Pennies From Heaven
1978
Dennis Potter's popular and highly acclaimed TV drama--it won the BAFTA for Outstanding Drama when it first aired in 1978--follows the life of sheet-music salesman Arthur Parker in 1930s Britain. Bob Hoskins plays Parker, a man with a passion for the ladies, and his product, who leads a frustrated life with a frigid wife and .. Read more
| Starring | Bob Hoskins, Cheryl Campbell |
|---|---|
| Director | Piers Haggard |
| Genres | Drama, Television |
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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10 out of 13 people found this review helpful
This is Television at its best
Occasionally a work comes along whose mood is so unique and so vividly communicated that it can't be forgotten. This is one of those. Dennis Potter never did anything like as good again (and neither has anyone else); Bob Hoskins and Cheryl Campbell gave the performances of their careers, in roles most actors would die for. Every part was a great part; every scene was something that had never been seen before. There are faults, too, but they only point up what an amazing achievement this was.
The only negative the BBC's transfer to DVD is certainly not in the class of Criterion and I would have liked to see a better video transfer. But it does not spoil the entertainment value. -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
EXELLENT BBC TV PRODUCTION
This is a brilliant mini series and definitely worth renting
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Wish I'd caught it first time around
Because now it is pretty dated and the song dubbing doesn't fit as well as it does in The Singing Detective and Lipstick on Your Collar. Although Bob Hoskins is great, it's not enough to carry it into this century I know I would have loved it had I seen it way back when. Damn the passage of time...!
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Most recent members' reviews (2)
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Wish I'd caught it first time around
Because now it is pretty dated and the song dubbing doesn't fit as well as it does in The Singing Detective and Lipstick on Your Collar. Although Bob Hoskins is great, it's not enough to carry it into this century I know I would have loved it had I seen it way back when. Damn the passage of time...!
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Pretty average
Liked the Singing Detective a lot so thought I would give this a go as it was on too late for me to watch when I was a kid!
Not bad, similar formula to Singing Detective but storyline nowhere near as good, looks pretty dated too.
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10 out of 13 people found this review helpful
This is Television at its best
Occasionally a work comes along whose mood is so unique and so vividly communicated that it can't be forgotten. This is one of those. Dennis Potter never did anything like as good again (and neither has anyone else); Bob Hoskins and Cheryl Campbell gave the performances of their careers, in roles most actors would die for. Every part was a great part; every scene was something that had never been seen before. There are faults, too, but they only point up what an amazing achievement this was.
The only negative the BBC's transfer to DVD is certainly not in the class of Criterion and I would have liked to see a better video transfer. But it does not spoil the entertainment value. -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
EXELLENT BBC TV PRODUCTION
This is a brilliant mini series and definitely worth renting
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Wish I'd caught it first time around
Because now it is pretty dated and the song dubbing doesn't fit as well as it does in The Singing Detective and Lipstick on Your Collar. Although Bob Hoskins is great, it's not enough to carry it into this century I know I would have loved it had I seen it way back when. Damn the passage of time...!
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Pretty average
Liked the Singing Detective a lot so thought I would give this a go as it was on too late for me to watch when I was a kid!
Not bad, similar formula to Singing Detective but storyline nowhere near as good, looks pretty dated too. -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Potter at his best
Just as good as I remember it.
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Customer Review
Very glad I got the first DVD on rental, to see what it was like. Never saw this when it was first on, but enjoyed 'Lipstick on your collar' so thought I'd give it a whirl. Firstly, £28 for three disks? And each disk with only 2 episodes? That's a real rip off. Even 'Singing Detective' has three episodes per disk. On to the review: yes, it is well acted in places (Bob Hoskins, Cheryl Campbell) but frankly, why would I want to watch something where the actors burst into foggy song far too often? And as to Bob Hoskins' character - he may be frustrated and worn down by life's injustices, but at heart he's also rather unpleasant. So I found it hard to be drawn in. As to DVD extras, there weren't any (on the 1st disk).
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Watched first episode ...
and that was enough - cancelled all the rest. Boring.
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
still excellent
I first saw Pennies from heaven when it was originally shown on TV, and thought it was excellent then. Having watched it again after more than 25 years its power has not diminished nor dated. The characterisation is painfully credible, and the barely articulated longing of its main character, Arthur, for something better, as represented by the songs of the period, is outstanding. The writing, direction, performances and incorporation of songs into the narrative are outstanding. It is a film which I plan to watch again in the future.
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A Bit of Nostalgia!
An interesting look at an oldie, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The only minus - very fuzzy images. Presumably the BBc are responsible.
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Dennis Potter and a BBC production - a delight
This series helped to expose Bob Hoskins as a great all round actor in the UK.
Pennies From Heaven is a classy TV series that powerfully combines period music from the 30s and 40s with well produced drama about ordinary people. It has good pace and excellent attention to detail.
Well worth a watch for an accurate view of England at that time cleverly expressed through popular music of the day.
It is our heritage!
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
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- Pennies From Heaven
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Dennis Potter's popular and highly acclaimed TV drama--it won the BAFTA for Outstanding Drama when it first aired in 1978--follows the life of sheet-music salesman Arthur Parker in 1930s Britain. Bob ... -
