One Summer (1983) User Reviews

One Memorable Summer

[stu_humphreys2 · 9/10 · 7 August 2008]

I can't begin to describe the effect this series had on me when it first aired in the mid-80's and has continued to have on me since.

Having recently purchased on DVD and re-watched a whole wave of thoughts and feelings (old and new) raced through my mind. Many things in this world don't age well but I feel 'One Summer' (With the obvious exception of the 80's clothing) is certainly not one of them. Is just as realistic, funny, sad, touching and ultimately rewarding as I remember it. Only this time watching through the eyes of a 35 year old it seems even more poignant.

The Story of Billy and Icky, 2 Liverpool lads from the wrong side of the tracks who escape to Wales one summer, seemed almost embedded into my life over the last twenty or so years. It seemed to be one of those series that the kids who saw it got to grips with very easily and often chatted about at school and yet it seemed to address some very adult and serious subjects possibly for the first time for many of us.

Reading the other comments on this site, its interesting to see how much of an impact it had on everyone of a certain era. TV dramas like these come along once in a blue moon and its bizarre how certain things (Jumping off the train when they reach Wales, Icky's plate-skimming antics, or the lads shear horror at being taking to the village country dance) were stuck in my memory. But there were many very touching and genuinely sad moments I had forgotten, like when they fed the mars bar to the baby birds, or when Kidder gave the boys the books he has written for them.

Now re-watching this series through the eyes of an adult I can see the various subjects and themes that were important but perhaps I didn't fully understand when I was 11....that now make more sense. For example I simply thought the character of Kidda wanted a life of solitude but in light of the pain he has been through in his past life you can practically see the anguish on his face that he doesn't want the boys to live there when Billy begs him to stay, because he knows the implications it will bring. Or the way Icky hangs on everything Billy says and does, as if he were his guardian angel, we all knew kids a bit like Icky growing up.

I had seen David Morrissey (Billy) in a number of things over the years and knew he had gone on to big things in Hollywood etc. but I had often wondered what happened to Spencer Leigh (Icky). It was a real pleasure watching the interview with them both on the special features. I actually found I was smiling to myself when I got to see Icky in the flesh - as he did finally get to grow up.

I am sure I am not alone in the tremendous feeling of sadness with what happens to Icky half way through the final episode. That had a profound shock then and still does now.

So in a way I felt comforted to see Spencer Leigh well again and laughing with his old pal. This might sound 'soft' as the boys would say but it indicates the lasting effect this series had on my psyche and growing up in general.

As one other reviewer on this site comments, they don't often make TV as good as this anymore - and indeed they hardly don't. See it again.

Required viewing

[hevnlee-36257 · 9/10 · 1 February 2020]

This and a very young Kenneth Branagh in The Boy In The Bush we're landmark quality one off mini series everyone talked about.

working class action filming

[burtofprey-1 · 9/10 · 22 September 2021]

Very interesting to look back at 1983. I was 21 at that time but I never watched this Our Summer. I only have watched one episode but I can see this series was made in a very modern way. It is filmed in action, raw, and shaky. The story is set in a working class environment. The two protagonist are emotionally neglected by their parents and grow up in bitter poverty. They desperately seek a way out, but sadly they regard education as useless. As young as they are, they carry deep psychological scars which makes them nihilistic, like the young generations did in those days. England is 'famous' for its motion pictures about the working class. Our Summer belongs to the same genre as for instance Ken Loach's socially critical directing style and socialist ideals movies. I can totally relate to the men who experienced England in those days as a young man and wrote their revies here.

I look very much towards the story progress. The two boys are going to meet a gay older person. What will be his influence? I might write about it later.

Coming of age

[jonathan123-1 · 8 October 2005]

One Summer was one of the best TV drama's I had the pleasure of watching. As a Young 1980's teenager lad myself, I felt empathy for the characters. Going to school, summer camp, peer problems, teenage angst. I had it, they had it. Their problems were mine. (albeit without their violent moments and the illiteracy). I saw the series twice in full. Once in 1983 when it first aired, then again the following year. Alas, I never saw it again, and since reaching adulthood, I have been trying to find it. Partly I think to relive my youth, but also to recapture the emotional feelings it left me with. The humour, sadness and the graphic images live with me to this day. Tattooed into my memory bank, never to be erased. Dramas of this calibre do not come along too often. Some come and go without a second thought. Not this one. This was wonderful in its writing and acting. Why it has never been shown again (to my knowledge), remains a mystery. This would be a repeat I'd watch again and again.

