1977–1983)
Silly but entertaining
30 August 2023
As someone who lives in North London (where some of the episodes were filmed) I enjoy watching this simply for nostalgia reasons alone. But it should not be taken seriously at all. The relationship between Bodie and Doyle is great to watch, but the plots are ridiculous and full of holes (the 'Heroes' episode is a notable example) and anyone offended by sexism shouldn't watch it. The series is also astonishingly violent and bloody for something that is currently being shown outside the British TV viewing watershed hours on ITV4. To give an example, over the past two afternoons this channel has shown the episodes 'Killer with a Long Arm' and 'Heroes' in which many people are shot dead with blood squibs being used.
Superb
23 May 2023
I've been watching 'Crown Court' on the Talking Pictures channel for the past two months or so, and this particular story is possibly the best yet.
I know very little about art, and was wondering if the picture titled 'Bacchus of Benedetto Trovato' was a real one. In fact, I scribbled down the painting's name on a piece of paper in order to Google it.
It isn't, but I was impressed by the way the Crown Court producers had gone to the trouble to paint not one, but two virtually identical copies of the same theme.
There is an incredible twist at the end, which I'm not going to reveal, but it will stun you.
The only reason why I didn't give it ten out of ten was that some of the characters are stereotypes of a type we would never see on TV today. The defendant Alice Starkie is portrayed as a Jew who is only interested in making money, while the art critic Gustav De Montalk is portrayed as a flamboyant homosexual.
I know very little about art, and was wondering if the picture titled 'Bacchus of Benedetto Trovato' was a real one. In fact, I scribbled down the painting's name on a piece of paper in order to Google it.
It isn't, but I was impressed by the way the Crown Court producers had gone to the trouble to paint not one, but two virtually identical copies of the same theme.
There is an incredible twist at the end, which I'm not going to reveal, but it will stun you.
The only reason why I didn't give it ten out of ten was that some of the characters are stereotypes of a type we would never see on TV today. The defendant Alice Starkie is portrayed as a Jew who is only interested in making money, while the art critic Gustav De Montalk is portrayed as a flamboyant homosexual.
Well ahead of its time
23 May 2023
I saw this film the other night on the Talking Pictures TV channel and have no hesitation in recommending it, provided the theme of child abuse doesn't put you off. Like 'Victim' it was well ahead of its time in discussing themes that Hollywood avoided altogether.
One other thing I'd like to mention that none of the other user reviews have done, is the way in which the Canadian legal system is portrayed, in particular the spoken references to the Queen. This would of course not happen today, given the gradual shift away from British influence after the early 1960's. It is doubtful though whether a nine year old girl would have been subjected to such a ruthless cross-examination.
Another interesting aspect is the houses which are clearly not British in style and may have been constructed in the UK purely for the film, given that as far as I know, the whole film was shot in the UK.
One other thing I'd like to mention that none of the other user reviews have done, is the way in which the Canadian legal system is portrayed, in particular the spoken references to the Queen. This would of course not happen today, given the gradual shift away from British influence after the early 1960's. It is doubtful though whether a nine year old girl would have been subjected to such a ruthless cross-examination.
Another interesting aspect is the houses which are clearly not British in style and may have been constructed in the UK purely for the film, given that as far as I know, the whole film was shot in the UK.
Excellent look at the euthanasia debate
2 May 2023
I saw this on TPTV last night and thought it was a very good contribution to the question of whether euthanasia should be legalised. The only reason why I did not give it ten out of ten was that the story leaned too much on the sex lives of the participants.
A couple of other points to note; firstly, one of the jury members looks old enough to have possibly been born in the early 1880's and with this in mind, appearing on TV (let alone colour TV) must have been quite an experience for him. See if you can spot him.
Secondly, the black and white stills from a wedding which supposedly takes place in 1961 appears to show most of the participants with early 1970's hairstyles. This is not quite a goof, as some of the clothes may be accurate, but is still worth looking at, and you can see some of these stills on this episode's IMDB webpage.
