Scum |
1977 Director Alan Clarke Production company BBC Producer Margaret Matheson Script Roy Minton Cinematography John Wyatt Cast: Raymond Winstone (Carlin); David Threlfall (Archer); Martin Phillips (Davis); Davidson Knight (Angel); John Blundell (Banks); Phil Daniels (Richards) |
|
Scum was originally made for the BBC's Play for Today series in 1977. Deemed too controversial by BBC management, it was effectively banned from broadcast until 1991, a year after director Alan Clarke's death, when it was finally screened on Channel Four as part of a season on the theme of censorship. The film focuses on two borstal 'trainees' - a euphemistic term for inmates - with differing approaches to beating the system. Carlin, who has a reputation for violence from a previous borstal, fights his way to the top of the boys' pecking order, earning him the title of 'Daddy'. The non-violent Archer makes it his mission to be as awkward as possible while serving his sentence in an attempt to prevent the system from "having" him. The oppressive borstal officers encourage the Daddy system as a way of maintaining order among the trainees, whereas Archer's defiance merely fuels their resentment. The brutality that shocked the BBC and prevented Scum from being broadcast is precisely what makes it such an important work. In what was to become Clarke's trademark approach to tackling contentious social issues, he and writer Roy Minton decided the best way to critique the violence inherent in the borstal system was simply to show it. While few would doubt that the bullying, rioting and rape depicted in the play does take place within such institutions, the oft repeated criticism of Scum is that it depicts these events happening within a relatively short space of time, leaving the play open to accusations of melodrama. |
Fox | 1980
Euston Films/Thames Television for ITV, 10/3-2/6/1980 13 x 60 minutes, colour Director Jim Goddard Executive Producer Verity Lambert Producer Graham Benson Photography Ernest Vincze Cast: Peter Vaughan (Billy Fox); Elizabeth Spriggs (Connie Fox); Bernard Hill (Vin Fox); Derrick O'connor (Ray Fox); Larry Lamb (Joey Fox); Ray Winstone (Kenny Fox); Eamon Boland (Phil Fox); Rosemary Martin (Renie Fox); Richard Weinbaum (Andy Fox) |
|
With thirteen episodes totalling eleven hours, Fox is a sprawling epic of family life, with a host of major characters and a large supporting cast of memorable figures. Preston had previously worked with director Jim Goddard on Out (ITV, 1978) but unlike that tightly focussed revenge drama, Fox is expansive, and Preston weaves numerous plotlines to create a depth that is seldom seen in dramas of shorter length. Indeed, Goddard approached the series as if it were an 11-hour film, which was necessary for logistical reasons, but even so it took over a year to plan, shoot and complete the series. Although Fox is multi-faceted, it is essentially the story of the Fox family, dominated by their patriarch Billy Fox, a retired Covent Garden market porter who is regarded with awe by the residents of Clapham where most of the action takes place. He has four sons by two marriages, and although he is a family man, the sons struggle to form their own identity under his shadow. There is a particular tension between Billy and his intellectual son, Phil, a left-wing firebrand, which is exacerbated when Phil refuses to attend his youngest brother's vital boxing match, the ramifications of which rumble on throughout the series. When Billy dies, the family tries to hold itself together, but individual trials and tribulations create division, and Phil departs to the US in order to work through his feelings. The resolution of the series is ambiguous, and although Phil returns, there is no real sense that the family will ever be the same again. Fox is quite a rarity on television, as it is unusual for a serial of the time and of such length to have one author and one director. |
Love Story: Mr. Right |
1983
4 x 30 min episodes Directed by Peter Smith Writing credits Peter Prince Cast: Carolyn Pickles (Esther) David Hayman (Raymond) Liz Smith (Gran) Ray Winstone (Terry) Gwyneth Strong (Gloria) Joan Scott (Ms Burroughs) Sally Watkins (Jacqueline) |
Released 4th January 1983 NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE |
Robin Hood and the Sorcerer Robin of Sherwood |
Director: Ian Sharp, James Allen, Ben Bolt Writing credits: Richard Carpenter, John Flanagan Cast: Michael Praed, Nickolas Grace, Geoffrey Greenhill, Thomas Henty, Mark Ryan, Judi Trott, Ray Winstone, Peter Llewellyn Williams, Robert Addie, Phil Rose, Philip Jackson, Mark Audley, John Abineri, Wayne Michaels, Jason Connery |
|
Robin Hood and the Sorcerer(1983) The first episode in the television series, mixes fantasy with folk legend. The God of the Forests of England appears before Robin and informs him of his legendary responsibilities.
