Arthur's Hallowed Ground (TV 1984)

Arthur is the groundsman. He's a perfectionist who has lovingly tended the cricket pitch for 45 years. Now he is given a new assistant.

Director:

Freddie Young

Writer:

Peter Gibbs

Stars:

Jimmy Jewel, Michael Elphick, David Swift

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jimmy Jewel	...	Arthur
Michael Elphick	...	Len
David Swift	...	Lionel
Vas Blackwood	...	Henry
Bernard Gallagher	...	George
Jean Boht	...	Betty
Derek Benfield	...	Eric
John Flanagan	...	Norman
Sam Kelly	...	Sales Representative
Al Ashton	...	Billy
Mark Drewry	...	Kev
Paul McLean	...	Young Arthur
Ronald Forfar	...	Foreman

Storyline

Arthur is the groundsman. He's a perfectionist who has lovingly tended the cricket pitch for 45 years. Now he is given a new assistant.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 February 1986 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Coventry, West Midlands, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Enigma Productions, Goldcrest Films International, Techno Sunley Institute

Technical Specs

Runtime:

71 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

On several occasions, Arthur refers to the outfield as the 'pitch', something a cricket groundsman would never do. The pitch refers exclusively to the strip 66' (22yds) by 10' on which the game is played. The remainder of the field is referred to as the infield, outfield, or simply 'the field'. He also mentions the field's perimeter. This is always called the boundary, also a mistake no cricketer would ever make.

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Connections

Follows P'tang, Yang, Kipperbang. (1982)

User Reviews

Charming

Charming debut from octogenarian director Freddy Young. The hallowed ground in question is a cricket pitch, of which Arthur is the groundsman

The directing debut from 80-year-old Freddy Young (David Lean's triple Oscar Winning photographer), comes from the same Puttnam produced TV series, First Love, as P'Tang Yang Kipperbang.

For 45 years, groundsman Arthur (Jimmy Jewell) has toiled to create the perfect cricket pitch. He's fiercely protective of his pride and joy to the extent that the hallowed turf's appearance is more important to him than its purpose, and his obduracy is turning the school authorities against him.

New assistant, Henry (Blackwood), struggles to establish a relationship with his intimidating boss, but slowly he wears away at Arthur's leathery surface to reveal the old man's tender affections.