I love these black and white stills and am disappointed to have read elsewhere that they were apparently dropped in later seasons of CC.
A couple of other points to note; firstly, one of the jury members looks old enough to have possibly been born in the early 1880's and with this in mind, appearing on TV (let alone colour TV) must have been quite an experience for him. See if you can spot him.
Secondly, the black and white stills from a wedding which supposedly takes place in 1961 appears to show most of the participants with early 1970's hairstyles. This is not quite a goof, as some of the clothes may be accurate, but is still worth looking at, and you can see some of these stills on this episode's IMDB webpage.
I love these black and white stills and am disappointed to have read elsewhere that they were apparently dropped in later seasons of CC.
Now Barabbas
(1949)
Disappointing prison drama
5 April 2023
I saw this film for the first time on Talking Pictures TV channel the other night and was expecting it to be something like 'The Criminal' (1960) but perhaps I was being unrealistic, given that 'Barrabas' was made some eleven years earlier. It is too cosy a depiction of prison life and ends rather abruptly, without bothering to show the execution of the murderer who is the one of the main characters. No riots or escapes. There is also too much focus on the romantic lives of the inmates for modern tastes.
Interestingly though, although having not being released until 1949, the dialogue in one or two scenes suggests that it is set a few years earlier during the war.
Interestingly though, although having not being released until 1949, the dialogue in one or two scenes suggests that it is set a few years earlier during the war.
Compelling viewing
28 March 2023
This was shown last night on Talking Pictures channel and even though I had to stay up until 01.35 am, it was worth it.
The funny thing though was that the female teacher was exposed in court as a predatory paedophile who has taken a young schoolboy (whom she had described as 'very attractive') to her home for an hour or so, yet she did not face any charges over this. The boy, incidentally, was more or less the same age as I was in 1972!
When she later attacked a policeman with a cold chisel, nearly killing him in the process, I was expecting her to be found guilty on one charge but acquitted on the other one. Did the verdicts match what I had guessed? I don't want to spoil it for you in case you've yet to see it, but I can say that you should try and watch it if there is a repeat at some point in the future.
And the school's headmistress (a prosecution witness) is the sexiest piece of crumpet you'll ever see!
Looking forward to watching the rest of the series.
The funny thing though was that the female teacher was exposed in court as a predatory paedophile who has taken a young schoolboy (whom she had described as 'very attractive') to her home for an hour or so, yet she did not face any charges over this. The boy, incidentally, was more or less the same age as I was in 1972!
When she later attacked a policeman with a cold chisel, nearly killing him in the process, I was expecting her to be found guilty on one charge but acquitted on the other one. Did the verdicts match what I had guessed? I don't want to spoil it for you in case you've yet to see it, but I can say that you should try and watch it if there is a repeat at some point in the future.
And the school's headmistress (a prosecution witness) is the sexiest piece of crumpet you'll ever see!
Looking forward to watching the rest of the series.
Excellent episode but poses questions.
11 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this for the second time on TPTV last night and it is undoubtedly one of the best episodes of the first season. However, the character of the fugitive airman (or deserter?) does pose a few questions. He does claim to be a British airman called Finch who wants no further part in the war, but if this were true, he would have simply given himself up to the Germans in order to spend the rest of the war in a POW camp. So this could be a 'plot hole' goof, but alternatively he could have been a German deserter who spoke good English with a convincing fake accent. This would have given Lifeline a good reason for getting the Germans to shoot him at the conclusion of the episode, because killing a Brit would perhaps have been too unpalatable for them. Or he could have been a German posing as a Brit to infiltrate Lifeline. Whatever the reason, definitely an episode worth watching.
The Exterminator
(1980)
Terrible film
4 August 2022
'The Exterminator' was the first ever full-length 'X' certificate film I saw in the cinema (I say full-length, because it was unexpectedly preceded by 'Dreamhouse' an excellent British horror short which isn't listed on IMDB but is available to view elsewhere) when I saw it at the since-demolished Turnpike Lane ABC in February 1981, a few months before my 18th birthday. I knew very little about films then and so did not realise just how bad 'The Exterminator' was until I saw it on DVD the other day.
