One Summer

One Summer was one of the best TV drama's I had the pleasure of watching. As a Young 1980's teenager lad myself, I felt empathy for the characters. Going to school, summer camp, peer problems, teenage angst. I had it, they had it. Their problems were mine. (albeit without their violent moments and the illiteracy). I saw the series twice in full. Once in 1983 when it first aired, then again the following year. Alas, I never saw it again, and since reaching adulthood, I have been trying to find it. Partly I think to relive my youth, but also to recapture the emotional feelings it left me with. The humour, sadness and the graphic images live with me to this day. Tattooed into my memory bank, never to be erased. Dramas of this calibre do not come along too often. Some come and go without a second thought. Not this one. This was wonderful in its writing and acting. Why it has never been shown again (to my knowledge), remains a mystery. This would be a repeat I'd watch again and again.

I watched this series when it was first broadcast back in the 80s. I was a similar age to the main protagonists at the time so the themes struck a real chord with me. Although I am not from the Merseyside area I felt an affinity with the boy's characters with their desire to escape normality to seek adventure and excitement, I also recognised their angst with British society. I still reminisce about this series 40 odd years later and have very fond memories of the outstanding performances by the young actors. This series in my opinion was the early landmark series for British television in the 80s.

I totally agree with the other user comments about One Summer. It made a huge impact to all my peers growing up as we did - in Liverpool - hours of discussion followed the next day at school.

What was even more unusual at the time, was a drama on TV that had young scousers in it!(TV was a very different place in the early 80's you see - dominated by 'proper' accents and everything).

I found it very powerful - and you just knew that David Morrisey was going to go far. A memorable performance by both the main leads, and I was interested to find out that Ian Hart was in it too! Brilliant stuff by Willy Russell.

If only UK TV produced this quality now instead of reality TV rubbish...

Just wish I could see it again...

I received my copy of this DVD direct from Network DVD and what a superb package. The commentaries from David, Spencer and Ian were very informative and nostalgic in their content. What made this extra special was that I missed the final episode when it was first shown so I've waited 20+ years to see it and it was well worth the wait. The locations, the way that it was filmed and the atmospheric lighting was excellent. It really highlighted the tragic lives of these youngsters growing up in such a deprived environment. I am sure that there would have been scope for a follow up to see if Billy made anything of his life and whether he returned to Wales. If only there were more dramas of this quality on television today.

Very interesting to look back at 1983. I was 21 at that time but I never watched this Our Summer. I only have watched one episode but I can see this series was made in a very modern way. It is filmed in action, raw, and shaky. The story is set in a working class environment. The two protagonist are emotionally neglected by their parents and grow up in bitter poverty. They desperately seek a way out, but sadly they regard education as useless. As young as they are, they carry deep psychological scars which makes them nihilistic, like the young generations did in those days. England is 'famous' for its motion pictures about the working class. Our Summer belongs to the same genre as for instance Ken Loach's socially critical directing style and socialist ideals movies. I can totally relate to the men who experienced England in those days as a young man and wrote their revies here.

I look very much towards the story progress. The two boys are going to meet a gay older person. What will be his influence? I might write about it later.