The Holy City

Like the previous reviewer, I too clearly remember the 1986 BBC television broadcast of Bill Bryden's The Holy City, I think around Good Friday. I too was enthralled by this modern version of the Passion, with its message - the only bit that can be seen again on the BBC I-player clip - of The Man riding through Glasgow proclaiming "what's the most important thing? gold, no! silver, no! you are! you are the people!" Great stuff, would love to see it all again some time. I don't think there has been anything else like this in recent years, even in religious broadcasting, which, now that it seems to be in decline, has become ever more traditional in its outlook.

It was a long time ago (1986, evidently) but I remember seeing this and being totally enthralled. Hayman as Christ in contemporary Glasgow, is brilliant, Fulton, as a bar-room philosopher, a gem, and the atmospheric filming a triumph. The contemporary setting and mix of politics and religion may be perceived by some as irreverent or even blasphemous and offence may be given by the portrayal of the occupying Roman forces of the New Testament being portrayed by 1980s English establishment, grey suited, faceless (and ruthless) figures. While Thatcherism found little support in Scotland at the time, if the film-makers were seeking commercial success, it was perhaps brave but foolhardy to portray Christ and his followers as Glaswegian socialists living in what was quietly becoming a police state. That said, I'd love to give this a second look.