The only reason why the film gets three stars from me is because of the opening sequence in Vietnam, which is quite realistic to some extent. Once the action moves to NY though, the film just goes downhill and is only worth watching for the prolonged aerial shot of the now-demolished Yankee Stadium during the end credits (if you're a baseball fan, that is)
The film stretches credulity in numerous ways. The toilet kidnapping scene is hard to believe. And how did Eastland manage to set up everything in the meat factory without any of the other employees noticing? And it's too much of a coincidence that he happens to be walking by when an old woman gets mugged.
The only reason why the film gets three stars from me is because of the opening sequence in Vietnam, which is quite realistic to some extent. Once the action moves to NY though, the film just goes downhill and is only worth watching for the prolonged aerial shot of the now-demolished Yankee Stadium during the end credits (if you're a baseball fan, that is)
The film stretches credulity in numerous ways. The toilet kidnapping scene is hard to believe. And how did Eastland manage to set up everything in the meat factory without any of the other employees noticing? And it's too much of a coincidence that he happens to be walking by when an old woman gets mugged.
The Offence
(1973)
Disappointing and overrated
9 March 2022
Most British films from this era are usually quite good, but this one isn't. It is poorly written with repetitive flashbacks and overall it is tedious. And there is very little plot. I was relieved when it finally ended. The acting is OK though and the location scenes of Bracknell in 1972 will be of interest to those from the area.
The Tales of Beatrix Potter
(1971)
Nostalgic and charming
24 December 2021
This was the almost certainly the first film I saw in the cinema, which would have been in the spring or summer of 1971, when I turned 8 in June of that year. The only image that stuck in my mind from that occasion though, was the final shot at the end when Miss Tiggywinkle runs across a meadow and disappears into the distance. The next time I saw the film was on TV in the 1980's although on that occasion I only caught the last five minutes or so, but this confirmed that I had correctly remembered the Miss Tiggywinkle shot at the end.
However, today (24/12/2021) I was able to see the film in its entirety for the first time since 1971, when the British TV channel 'Talking Pictures' screened it. As an adult, my view of the film was very different from when I saw it as a child. It seemed a little overlong to me and the ballet sequences a little repetitive but otherwise it was a very impressive film. I particularly liked the two scenes when mocked-up old newspapers are shown. In the first, the date appears to be 2nd February 1894 (which would correspond to the time that Beatrix Potter was writing the stories) but in the second, only the month (July) is clearly distinguishable.
There are a couple of other points worth mentioning. Firstly, Talking Pictures gave the film a PG rather than a U certificate which was rather surprising. The only explanation I can think for this may be the fact that we see a man (Beatrix's father?) smoking early on in the film. Incidentally, neither this actor or the woman sitting opposite him (presumably Beatrix's mother) are listed in the credits, which is rather odd given that everyone else is.
However, today (24/12/2021) I was able to see the film in its entirety for the first time since 1971, when the British TV channel 'Talking Pictures' screened it. As an adult, my view of the film was very different from when I saw it as a child. It seemed a little overlong to me and the ballet sequences a little repetitive but otherwise it was a very impressive film. I particularly liked the two scenes when mocked-up old newspapers are shown. In the first, the date appears to be 2nd February 1894 (which would correspond to the time that Beatrix Potter was writing the stories) but in the second, only the month (July) is clearly distinguishable.
There are a couple of other points worth mentioning. Firstly, Talking Pictures gave the film a PG rather than a U certificate which was rather surprising. The only explanation I can think for this may be the fact that we see a man (Beatrix's father?) smoking early on in the film. Incidentally, neither this actor or the woman sitting opposite him (presumably Beatrix's mother) are listed in the credits, which is rather odd given that everyone else is.
