The Gambling Man

I have watched this video several times now and I cannot fault it in anyway. The performances are excellent, the settings are wonderfully authentic and the story line is strong and the direction taut.The wonderful thing about the Tyne Tees productions of the Cookson books is the outstanding authenticity and atmosphere they get in their settings. This one absolutely reeked with atmosphere - misty dimly lit alleyways, dramatic lighting on faces in the darkness, all suggesting the sordid and seamy side of the back streets of the Tyneside underworld of that period. The marvellous street scenes with their pathetic flotsam and jetsam of poverty. It's all there. Robson Green gives a strong and compelling performance as Rory, showing all the complex sides of this character. His make-up after the beatings and burning is wonderfully realistic, some of the best I have ever seen. Sylvestra le Touzel is superb as Charlotte, totally believable and sincere and Stephanie Putson's Janie is equally strong. You feel genuine sympathy for her unhappy situation. And I particularly liked Ann Kent's Lizzie. All the performances are excellent, with particularly villainous villains. Bernard Hill can do more with one piercing look than a million words. The final fire sequence is terrific. How it was filmed I can't imagine, it has you cringing in your seat. Lovers of Cookson and anyone who enjoys really good drama don't miss this terrific presentation.