Boys From The Black Stuff
1989
All five of Alan Bleasdale's acclaimed series of plays. Read more
| Starring | Michael Angelis, Bernard Hill, Tom Georgeson, Julie Walters |
|---|---|
| Director | Philip Saville |
| Genres | Television |
loading...
-
Most helpful members' reviews (3)
View all -
22 out of 23 people found this review helpful
Stunning and still fresh
This series gripped a nation - rather like Cathy Come Home had about a decade earlier. The characters are vivid, and the storyline ticks over with the reliable chunter of a trusty blue transit. You are quickly immersed in the hand to mouth life of a scouser tarmac gang, working in the 80s. Its hard hitting - throwing a good many rocks at the 'hard' Social Security people - and gives hugely sympathetic accounts of the main characters.
Right now, many London building sites are crammed full of illegal workers from Eastern Europe probably experiencing the same grim, vulnerable toil that Bleasdale depicted in this amazing series. -
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful
I'm not the one to break the 5 star consensus.
It is superb but since everyone else is saying that I'll highlight a couple of down points.
The second disc suffers slightly from containing two of the more similar stories, those of Chrissie and Dixie which both dwell on the domestic tension their lack of proper employment causes. This results in two hours of oppressive arguing without the welcome light and shade of the stories on disc 3, which would be fine viewed as a weekly series but can be rather grinding if viewed over two days (let alone one directly after the other).
For completists, note that a story called The Muscle Market centring on the site boss and his illegal hiring practices is - according to reviews elsewhere - the only episode missing from the set, but a silly ommission nonetheless.
However, this series is absolutely essential viewing for anyone that cares a jot about drama and for anybody that doesn't this may well give you the passion for it.
There were scenes in this that I hadn't seen in two decades but still partially remembered. Quite some feat.
The other night I was wondering why I was still bothering to watch the execrable US drama 'Lost' and now I'm definitely giving it up. With other gems in the BBC archives available to rent why would I waste valuable time? -
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Bonus Disc?
Whlst the title puts this as the bonus disc, it is not. However it is a bonus to see the best episodes of the series. Who can forget the immortal 'Gis a job' and Yosser's heart rendering breakdown. The last episode on the disc features the classic pub scene with 'Shake hands', and one of Ricky 'My arse' Tomlinson's first appearances on TV.
Don't get me wrong while the disc has some classic 'comedic' moments, it is a true testament to the early 80's and the dole culture, I know I was there. -
Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
TOP CLASS TV DRAMA - 20 yr old but still excellent
Can't say much more that RENT THIS to see how TV drama of the 80's was done - some excellent acting here - get it!!
-
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Yosser`s in fine form
Just watched the boys from the blackstuff.
All the stories on the dvd`s are very good.
But Yosser steals the show.
Would recommend the dvd`s to anybody.
You don`t see shows like this on the tv to-day.
-
22 out of 23 people found this review helpful
Stunning and still fresh
This series gripped a nation - rather like Cathy Come Home had about a decade earlier. The characters are vivid, and the storyline ticks over with the reliable chunter of a trusty blue transit. You are quickly immersed in the hand to mouth life of a scouser tarmac gang, working in the 80s. Its hard hitting - throwing a good many rocks at the 'hard' Social Security people - and gives hugely sympathetic accounts of the main characters.
Right now, many London building sites are crammed full of illegal workers from Eastern Europe probably experiencing the same grim, vulnerable toil that Bleasdale depicted in this amazing series. -
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful
I'm not the one to break the 5 star consensus.
It is superb but since everyone else is saying that I'll highlight a couple of down points.
The second disc suffers slightly from containing two of the more similar stories, those of Chrissie and Dixie which both dwell on the domestic tension their lack of proper employment causes. This results in two hours of oppressive arguing without the welcome light and shade of the stories on disc 3, which would be fine viewed as a weekly series but can be rather grinding if viewed over two days (let alone one directly after the other).
For completists, note that a story called The Muscle Market centring on the site boss and his illegal hiring practices is - according to reviews elsewhere - the only episode missing from the set, but a silly ommission nonetheless.
However, this series is absolutely essential viewing for anyone that cares a jot about drama and for anybody that doesn't this may well give you the passion for it.
There were scenes in this that I hadn't seen in two decades but still partially remembered. Quite some feat.
The other night I was wondering why I was still bothering to watch the execrable US drama 'Lost' and now I'm definitely giving it up. With other gems in the BBC archives available to rent why would I waste valuable time? -
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Bonus Disc?
Whlst the title puts this as the bonus disc, it is not. However it is a bonus to see the best episodes of the series. Who can forget the immortal 'Gis a job' and Yosser's heart rendering breakdown. The last episode on the disc features the classic pub scene with 'Shake hands', and one of Ricky 'My arse' Tomlinson's first appearances on TV.
Don't get me wrong while the disc has some classic 'comedic' moments, it is a true testament to the early 80's and the dole culture, I know I was there. -
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
classic tv
missed this when i was growing up but my father always went on about how good it was. he was right, classic tv at its best fantastic audio commentary as well and a true reflection of thatcher's britain. just cant wait for disc 2 & 3 to arrive.
-
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
disc 1
the first disc is of the original drama 'The Blackstuff' (wrongly described as a pilot- the series came years later) shot on film rather than the later series which was shot on videotape.it has an interesting commentary by bleasdale and director jim goddard.
-
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Classic worth a second viewing
If you only vaguely remember the original TV series, then give this a new viewing as it still holds its own.
-
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
TOP CLASS TV DRAMA - 20 yr old but still excellent
Can't say much more that RENT THIS to see how TV drama of the 80's was done - some excellent acting here - get it!!
-
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
class
Was merely a youngster when this first aired on TV. It was even better than i remembered it. The commentry option is great. Lots of interesting and funny stories on the making of the programme. Its a classic!
-
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
how times change
boys from the blackstuff remains a classic piece of mid eighties tv with thar said it is interesting to see how mild the language is and it is to bleasdales credit that he manages to transcend this while keeping his character away from the scouse cliche both heartbreaking and funny by turn
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
-
-
- Boys From The Black Stuff
- DVD: £9.93
Free Delivery - RRP £15.79 (you save: 37%)
All five of Alan Bleasdale's acclaimed series of plays.... -
Related user collection
Essential Television (20)
100% from 1 member
Celebrity collection
Andy Serkis (3)
77.6% from 24 members