5 Fingers
(1952)
Entertaining and compelling spy thriller
8 December 2021
I saw this film for the first time last night on the (UK) Talking Pictures channel and I was very impressed. Apart from the fictional character of the Countess (probably written to fulfil Hollywood stipulations of the era that all films must have at least romantic scene in them) there was hardly a flaw. The Turkish locations were great and having been to that country many times myself I recognized Ankara's main railway station as soon as it appeared. The station building is located on the north side, but it is worth noting that a few years ago, a new building was constructed on the south side so the old building could easily be overlooked by tourists in future years.
One query I have concerns the certification of the film. Talking Pictures gave it a '12' which led me to assume that there must be some violence in the film, but there isn't any whatsoever. Looking at the various certificates for different countries, it is even more baffling to note that it had a '16' in Norway and an '18' in Spain. On the other hand, France sensibly has it as 'tous publics' and in the UK, the BBFC, to their credit, gave the film a U certificate which as far as I am concerned is the proper category.
One query I have concerns the certification of the film. Talking Pictures gave it a '12' which led me to assume that there must be some violence in the film, but there isn't any whatsoever. Looking at the various certificates for different countries, it is even more baffling to note that it had a '16' in Norway and an '18' in Spain. On the other hand, France sensibly has it as 'tous publics' and in the UK, the BBFC, to their credit, gave the film a U certificate which as far as I am concerned is the proper category.
First implausible episode
2 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
As of November 2021, the series is being screened on the Talking Pictures TV channel in the UK.
I would also like to point out that this is my first viewing of the series since the late 1970's, when I was too young to remember much about it.
This particular episode, screened on Sunday 1st November 2021, is the first one I have seen that I would not give ten out of ten for, as it is somewhat implausible.
Earlier on in the same episode, we see the boy's mother (who has been widowed) having a relationship with a German soldier. If this had happened she would have been ostracised by her neighbours but we do not see any such reactions. Of course, such liasions did happen in countries occupied by the Nazis but the women involved were usually much younger and tended to live in large towns rather than the small, close-knit village of Emines. This doesn't amount to being a goof, but it does strain credibility a little.
I have to say that I have otherwise been very impressed with series, particularly the realism of the outdoor scenes (Emines is actually a real place in Belgium, and having visited that country many times myself, I can assure you that the locations look very authentic)
I would also like to point out that this is my first viewing of the series since the late 1970's, when I was too young to remember much about it.
This particular episode, screened on Sunday 1st November 2021, is the first one I have seen that I would not give ten out of ten for, as it is somewhat implausible.
Earlier on in the same episode, we see the boy's mother (who has been widowed) having a relationship with a German soldier. If this had happened she would have been ostracised by her neighbours but we do not see any such reactions. Of course, such liasions did happen in countries occupied by the Nazis but the women involved were usually much younger and tended to live in large towns rather than the small, close-knit village of Emines. This doesn't amount to being a goof, but it does strain credibility a little.
I have to say that I have otherwise been very impressed with series, particularly the realism of the outdoor scenes (Emines is actually a real place in Belgium, and having visited that country many times myself, I can assure you that the locations look very authentic)
Deceit
(2021)
Reasonable drama
7 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This isn't a bad drama but it does concentrate rather heavily on the Lizzie James character. The final scene is amusing; it shows her apparently stalking Colin Stagg from her car and crying, implying that she has genuinely fallen in love with him.
The Orchard End Murder
(1981)
Interesting British cinema short
15 July 2021
On Thursday 15th July 1982, I was at the Turnpike Lane ABC cinema (sadly since demolished) in North London to watch 'Dead and Buried' with its supporting short 'The Orchard End Murder' and today, exactly 39 years later (to both the date and day of the week) here I am writing a review of the latter of these two films, using technology that did not exist in 1982.
I can remember next to nothing of 'Dead and Buried' but 'The Orchard End Murder' has stuck in my mind for all these years, perhaps because of its British setting. Having missed the very occasional TV screening (which tended to be in the small hours) I was delighted to find out recently that the BFI have deemed the film worthy of restoration and preservation, no mean feat for a film lasting barely 50 minutes. Consequently, I purchased the DVD from them and viewed it last week for the first time in almost 39 years.