A memorable coming of age drama

[caitlin_online · 10/10 · 19 April 2002]

This 5 part coming-of-age drama had a profound affect on me as a teenager. It was the first screen appearance of David Morrissey, who has since gone on to a fair level of screen success both in the UK and US. Also appearing as the troubled Icky was the brilliant Spencer Leigh, who unfortunately has not had the same success and appears to have appeared in very little since, and nothing in the last 10 years... I can still hum the haunting harmonica theme by Alan Parker.

One of the best dramas i've ever seen

[Steve_Oliver-1 · 10/10 · 13 December 2008]

One Summer has to be one of thee best dramas i've ever seen. Back in 1983 (when i was 14) i was completely hooked to the storyline during the 6 week summer holidays and the transition period between middle school and high school. I've only just watched the series again on DVD and ooh... the memories came flooding back. The acting between the 3 main characters is still as convincing as ever, with Icky still doing a laughable, comedic performance despite 25 years that have passed.

Back then.. i had a crush on Jo and seeing her again with her curvaceous figure (market scene and swim scene with Billy) still rekindled the feelings i had before i became 'one of the boys' ;), though i didn't know she was 10 years older than me, until now (not that it matters).

The ending to the story is still as upsetting as ever, with Ickys death, Kidders beating and Billys arrest. Finally.. Alan Parkers theme song to the series well and truly compliments the atmosphere of the whole drama. I definitely recommend "One Summer" to anyone who hasn't seen it, though it may be 25 years old, it still holds the intensity that beats most dramas of this era.

Unforgettable.

[kindofblue-78221 · 10/10 · 25 July 2022]

I'll never forget when I watched the first episode in August 1983. I was captivated by it then and I still am.

Maybe its because it captures both the innocence of ignorance of youth we all have and we all inevitably loose.

Maybe I love it because I still learn for those anarchic days when we think we're immune to absolutely everything and the outside world is a mere illusion.

One summer captures the essence and desires of youth.

I've followed David Morrissys career ever since and think he's one of our very finest actors.

I originally recorded the series on my betemax recorder. We watched it until it almost snapped.

And now I have the series on bluray I haven't worn it out yet.

But that's only because there are more durable.

Great teen series

[stefandrgs · 9/10 · 17 October 2009]

Unfortunately I've only seen the series on a DVD borrowed from British Coouncil. It's a great mini series, they don't produce this any more. It's a pity that Willy Russell doesn't write anymore. I'm only rating 9 and not 10 because of the image quality. Unfortunately I've only seen the series on a DVD borrowed from British Coouncil. It's a great mini series, they don't produce this any more. It's a pity that Willy Russell doesn't write anymore. I'm only rating 9 and not 10 because of the image quality. Unfortunately I've only seen the series on a DVD borrowed from British Coouncil. It's a great mini series, they don't produce this any more. It's a pity that Willy Russell doesn't write anymore. I'm only rating 9 and not 10 because of the image quality.

This drama stayed with me for a long while

[jjbx-54149 · 9/10 · 23 September 2023]

I watched this series when it was first broadcast back in the 80s. I was a similar age to the main protagonists at the time so the themes struck a real chord with me. Although I am not from the Merseyside area I felt an affinity with the boy's characters with their desire to escape normality to seek adventure and excitement, I also recognised their angst with British society. I still reminisce about this series 40 odd years later and have very fond memories of the outstanding performances by the young actors. This series in my opinion was the early landmark series for British television in the 80s.

One Summer - an amazing drama

[jane-caddick · 7 June 2005]

I totally agree with the other user comments about One Summer. It made a huge impact to all my peers growing up as we did - in Liverpool - hours of discussion followed the next day at school.

What was even more unusual at the time, was a drama on TV that had young scousers in it!(TV was a very different place in the early 80's you see - dominated by 'proper' accents and everything).

I found it very powerful - and you just knew that David Morrisey was going to go far. A memorable performance by both the main leads, and I was interested to find out that Ian Hart was in it too! Brilliant stuff by Willy Russell.

If only UK TV produced this quality now instead of reality TV rubbish...

Just wish I could see it again...

2 'Scally's 1 Summer = trouble..or does it?

[Stretch1968 · 21 June 2004]

This was a fantastic mini series everyone could relate to. The story of 2 'Scouse' lads on the run, trying desperately to go straight, by hiding out in rural Wales. This was a heart warming tale that showed that no matter where you go and what you do you can never escape your past. The roles were played so convincingly and with such heart that it bought a lump to your throat, a tear to your eye and kept you on the edge of your seat till the next installment, a classic piece of British drama at its best. I wish this was released on DVD as it would be a huge hit the world over. If you liked Lock Stock or Billy Bathgate then try and see this it is without doubt one of the most under exposed mini's of the last 20 years, Unmisable! !

One Summer - Fantastic!

