Sunset Across the Bay

Written by Alan Bennett and directed by Stephen Frears. Bennett recalled how as a child he spent his holidays in Morecambe where it always seem to be raining.

People from Leeds seemed to go to Morecambe for their annual holidays according to Bennett.

Here an elderly married couple retire to Morecambe from Leeds. Their house is getting knocked down, their neighbours have already been dispersed.

The man has retired from work and seems to have difficulty adjusting to retirement and with nothing to do. He finds accompanying his wife to do shopping as a bit of a chore.

He also wants to watch his pennies now that he is a pensioner. Although their son (Bob Peck) in Australia helps out financially.

The woman does her best to make friends but it is clear that both are finding it to settle in a new patch.

Bennett got a lot of inspiration form his own parents for this Play for Today. It was an age where towns were going through redevelopment.

It was also a time when your post retirement years could be short. You have to make your time count.

This is a bittersweet drama. A tragi comedy and a character piece. It has some acute observations from Bennerr,

You sense that it might not end well, the man is already bored and getting listless. His wife is making the best of the situation.

Maybe both should had taken their son's offer to relocate to Australia.

It has an early appearance from Bob Peck, better known to a worldwide audience as the ranger in Jurassic Park.

I agree with the previous writer who said what a beautiful story this is. It is poignantly sad, with a nostalgic feel about the whole thing, not least in the setting - a decaying British seaside resort in the mid '70s. But what I cannot agree with is that the couple are still "very happy" with each other. On the contrary, I think one of the saddest things about the play is that they are clearly incredibly, almost intolerably BORED with each other. Yes, they have got used to being together, but that is part of the trouble. The lady has managed to convince herself that all is fine, because she has to believe it or what would have been the point of her life? - but the man's irritation is constantly bubbling under the surface of his old-fashioned decency and courtesy. In my opinion, Bennett has hit on one of the sad truths of human life: that a large number of people who stay married for decades do it just because there is literally nothing else to do.

A marvellous play for all kinds of reasons. But try not to take it merely at face value - there are numerous side issues such as the one I mentioned above. I just wish this kind of play was written nowadays, but sadly, good playwriting seems a lost art. The BBC's "Play For Today" was superb - now we have to endure Trinny and Susannah telling us what clothes to wear.

I approached this film with an interest in Morecambe's past. It shows some interesting shots of the sea front. The clock tower still stands but the pier is long gone. It was an interesting look at Morecambe in the mid 70s. The inside of the Midland hotel was instantly recognisable. A better film showing Morecambe back in the day is the Entertainer. Quite a place it was back then. A thriving tourist destination - a far cry from what it used to be now.

However, don't feel sorry for the place, today it is a great place. A faded grandeur about the place that I think is great and not bleak.

The film is poignant. A look at past times and mannerisms. The world was a gentler place and not as all knowing as now. The film is an everyday tale of getting old. It is subtle and very watchable. I found the saddest part when the couple drove away from the house they had lived in for decades. So many memories - houses are more than bricks and mortar. They contain a part of you and are hard to let go. I recommend watching this time capsule of a film. How the world has changed.

Beautiful story of a couple who, upon the husband's retiring, move to Morecambe from Leeds. The story is simple enough, but the magic is in the dialog between the two main characters.

They obviously are still very happy with each other, but express regret and confusion at the way their world has changed. Leeds seems to be (literally) falling down around them as they leave town for their new home by the beach.

Their lives have changed so little since the husband started work in the 40s, that when it comes time to make this big change they find the whole world has changed around them.

It's quietly devastating.

How can I get a DVD or video of the play for today named " Sunset across the Bay " Allan Bennet Play 1975 I am studying Allan Bennett at the moment and wish to view this play in either DVD or video format...I am based in Nottingham and would appreciate any help please Douglas MacDonald. I would appreciate an email reply as soon as possible and look forward to your reply. Thank you for your help and will be able to return the video or DVD as soon as possible...it is just for a class viewing during our particular session..it is being used as part of a class discussion for an adult education class for the Workers Educational Class in the Bramcote branch in the city of Nottingham.