There are many bits I remember from 1982 - the killing of the rabbit (which turned out to be more convincing than I thought I had remembered) the murder itself (although I thought it had taken place on grass rather than a huge pile of apples) and in particular, the last two scenes of the film.
The film starts off well with a lot of good tension up to the appearance of Ewen, who at that point appears to be a good guy with a pet rabbit while the stationmaster appears to be creepy at best and a potential murderer at worst.
The sudden and unexpected killing of the rabbit is perhaps too realistic looking and if the director was trying to make a point in linking violence against animals with violence against humans, he still went perhaps a bit too far in this respect.
The murder itself, and the attempted rape that precedes it, is graphic and shocking, and more notably so for the fact that it involves a strangling rather than the more common shootings or stabbings usually seen in films. We are then later treated to an unusual display of necrophilia by the murderer as he attempts to hold on to the dead body with which he has fallen deeply in love with. It is a touching performance by Clive Mantle, but the film's somewhat misogynistic attitude would not sit well today. In fact, the film would probably not even get made in today's 'woke' society.
The film ends a little abruptly, but all the same it is a beautifully photographed film though that evokes a nostalgia for an England of steam trains and village cricket matches, which makes it worth watching.
I can remember next to nothing of 'Dead and Buried' but 'The Orchard End Murder' has stuck in my mind for all these years, perhaps because of its British setting. Having missed the very occasional TV screening (which tended to be in the small hours) I was delighted to find out recently that the BFI have deemed the film worthy of restoration and preservation, no mean feat for a film lasting barely 50 minutes. Consequently, I purchased the DVD from them and viewed it last week for the first time in almost 39 years.
There are many bits I remember from 1982 - the killing of the rabbit (which turned out to be more convincing than I thought I had remembered) the murder itself (although I thought it had taken place on grass rather than a huge pile of apples) and in particular, the last two scenes of the film.
The film starts off well with a lot of good tension up to the appearance of Ewen, who at that point appears to be a good guy with a pet rabbit while the stationmaster appears to be creepy at best and a potential murderer at worst.
The sudden and unexpected killing of the rabbit is perhaps too realistic looking and if the director was trying to make a point in linking violence against animals with violence against humans, he still went perhaps a bit too far in this respect.
The murder itself, and the attempted rape that precedes it, is graphic and shocking, and more notably so for the fact that it involves a strangling rather than the more common shootings or stabbings usually seen in films. We are then later treated to an unusual display of necrophilia by the murderer as he attempts to hold on to the dead body with which he has fallen deeply in love with. It is a touching performance by Clive Mantle, but the film's somewhat misogynistic attitude would not sit well today. In fact, the film would probably not even get made in today's 'woke' society.
The film ends a little abruptly, but all the same it is a beautifully photographed film though that evokes a nostalgia for an England of steam trains and village cricket matches, which makes it worth watching.
Missiles from Hell
(1958)
Interesting but badly acted film
16 June 2021
I saw this film on British TV for the first time and didn't even notice Christopher Lee. The other Germans are however, laughable. They are all caricatures and we even see a sadistic blonde female camp commandant who may have been modelled on Irma Grese. The best scenes in the film are those showing the technical side of things, particularly the one in which the explosive in the rocket is defused, which is quite good for the tension.
The Girl with a Pistol
(1968)
Unusual film
18 June 2020
To answer dalesmobile's question, I have just seen the film on Talking Pictures TV tonight, and it may well be repeated on the same channel in the near future.
I enjoyed watching it, if only because of the amount of location shooting in the UK. I would like to know where the rugby match was filmed though.
I enjoyed watching it, if only because of the amount of location shooting in the UK. I would like to know where the rugby match was filmed though.
Rita, Sue and Bob Too
(1987)
One of the finest British films ever made?
