Boys from the Blackstuff

The opening 2 hour 'Play for Today' TV film that lead to the 5 part mini-series isn't all that strong. But the 5 remaining parts (ranging from 43 to 68 minutes) are often powerful stuff indeed. A rueful, depressing and cutting look at unemployment and personal and economic depression in the Thatcher years. The opening film isn't really needed, as one could pick up much of what happened from the 5 part mini-series, but it does serve as a good basic set up for the characters and their relationships, as a group of workers on the dole take an off-the- books job laying down tarmac (the black stuff) at a new apartment complex. But in the original film the characters stay frustratingly close to caricatures, and the story twists are largely unsurprising.

But in the 5 part mini-series, made 2 years later, that all changes. Each hour investigates one of the character's lives in great depth and detail, The performances are very strong, and the stories are almost all heartbreaking as we see what being unemployed and unwanted by society does to these men; their families, their self-esteem, even their sanity. There are occasional darkly funny moments, but this is grim, uncompromising stuff, with one episode in particular "Yosser's story" as harrowing and disturbing and honest a piece of film- making as I've seen in a long while. It's interesting (if depressing) to see how much of what was going on in England in 1982, could just as well be America in 2013.

This series is being reshown on T.V. at the moment and it reminds one on how drama should be made. True the subject matter about poverty and unemployment in 80's Britain was a strong one for the writer,producer,director& actors to rise to. But they do it with the peak of professionalism,realism & creativity, seldom seen in more recent T.V. ( or Film for that matter ) output.

All the episodes which make up the series really move the watcher even today and it sends echoes out to everyone living in 90's Britain towards the turn of the century where some similar themes as explored in this piece are still more than ever relevant today.

Alan Bleasdale's defining production. Almost unbearably tragic characters, yet Bleasdale manages to find the opportunity for rare wit in his dialogue. As good a T.V. series as there has ever been. Truly the work of a genius.

If you are interested in what it was like to live in Thatcher's Britain in the eighties then look no futher. You need a strong stomach - especially for Yosser's Story. Memories of Cathy Come Home from the sixties spring to mind. It's good, it's real and it hurts to watch it - that's WHY it should be seen. Thanks Alan Bleasdale- for seeing and telling it like it is.

As mini series go they do not come much better than this. A brilliant portrayal of what life was like for those unfortunate people who found themselves without work at the beginning of the 1980's. A depressing testament to the power wielded by political leaders and the total indifference shown by those in work to those without it. All young and sceptical people bored by the stories told them by parents who were affected by events portrayed in this series should take a look see. Then they will realise that the stories they have heard are in fact true. A lesson for all which, when once seen, must never be forgotten. Comedy, pathos, bathos you name it, it has it all. Wonderfully acted. Not a poor performance anywhere to be seen. Has great educational value.