To Serve Them All My Days (1980– )

David Powlett-Jones has just returned to England from the trenches of WWI. He was injured and shell-shocked and, after a spell in hospital he gets a job teaching in a boys boarding school ... See full summary »

Stars:

John Duttine, Frank Middlemass, Alan MacNaughton

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
John Duttine	...	David Powlett-Jones (13 episodes, 1980-1981)
Frank Middlemass	...	Algy Herries (13 episodes, 1980-1981)
Alan MacNaughton	...	Howarth (12 episodes, 1980-1981)
Patricia Lawrence	...	Ellie Herries (10 episodes, 1980-1981)
Neil Stacy	...	Carter (8 episodes, 1980)

Storyline

David Powlett-Jones has just returned to England from the trenches of WWI. He was injured and shell-shocked and, after a spell in hospital he gets a job teaching in a boys boarding school in S.W. England. He is not at all sure he can do the job, but the avuncular headmaster has faith in him. David, although well educated, is just a humble lad from the Welsh valleys at heart and has to fit himself and his ideas into the heart of the English establishment.

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Plot Keywords:

boarding school | boy | headmaster | english | shell shock | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 October 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Una vida a su servicio

Filming Locations:

Canford School, Dorset, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

673 min 673 min (13 parts)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The filming at the Milton Abbey School in Dorset, which served as Bamfylde in the series, took place during actual school term. The "real" students at the school happily mixed with the cast and crew and many of the boys who appear in the series are genuine schoolboys.

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Goofs

Several times, the length of David's tie changes between indoor and outdoor scenes in the same sequence. Example: Episode 8 opens with David walking back to Bamfylde early in the morning. His tie ends well above his belt. When David arrives at his house and talks with Molyneux, David's tie extends below his belt. From there, David goes outdoors to meet Algy and Brigadier Cooper, and his tie is once again short.

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Quotes

Dr. Farrington: You Welshmen are all the same - never satisfied unless you've got something to feel guilty about. Well, I'm afraid this won't fill the bill. Your job's safe and it appears that you've lost an enemy. You'll just have to reconcile yourself to being happy, poor fellow.

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Soundtracks

"School Song"
(opening music)
Written by Kenyon Emrys-Roberts

User Reviews

One of my favorites

When this series played on Masterpiece Theatre in the early 80s, I was fortunate enough to live in an area with two PBS stations, each of which played the show twice a week at different times, so was able to watch the series four times through. Several years ago, it was shown again, and my father video-taped it for me, so that when I get the urge, I plunk in my videos and fall in love all over again.

I have seen a number of Masterpiece Theatres over the years, but this one has to be my favorite. The characters are well acted, especially PJ, played by John Duttine (isn't he gorgeous!)--sensitive, passionate, and above all, a survivor. The cynical Howarth is a perfect foil (he reminds me of an old Latin teacher I once had), and the perfect best friend. Then there's the interplay between Algy Herries and his wife (a comfortable couple if I ever saw one). And can anybody help but cringe when the "Noble" Alcock comes aboard? (Hissss)

Although I have my own homemade tapes of this program, I would be happier with a professional set and agree with others who have posted that this one ought to be released. Masterpiece Theatre at its finest.