(Part 1) Robin captured by Guy of Gisburne and imprisoned in Nottingham Castle meets the men who are to follow him into Sherwood. (Part 2) After his escape Robin sets about rescuing the Lady Marion from the clutches of the evil sorcerer the Baron De Belleme. Robin of Sherwood (1984) Robin of Loxley is chosen by the mystical Herne the Hunter to become his 'son' and champion the oppressed. Gathering a band of comrades around him he fights a guerilla campaign against their Norman dictators, particularly the Sheriff of Nottingham and his deputy, Guy de Gisburne. Later he is succeeded by Robert of Huntingdon, renegade nobleman. This retelling of the legend introduces a strong fantasy element, with black magic and the old religion. |
Number One |
1985
Director: Les Blair Writor: G.F. Newman Cast: Bob Geldof; Alfred Molina; Ray Winstone; Phil Daniels; Ian Dury ; Mel Smith ; Alison Steadman ; P.H. Moriarty; Alun Armstrong; Tony Scott; James Marcus ; David Howey ; David Squire; Ron Cook; Kate Hardie Release date: 16/01/2006 |
This gritty British movie follows the fortunes of a snooker hall hustler (Geldof) in his quest for the Big
Time and featuring a star-studded cast.
Conventional, formulaic tale about a nonchalant snooker (pool, British style) hustler who is conned into competing in a national championship, good ensemble acting carries the story beyond its predictable evolution. Bob Geldof is Harry (Flash) Gordon, the snooker player who hustles games in low-end London halls, picking up a little cash here and there and also getting into occasional trouble. Nevertheless, he is more or less content with his life and his girlfriend (a prostitute who loves him) until promoter Billy Evans (Mel Smith) comes along and convinces him to leave the penny-ante and troubles behind and compete in a national championship for real money. Big stakes create bigger headaches, and by the time the final game is set to be played, Gordon is faced with a decision to either save his skin and give in to pressure to throw the game, or stick to his scruples and play the best he can. |
Father Matthew's Daughter | 1987 Cast: James Bolam (Father Matthew) Gabrielle Lloyd (Sharon) Ray Winstone (Father Charlie) Samantha Hurst (Holly) Written by: Terence Brady, Charlotte Bingham Directed by: David Askey Produced by: David Askey 1 series, 6 x 30 min episodes |
Father Matthew (James Bolam) suddenly finds himself the guardian of eight-year-old Holly (Samantha Hurst). He arranges for the girl to stay with the sister of his curate, Father Charlie (Ray Winstone). The girl is initially a troubled, unhappy child, but Father Matthew is determined to change her into a normal, happy girl again. |
Blore M.P. |
1989
Writer: Robin Chapman Director: Robert Young Cast:Maggie O'Neill (Bernadette Woolley) Timothy West (Derek Blore) Alexei Jawdokimov (Juri Kutuzov) (Sergei Rousakov (Russian Official) Ray Winstone (Stan Castigano) |
Comedy drama. After visiting a prostitute a prominent MP finds himself being blackmailed. |
Absolute Hell |
1991 Directed by Anthony Page Written by Rodney Ackland Cast: Judi Dench (Christine Foskett) Francesca Annis (Elizabeth Collier) Sylvia Barter (Julia Shillitoe) Ray Winstone (P. C. Molson) |
Black Comedy set in a Soho drinking club in a bomb-devestated London in the weeks leading up to the 1945 general election. |
Get Back |
1992 Created by Maurice Gran Laurence Marks Cast: Ray Winstone (Martin Sweet) Carol Harrison (Loretta Sweet) Larry Lamb (Albert Sweet) Jane Booker (Prudence Sweet) John Bardon (Bernie Sweet) Kate Winslet (Eleanor Sweet) Michelle Cattini (Joanna Sweet) 15 x 30 min episodes |
|
Get back was a BBC ½ hour sitcom that was a comedy based around a family having to come to terms with financial ruin due to high bank interest rates, a real estate crash and finally bankruptcy due to the bust of the late 1980's early 90's. |