[tas-shoukris · 17 February 2006]

I received my copy of this DVD direct from Network DVD and what a superb package. The commentaries from David, Spencer and Ian were very informative and nostalgic in their content. What made this extra special was that I missed the final episode when it was first shown so I've waited 20+ years to see it and it was well worth the wait. The locations, the way that it was filmed and the atmospheric lighting was excellent. It really highlighted the tragic lives of these youngsters growing up in such a deprived environment. I am sure that there would have been scope for a follow up to see if Billy made anything of his life and whether he returned to Wales. If only there were more dramas of this quality on television today.

Can't find this anywhere

[Simoso · 17 May 2004]

All my friends are of the same opinion. It affected us all as 14 year olds and at a desperate time in Thatcherite England I think this play gave us all hope and taught us simple but important lessons. I recall John Sim saying something similar in an interview when promoting State od Play. He also said that it made him want to be an actor and David Morrisey (his co-star in SofP) inspired him to go do it. I remember that the clothes were cool for the time and we all wanted Icky's Tacchini tracksuit top.

It is difficult to tell youngsters how bad things were int he early 80's in this country. We all thought we were going to get blown up any minute and nobody had any money.

Teen life in the 1980s

[craig_j_stephen · 16 March 2011]

In the 1970s programmes based in Liverpool centred largely around the comedy The Liver Birds. But by the 1980s there was the groundbreaking series about unemployment The Boys from the Blackstuff, One Summer and the semi-social realist Brookside soap opera. Like previous reviewers I too watched this in my teenage years (I was 14 when it aired) and seeing this on DVD reminds me what an excellent series it was, albeit with some flaws. While One Summer doesn't dwell on the social inequalities in Liverpool at the time - under the Conservative government it was hit hard and was the only region to actually have a swing to Labour in a Tory landslide in the election of May that year (1983) - it does touch on working-class deprivation without delving into the complexities of the issue. Billy and Icky are two 15 year-olds about to leave school with no qualifications and little job prospects. Billy's home is a dysfunctional one and he is a petty thief being eyed up by the police. Both are part of a gang that get involved in various scraps, some with knives. The second-in-command of this group is Rabbit, played by Ian Hart (then called Ian Davies) who would become a nemesis for the pair. Leaving Liverpool on train in their school uniforms for north Wales, Billy and Icky become involved in a series of adventures in which they struggle to leave behind their social background and upbringing and attempt to blend in with a rural community. It also shows, somewhat uniquely for the time perhaps, two 15-year-olds doing exactly what boys of that age do, muck about and deal with teen angst. I've just watched all five 50-minute episodes of the series as well as the interviews with lead actors David Morrissey (Billy), Spencer Leigh (Icky) and Hart. Alas, James Hazeldine, who played the slightly hippy Kidder and director Gordon Flemyng had died by the time this section was filmed. Flemyng is described by Morrissey and Leigh as an amiable but tough Glaswegian who got the best out of the cast. It's also revealed, by producer Keith Richardson, that the casting procedure was a lengthy one, going round the area's drama schools and secondary schools. Neither Morrissey nor Leigh had any formal acting experience although Davies/Hart had appeared in Play For Today. It's an excellent exploration of youth but does contrive some unfortunate incidents the duo get involved in, has a grim ending and the romance between Billy and Jo is as lame as any Hollywood blockbuster can get. Those aside, I found this a fantastic series to watch, with the spectacles' rose tints thoroughly faded with age.

As Good As I Remember!

[hidden_shallows · 29 January 2006]

I've just finished watching this on DVD for the first time since it was aired in 1983, when it had a huge impact on me as a twelve year old growing up in Thatcherite Britain. Certain parts of it I remembered clearly and certain parts I didn't, but I was amazed at how much this TV drama was ingrained on my psyche and yes, it's just as good as I remembered it.

It tells the story of the adventures of two Liverpool lads, Billy and Icky, who steal some money and head off to Wales because one of them remembers having had a good time at a camp out there and how they are befriended and helped by a recluse called Kidder. All three of leads have dark pasts and the main theme of the story is how no matter how hard you try and how far you run, you can't escape your past.

Excellent performances, haunting and memorable music and a heart-breaking story add up to a truly recommended 250 minutes.

The most influential TV series i very seen

[latestfilms · 18 March 2006]

This has to be the most influential TV series of any ever made. i am from Liverpool but have spoken to people from all the world regarding this TV series. i was fortunate enough to have been a 14 year old in the ONE SUMMER holidays. over 5 weeks this masterpiece of drama unfolded in to the cult it is today and thank the gods whom ever got this released to its official status did so. all the people whom made this deserve more recognition than it did. ebay pirates made an absolute fortune out of this due to its worldwide popularity. Liverpool at it most depressing and yet its utter best. acting and storyline superb. once again another masterpiece by the master himself.