"Boys from the Blackstuff" (1982) TV mini-series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

10 October 1982 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Children | Father | Suicide Attempt | Liverpool | TV Mini-Series

Awards:

6 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Michael Angelis	...	Chrissie Todd (5 episodes, 1982)
Bernard Hill	...	Yosser Hughes (5 episodes, 1982)
Alan Igbon	...	Loggo Lomond (5 episodes, 1982)
Peter Kerrigan	...	George Malone (5 episodes, 1982)
Gary Bleasdale	...	Kevin Dean (3 episodes, 1982)
Tom Georgeson	...	Dixie Dean (3 episodes, 1982)
Tamana Bleasdale	...	Anne Marie Hughes (3 episodes, 1982)
Jamie Bleasdale	...	Dustin Hughes (3 episodes, 1982)
Timothy Bleasdale	...	Jason Hughes (3 episodes, 1982)
Shay Gorman	...	Malloy (3 episodes, 1982)

Series Directed by
Philip Saville		(5 episodes, 1982)

Series Writing credits
Alan Bleasdale		(5 episodes, 1982)

Series Produced by
Michael Wearing	....	producer (5 episodes, 1982)

Series Original Music by
Ilona Sekacz		(5 episodes, 1982)

Series Cinematography by
Ian Churchill		(1 episode, 1982)
John Kenway		(1 episode, 1982)

Series Film Editing by
Greg Miller		(1 episode, 1982)

Series Production Design by
Ian Ashurst		(5 episodes, 1982)

Series Costume Design by
Al Barnett		(5 episodes, 1982)

Series Makeup Department
Maggie Thomas	....	makeup artist (5 episodes, 1982)

Series Production Management
David Attwood	....	production manager (5 episodes, 1982)
Andrew Smith	....	production manager (4 episodes, 1982)

Series Art Department
Leslie Hope-Stone	....	graphic designer (1 episode, 1982)
Mike Preece	....	properties buyer (1 episode, 1982)
John Plush	....	design assistant (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Ramon Bailey	....	sound (4 episodes, 1982)
Dave Baumber	....	dubbing mixer (4 episodes, 1982)

Series Stunts
Bill Weston	....	stunt arranger (4 episodes, 1982)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Dick Bentley	....	lighting technician (4 episodes, 1982)
Keith Salmon	....	camera operator (4 episodes, 1982)
Paul Woolston	....	camera operator (2 episodes, 1982)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Colin Bailey	....	costume assistant (unknown episodes)
George Collins	....	dresser (unknown episodes)
Rachel Selby	....	dresser (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Mike Bloore	....	video-tape editor (4 episodes, 1982)

Series Other crew
Paul Braithwaite	....	assistant floor manager (5 episodes, 1982)
Roger Gregory	....	script editor (5 episodes, 1982)
Carol Parks	....	production associate (5 episodes, 1982)
Francine Brown	....	production assistant (4 episodes, 1982)

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Runtime:

50 min (5 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Filming Locations:

Dingle, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

This drama was seen by many as an indictment of Thatcher's Britain, but in fact Alan Bleasdale wrote four out of the five episodes before Margaret Thatcher even came to power.

Quotes:

Yosser Hughes: You're Graham Souness... you look like me.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Drama Connections: Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (#1.1)" (2005)

If you were there, you'll understand.

Boys from the Black Stuff is more than just a story. It's a snapshot of a special time in a special place. Liverpool in the 1980's could be a bleak and despairing place, with only the common threads of unemployment and humour keeping spirits alive. The story centres on the struggle of a ragged band of workers trying to make ends meet. On the way we see scams, subterfuge, corruption and the ongoing battle between the workers and the 'sniffers' (welfare benefit fraud investigators).

The locations are superb, painting a grisly accurate portrait of the time, with much of the filming done in Liverpool 8.

The language and dialogue also help capture the spirit of the time, with idiomatic 'scouse' used without apology.

Perhaps the best summary of the whole series is encapsulated in a line from the opening scenes in the first episode. Whilst establishing the number of dependents a claimant has, he is told that his grown up children who are 'on the dole' don't count. His response: "Nobody on the dole counts,love".

Recently released on dvd, this series is a documented history of the sharp end of 'Thatcher's Millions' - watch it if you can.