Interviewed shortly before his death, the writer Dennis Potter identified the three of his works he considered the best: his serials 'Pennies From Heaven' and 'The Singing Detective', and this short play, in which he addresses childhood (and the memories thereof) by casting adults to play their younger selves. There's a great thematic consistency to all of Potter's writings, and it's easy in retrospect to see everything he wrote prior to 'The Singing Detective' as leading up to that masterpiece (he was shameless about self-plagiarism), a view which also explains the relative vacuity of his later work; and this means that watching 'Blue Remembered Hills' today, it doesn't quite have the impact that it may first have done, before elements present in it were reworked (together with elements from all his other dramas) in his landmark achievement. But it's still well-observed and disturbing, although it's almost as shocking to hear its really quite distinguished cast speaking in Forest of Dean accents as it is to see them dressed as children. What's really a shame is that Potter learnt his trade writing numerous screenplays for television: produced on low budgets, they nonetheless aired to a mass audience (in an age of few channels); and it's hard to see where today's young writers have a similar opportunity (or desire) to make challenging drama of this sort. Which is not to say there is no talent any more; but another Dennis Potter may be a long time in coming.
7 Reviews
Potter's best?
trimmerb12345 June 2008
This was Dennis Potter's simplest TV play, drawn apparently from vivid memories of his childhood in the Forest of Dean during WW2. Successive productions though became increasingly elaborate, obscure and reflecting obsessions with his own disabling illness and young women largely as sex objects. His increasing reputation coincided with an Emporer's clothes syndrome where each offering became ritually hailed as a masterpiece.
This is a faultless production where Potter's spot-on script and characterisations of a group of 12 year-olds are coupled to the novel but very successful device of having adults play children.
It is a simple original dish made of the best ingredients and impeccably cooked. Something nobody can fail to fully enjoy and appreciate.
This is a faultless production where Potter's spot-on script and characterisations of a group of 12 year-olds are coupled to the novel but very successful device of having adults play children.
It is a simple original dish made of the best ingredients and impeccably cooked. Something nobody can fail to fully enjoy and appreciate.
a masterpiece
magicwand44416 October 2007
dennis potter is still the best playwright of the television age and this is his best work.
set in the forrest of dean on a summers day during world war 2,we follow the a group of children at play.but the children's play has a tragic outcome.
potter set out to challenge our perception as all the children are played by adults.(colin welland, who plays willie,in an interview at the time said that the play challenged the actors as well).it could have foundered instead it draws you in until you only see children.children who are by turns nasty,nice,scared,brave,stupid, clever,bloodthirsty and imaginative.one of the best scenes remains when three of the children play mums and dads-adults playing children playing adults-pure genius.
the acting is first-class.none of them has ever done anything better.
an absolute must see
set in the forrest of dean on a summers day during world war 2,we follow the a group of children at play.but the children's play has a tragic outcome.
potter set out to challenge our perception as all the children are played by adults.(colin welland, who plays willie,in an interview at the time said that the play challenged the actors as well).it could have foundered instead it draws you in until you only see children.children who are by turns nasty,nice,scared,brave,stupid, clever,bloodthirsty and imaginative.one of the best scenes remains when three of the children play mums and dads-adults playing children playing adults-pure genius.
the acting is first-class.none of them has ever done anything better.
an absolute must see
A truly fabulous masterpiece
Arctic_Wizard24 February 2006
I very recently played the part of Donald for an assessed GSCE performance of Blue Remembered Hills, and buying the DVD version was a great help not to mention getting an opportunity to see Helen Mirren (which is always a great pleasure).
Blue Remembered Hills the title taken from A.E Houseman's epic poem 'The Shropshire Lad' is set on a summer afternoon, in the Forest of Dean during the second world war 1943. For the first 60 minutes we passively observe the true nature of what children are like alone and away from adult supervision. With evidence from each child's background, that interweaves in how they behave and treat one another, before leading to a horrible and terrifying conclusion
Helen Mirren is, as always, beautiful and despite being 34 at the time of its film, could pass about 19. Her acting is of course 100% on top form. As is the versatile Janine Duvitski who also stars as Mirren's on-screen best friend, Audrey. Colin Jeavons is also brilliant as the disturbed Donald and gave me a lot of inspiration towards playing the part. These three, are amongst the seven cast members who all cleverly bring children to life.
Dennis Potter was probably the 20th century version of Shakespeare. I give him a lot of credit and I'm satisfied that such a talented and profound playwright can be from Britain. RIP. I haven't seen 'The Singing Detective', which I've heard is another of Dennis Potter's acclaimed pieces, so those who have seen that I strongly suggest you watch this. There's no singing or dancing, but a well analysed script, fantastic acting and a profound moral. I know its frequently aired on BBC Three so keep checking but I recommend you purchase it off amazon.co.UK for a reasonable price.
