"Crown Court" The Mugging of Arthur Simmons: Part 1 (TV Episode 1973) Poster

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9/10
Excellent drama reflecting 70's attitudes and values
michael-115117 November 2023
Whilst flares were widening, the Stones, Rolling (and rocking), a gang of Pythons amusing us and Dad's Army were on Parade, these great vignettes of contemporary drama were performed, cheaply, but effectively.

The issues of prejudice, perception and fairness are paramount in these three significant epistles. Cyril Shaps, a great actor, whose son went on to become Head of ITV, plays a pensioner mugged in a dark alley by two black men. The question is who did it? These - or others?

Did the community police constable, eight years on the beat in a multi-racial part of Fulchester act fairly and dispassionately? Could the two (slightly older looking, supposedly late teenage youths), both black but poles apart academically, socially and politically, one a black power student activist, the other working in a laundry, really mug Arthur?

It's quite surprising, really, that they both attend the same club, given their significant differences. Or maybe the winter, Paul Wheeler is just showing that two young black guys can be completely different.

In the two subsequent episodes, we meet the model, Miss Brown, who the student is going out with, she provides an alibi and gives a feisty performance in the witness box.

It's such a shame these dramas are nowhere to be found in contemporary viewing. We have to put up with soaps, predominately and primarily all froth and suds...

I'll leave you to watch to the end to hear the verdict. Well worth watching, too.
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8/10
A true glimpse at 70's attitudes.
Sleepin_Dragon20 February 2024
Elderly gentleman Arthur Simmons is attacked in the street late one evening, two guy black men are arrested for the crime, Simmons is backed by Mrs Winifred Palmer, an elderly lady who's a dab hand with her umbrella.

It's a thoroughly entertaining and interesting story, one that I think shows the true attitudes and opinions of people in 1973, the genuine prejudices that existed.

Gabrielle Day and Cyril Shaps are excellent as the two central characters here, two seasoned character actors. I look forward to hearing from the guilty parties.

Quite a procedural case, sometimes the show focuses on the emotional side of things, this one is perhaps more about the legalities, the elements such as inconsistencies with the lineup and the half Nelson.

Simmons is supposed to be 58, blimey he looks more like 88. I'm assuming Mrs Palmer is early thirties?

8/10.
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