Boys from the Blackstuff [DVD] [1989]

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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Alan Bleasdale's Boys from the Blackstuff gripped television audiences in 1982 with its bleak, fiercely funny exploration of the effect of the UK's economic depression on a group of Merseyside characters, originally introduced in his 1978 play, The Blackstuff. Bleasdale's writing is unsparing in both its pain and its unconditional affection for characters being pushed to the very limit of civilisation. Yosser Hughes (the outstanding Bernard Hill) is still, and rightly, recognised as one of the great creations of modern television drama: a man on the brink of madness, unlikeable, ostracised, digging a deeper hole with every desperate act, but ultimately a human being deserving our sympathy.

The performances are wonderful throughout: particularly Peter Kerrigan as Malone, the once giant union leader reduced to a shadow but still with the spark that commands love and respect; Michael Angelis as Chrissie and, in a typically sharp cameo, Julie Walters as his wife. "My dreams still give me hope and faith in my class. I can't believe there's no hope," says Chrissie towards the end. And it's testament to Bleasdale's skill and the resilience of his characters that somehow, that flicker of hope remains unextinguished.

The blackstuff--the tarmac--of the title becomes increasingly ironic. There is none. The boys have no work. The dole office scenes have a grimly nostalgic, documentary quality. Each second drips another droplet of disillusionment on people whose expectations are crushed by every effort to haul themselves up. Thatcher's Britain was a cruel place for many people. The unspoken question that hangs in the air after watching Bleasdale's poetic dissection of ruined lives is, have things really changed that much? Television drama doesn't come any more powerful or honest than this.

On the DVD: Boys from the Blackstuff is presented in standard 4:3 TV format with a mono soundtrack that often suffers from a muffled quality. There's only one additional feature, but it's a treasure: The Blackstuff, Alan Bleasdale's original 90-minute play, is presented as a prelude to the series with the bonus of an insightful commentary from the author and the director, Jim Goddard. --Piers Ford

Realistic representation of the time
Review date: 2010-05-29 Rating: 8 out of 10

Keith Miles' novel was based on the scripts of the British TV series of the same name, which was written by Alan Bleasdale. It follows the lives of five unemployed men in Liverpool and gives an insight into how losing their jobs in recession ridden England of the late 1970s and early 1980s has a devastating impact on every aspect of their lives.

The book opens by introducing the main characters as they attend the dole office to sign-on for their unemployment benefit. They are being watched by the inspectors who suspect them of working while claiming unemployment benefit and humour is introduced using the vehicle of some inept attempts by the dole offer to trap them.

Of course, the authorities do catch up with them and they lose their benefit, putting additional pressure on themselves to find money to feed their families, and even keep their families together.

While presented with a lot of black humour, the book has a very serious social message, and having lived in the UK through the period concerned I knew several people in the position described. The book, and at the time the TV programme, gave an accurate depiction of the time and the predicaments portrayed.

The "Blackstuff" of the title relates to tar macadam, and the men concerned had all worked laying tar on the roads before losing their jobs.

"Boys from the Blackstuff" gave Britain a cultural icon; "Yosser Hughes". Yosser was one of the unemployed men in the story and he became well known for his slightly demented nature and his catch phrase, "Go on, gizza job" (Go on, give us a job), which he would use just before giving his interlocutor a vicious head butt to the nose.

This book is a worthwhile read, with a serious message, humour, and a lot of social history. It will make you laugh, cry, and ponder. It may even urge you to make this world a better place.

Reviews

One Of The Greats
Review date: 2010-04-21 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is one of the greats and many people (older people)still remember this from its tv showings.. A real classic..

Boys From The Blackstuff, 70's and 80's TV Series
Review date: 2010-03-17 Rating: 10 out of 10

I had not seen the original Play for Today, 'The Black Stuff', and enjoyed it and the series, it was as if I had watched it yesterday instead of decades ago. Anybody unhappy with todays situation should watch this. The item arrived quickly and was in excellent condition.

Memories
Review date: 2010-03-16 Rating: 8 out of 10

Remembered watching this series on TV first time round. Obviously it sems dated now compared to current TV but enjoyed watching and being reminded of the catch phrases such as 'Gi' us a job!'

Drama DVD
Review date: 2010-03-06 Rating: 10 out of 10

I purchased this DVD so I could watch it without crying (didn't work, still cried) the utter brilliance of the writing and acting together with the ability of this series to make one think is superb, I feel that anyone who wishes to know about the 1980's (or even if they don't) should have this DVD as well as "Brassed Off" as part of their essential collection.

Product Details/Specifications

Actor(s):
Michael Angelis
Bernard Hill
Tom Georgeson
Julie Walters

Creators:
Michael Angelis (Primary Contributor)
Bernard Hill (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

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Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503117825
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 3
Format: Closed-captioned, Colour, PAL,
Release date: 2003-05-26
Aspect ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 306 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1989
Language: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired)
Language: English (Original Language)