An excellent TV Play.
Blue Remembered Hills the title taken from A.E Houseman's epic poem 'The Shropshire Lad' is set on a summer afternoon, in the Forest of Dean during the second world war 1943. For the first 60 minutes we passively observe the true nature of what children are like alone and away from adult supervision. With evidence from each child's background, that interweaves in how they behave and treat one another, before leading to a horrible and terrifying conclusion
Helen Mirren is, as always, beautiful and despite being 34 at the time of its film, could pass about 19. Her acting is of course 100% on top form. As is the versatile Janine Duvitski who also stars as Mirren's on-screen best friend, Audrey. Colin Jeavons is also brilliant as the disturbed Donald and gave me a lot of inspiration towards playing the part. These three, are amongst the seven cast members who all cleverly bring children to life.
Dennis Potter was probably the 20th century version of Shakespeare. I give him a lot of credit and I'm satisfied that such a talented and profound playwright can be from Britain. RIP. I haven't seen 'The Singing Detective', which I've heard is another of Dennis Potter's acclaimed pieces, so those who have seen that I strongly suggest you watch this. There's no singing or dancing, but a well analysed script, fantastic acting and a profound moral. I know its frequently aired on BBC Three so keep checking but I recommend you purchase it off amazon.co.UK for a reasonable price.
An excellent TV Play.
brilliant depicture of children's world
oomen431 August 2002
In a not so well-known piece of the maker of the singing detective, the group of children that is portrayed slowly yet steadily degress from just a bunch of playful kids into a sadistic bloodthirsty mob. Instead of the supposed innocence of children that Hollywood constantly tries to force on cinema audiences, this pic truly portrays children's fantasy worlds in all its crudeness. The fact that all children's roles are played by adult actors (albeit strange at first) works tremendously well.
The Good Old Days
adamjohns-4257523 March 2021
I think I first watched this film when I was about 12 and I have to say that I find it just as charming and endearing today as I did then.
I can so easily imagine my Mother & Father, Aunties and Uncles, when they were younger, in situations and having conversations very similar to those depicted here by the extremely talented actors.
It's a childhood that kids of the current generation will never know or understand and I still don't know if that's for the better. I certainly hope, if I'm ever lucky enough to have a child, that I find the balance between the old style of growing up and the new.
After a while you don't even notice than Dame Helen Mirren in one of her earlier roles is playing a child of about ten and even Michael Elphick, who has always looked about 50 to me, is so convincing as a child that it just works beautifully. I think that's partly because, in your subconscious you know that they aren't ten year olds and partly because of the great writing too. It provides a lovely humour and a quaint snapshot of a childhood full of imagination and no iPads.
Dennis Potter is clearly a very skilled writer and it's obvious that the team gathered to produce this with him are all incredibly good at their jobs too.
A classic forever.
It's a childhood that kids of the current generation will never know or understand and I still don't know if that's for the better. I certainly hope, if I'm ever lucky enough to have a child, that I find the balance between the old style of growing up and the new.
After a while you don't even notice than Dame Helen Mirren in one of her earlier roles is playing a child of about ten and even Michael Elphick, who has always looked about 50 to me, is so convincing as a child that it just works beautifully. I think that's partly because, in your subconscious you know that they aren't ten year olds and partly because of the great writing too. It provides a lovely humour and a quaint snapshot of a childhood full of imagination and no iPads.
Dennis Potter is clearly a very skilled writer and it's obvious that the team gathered to produce this with him are all incredibly good at their jobs too.
A classic forever.
Quintessential Potter (both good and bad)
210west2 March 2013
I've seen a lot of Dennis Potter's work, and "Hills" -- for all its oddity -- seems in fact quite typical: Theatrical gimmick? Check. Anti-sentimental? Check? Casual violence? Check. Nastiness/cruelty directed against the weak and vulnerable? Check. Forest of Dean? Check. Memorable? Check. Leaves a bad taste in one's mouth? Check.
The one familiar Potterism this play lacks is sex, which -- despite the fact that it's about seven-year-olds -- is actually a little surprising, as this angry, productive, somewhat unpleasant man very much enjoyed disturbing the public.
One additional element that perhaps makes "Hills" of interest today is that one of the little girls is played by Helen Mirren.
I'm rather glad, incidentally, that I didn't have to pay for a DVD copy; "Hills" is available in its entirety (at least at the time of this writing) on YouTube.
The one familiar Potterism this play lacks is sex, which -- despite the fact that it's about seven-year-olds -- is actually a little surprising, as this angry, productive, somewhat unpleasant man very much enjoyed disturbing the public.
One additional element that perhaps makes "Hills" of interest today is that one of the little girls is played by Helen Mirren.
I'm rather glad, incidentally, that I didn't have to pay for a DVD copy; "Hills" is available in its entirety (at least at the time of this writing) on YouTube.
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