19 March 2014
I will always remember the first time I found out about this film. It was when I went to the cinema in the autumn of 1987 to watch 'The Untouchables' and saw the words "15 trailer advertising 18 film" flash up on the screen. This trailer, of course, turned out to be for 'Rita, Sue and Bob too'. When the trailer reached the point where some of Rita's many brothers ride their motorbikes around the arguing families, I was speechless. There is an extraordinary, almost hypnotic sensation as you see the motorbikes circle the families in an intimidating manner. I'm surprised no-one has mentioned this scene because it is so memorable and was quite rightly chosen to represent the film in 'The Arbor' when that film was made.
There are so many other scenes in the film which take realism to new levels, some where they seem to create a new form of cinema. Take for example the scene in which you see two dogs playfully fighting with each other. Not long after this, you see a TV showing a documentary about dog ownership which seems to have been made specially for the film and which add a new dimension in realism. There are lots of little details like that that celebrate the banality of everyday life. It is almost like a documentary, but at the same time it is unique in many ways. For example, there are no white teenage boys in the film, other than Rita's brothers.
The criticism of the film's sex is, in my view, a bit harsh. The only explicit sex in the film occurs early on in the car when Bob has sex with the girls and it was was probably only there to ensure an 18 certificate. The film never becomes tasteless or offensive in the way that many other modern films about similar subjects are, as there is a warmth and affection throughout it. This, paradoxically, is probably because we do hardly see anyone actually kissing each other or becoming too emotionally involved and so we can view the film from a comfortable, neutral viewpoint. As someone else has pointed out, it is never judgmental. It is in some ways, like a Carry On film for a more adult audience. Even the title is deliberately ironic, designed to make people think that it is a soft-porn comedy along the lines of the 'Confessions' films of the mid-1970's. It is a bit of those, and a bit of everything else, but above all it is a savagely ultra-black comedy and a sociological satire.
There are so many other scenes in the film which take realism to new levels, some where they seem to create a new form of cinema. Take for example the scene in which you see two dogs playfully fighting with each other. Not long after this, you see a TV showing a documentary about dog ownership which seems to have been made specially for the film and which add a new dimension in realism. There are lots of little details like that that celebrate the banality of everyday life. It is almost like a documentary, but at the same time it is unique in many ways. For example, there are no white teenage boys in the film, other than Rita's brothers.
The criticism of the film's sex is, in my view, a bit harsh. The only explicit sex in the film occurs early on in the car when Bob has sex with the girls and it was was probably only there to ensure an 18 certificate. The film never becomes tasteless or offensive in the way that many other modern films about similar subjects are, as there is a warmth and affection throughout it. This, paradoxically, is probably because we do hardly see anyone actually kissing each other or becoming too emotionally involved and so we can view the film from a comfortable, neutral viewpoint. As someone else has pointed out, it is never judgmental. It is in some ways, like a Carry On film for a more adult audience. Even the title is deliberately ironic, designed to make people think that it is a soft-porn comedy along the lines of the 'Confessions' films of the mid-1970's. It is a bit of those, and a bit of everything else, but above all it is a savagely ultra-black comedy and a sociological satire.
Death Race 2000
(1975)
Terrific viewing
26 October 2005
Death Race 2000 is a film which I have seen only twice, both at the cinema (June 1981 and December 1991) but I remember it as being very original in many ways, it stands out clearly from all these bland films you get nowadays. The black humour, although in very poor taste (it is very unlikely that a film about people being run over would get made today) is done very intelligently and the whole film has a completely individualistic feel to it, right down to the credits at the end. The low budget (witness the cardboard backdrop of a futuristic New York at the beginning) actually makes the film more endearing. A must-see.
One question I have - the BBFC website states that it had to be cut in order to get an 'X' certificate in 1975. I presume that this includes my cinema viewings in 1981 and 1991, does anyone know precisely what scenes were cut? Also, does anyone know whether the cuts were restored for the '18' certificate video versions?
One question I have - the BBFC website states that it had to be cut in order to get an 'X' certificate in 1975. I presume that this includes my cinema viewings in 1981 and 1991, does anyone know precisely what scenes were cut? Also, does anyone know whether the cuts were restored for the '18' certificate video versions?
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