Black and Blue |
1992
Directed by David Hayman Written by G.F. Newman Cast: Sidney Cole (Del Lindo) Iain Glen (Cmdr. Powell) Ray Winstone (Charlie Brett-Smith) |
Black and Blue is about a young black officer from outside of london sent on an undercover assignment in one of londons black populated houseing estates to investigate the murder of a councillor investigating racial prejudice in the police force, in doing his job, he discovers that the local precinct is overwelmingly deep in corruption, and he is stranded between the racist wilderness that separates the corrupt white dominated police force, and the black community. |
Underbelly |
1992
Directed by Nicholas Renton Written by Frank Kippax (novel) Peter Ransley Cast: Charon Bourke (Karen Preston) Neil Conrich (Security Man) Ray Winstone (Alex Collins) 4 x 60 min episodes |
Winner of: 1993 BAFTA TV Award Best Sound (Fiction) -
Derek Norman,
Jonathan Rowdon,
Michael Narduzzo NO OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE |
The Negotiator |
1994
Directed by Mary McMurray Written by Trevor Preston Cast: Brian Cox (Charlie King) Maurice Roėves (Eddie Gemonill) Robin Ellis (Stuart Shaw) Russell Hunter (Sam McBride) Ray Winstone (Jack Swan) |
A serious heart condition puts an end to Charlie King's job as a "street copper", but he refuses the offer of a desk job and a promotion. When a secret team of negotiators approaches him with the offer of a job, he's intrigued, but who is he dealing with? |
Ghostbusters of East Finchley |
1995 Directed by Jim Gillespie. Writing credits Tony Grounds Cast: Paul Reynolds (Kevin), Bill Paterson (Joe Small), Jan Francis (Grace), Jane Cox (Brenda), Catherine Holman (Jackie), Ray Winstone (Thane), Carol MacReady (Elizabeth), Joe Melia (Stan), Sheila Reid (Hilda), Christopher Fulford (Frankie). |
A young tax investigator indulges his fantasies of big time crime busting, tracking small time tax evaders through the back streets of London. 'Ghostbusting' for the tax office brings him and his almost-girlfriend closer to their dreams. |
Macbeth On the Estate |
1997
Director: Penny Woolcock Cast: Ray Winstone (Duncan) David Harewood (Macduff) Andrew Tiernan (Banquo) |
|
A modern version of Macbeth set on a Birmingham housing estate.
In a unique performance, Shakespeare's tragedy is updated to the present day by documentarymaker Penny Woolcock and set on an inner-city estate. The play, filmed on Birmingham's Ladywood Estate, features 130 local people alongside some of Britain's most promising young actors. Macbeth is brought to contemporary urban Britain, in a community dominated by drug culture and gang warfare, where order is imposed by violence - baseball bats and bars. The play was a logical progression for the director, who in 1995, collaborated with theatre director Michael Bogdanov in the award-winning documentary Shakespeare on Estate. For that documentary Woolcock filmed Bogdanov as he cajoled residents of the Ladywood estate, who knew little about Shakespeare and cared even less, to act roles from a selection of his play. The idea was a huge success and this full length performance has proved a remarkable progression of the work. |
Our Boy |
86 minutes
1997 Starring: Neil Dudgeon, Perry Fenwick, Philip Jackson, Pauline Quirke, Ray Winstone Directed by: David Evans Cert 18 |
This drama explores how a working-class couple manages to carry on after the accidental death of their only son. On the same night police find stolen goods in the east London house of construction worker Woody (Ray Winstone) and Sonia (Pauline Quirke), the two are concerned when their eight-year-old son Lee doesn't come home from school. At the police station, Woody learns Lee died after being struck by a hit-and-run driver. Woody and Sonia are at a loss to deal with this emotionally draining event that alters their lives. |