"G.B.H." (1991) TV mini-series

User Rating:

8.7/10   

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

6 June 1991 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Michael Murray is an ambitious and charismatic politician, Jim Nelson is a much loved headmaster of a local school for disturbed children...

Plot Keywords:

School | Headmaster | Socialism | Female Nudity | City Council

Awards:

3 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Robert Lindsay	...	Michael Murray (7 episodes, 1991)
Michael Palin	...	Jim Nelson (7 episodes, 1991)
Dearbhla Molloy	...	Laura Nelson (7 episodes, 1991)
Alan Igbon	...	Teddy (7 episodes, 1991)
Andrew Schofield	...	Peter (7 episodes, 1991)
Philip Whitchurch	...	Franky Murray (7 episodes, 1991)
Julie Walters	...	Mrs. Murray (7 episodes, 1991)
Paul Oldham	...	Joey Thug (7 episodes, 1991)
Tom Georgeson	...	Lou Barnes (7 episodes, 1991)
Chris Hargreaves	...	Scrawny Thug (7 episodes, 1991)
Gary Mavers	...	Billy Thug (7 episodes, 1991)
Wayne Foskett	...	Macker Thug (7 episodes, 1991)
Karl Barry	...	Fifth Thug (7 episodes, 1991)
Paul Daneman	...	Mervyn Sloan (7 episodes, 1991)
Peter-Hugo Daly	...	Bubbles (7 episodes, 1991)
Jane Danson	...	Eileen Critchley (7 episodes, 1991)
Lindsay Duncan	...	Barbara Douglas (6 episodes, 1991)
Edward Mallon	...	Mark Nelson (6 episodes, 1991)
Hayley Fairclough	...	Jessica Nelson (6 episodes, 1991)
Michael Angelis	...	Martin Niarchos (6 episodes, 1991)
Anna Friel	...	Susan Nelson (6 episodes, 1991)
David Ross	...	Mr Weller (6 episodes, 1991)
Jimmy Mulville	...	Researcher (6 episodes, 1991)
Stephen Hall	...	Young Michael Murray (6 episodes, 1991)
Bill Stewart	...	Geoff (5 episodes, 1991)
Gareth Tudor Price	...	Richard Grenville (5 episodes, 1991)
Michelle Atkinson	...	Young Barbara (5 episodes, 1991)
John Henshaw	...	Minder 1 (4 episodes, 1991)
Al Brierley	...	Minder 2 (4 episodes, 1991)
Sean Naughton	...	Minder 3 (4 episodes, 1991)
Paul Butterworth	...	Terry - Director of Education (4 episodes, 1991)
Ayesa Toure	...	Monica (4 episodes, 1991)
Julia St. John	...	Diane Niarchos (4 episodes, 1991)
Colin Douglas	...	Frank Twist (4 episodes, 1991)
Clifford Rose	...	Judge Critchley (4 episodes, 1991)
Ian Hartley	...	Joel (4 episodes, 1991)
Christopher Halliday	...	McKenzie (4 episodes, 1991)
Daniel Massey	...	Grosvenor (3 episodes, 1991)
Judith Barker	...	Margie (3 episodes, 1991)
Kelvin Jordon	...	Tommy (3 episodes, 1991)
Paula Bartlett	...	Rachel (3 episodes, 1991)
Michael Fernandez	...	Jake (3 episodes, 1991)
Debra Gillett	...	Sylvia (3 episodes, 1991)
John Shrapnel	...	Dr Jacobs (3 episodes, 1991)
Norman Mills	...	Red Neck Councillor (3 episodes, 1991)
Peter Armitage	...	Mr Burns (3 episodes, 1991)
Arthur Spreckley	...	Grandfather Burns (3 episodes, 1991)
Jean Anderson	...	Dr. Goldup (3 episodes, 1991)
Rachel Laurence	...	Hotel Receptionist (3 episodes, 1991)
Jake Abraham	...	Black Waiter (3 episodes, 1991)
William Franklyn	...	Distinguished Gent (3 episodes, 1991)
Noreen Kershaw	...	Maureen Murray (3 episodes, 1991)
Jim Pope	...	Presenter (3 episodes, 1991)
Daniel Street-Brown	...	Robby Burns (2 episodes, 1991)
Serena Harragin	...	Miss Hutchinson (2 episodes, 1991)
Chris Darwin	...	Barry (2 episodes, 1991)
Ken Kitson	...	Vince (2 episodes, 1991)
James Tomlinson	...	Stan (2 episodes, 1991)
Amanda Mealing	...	Beth (2 episodes, 1991)
Dee Orr	...	Schoolmistress (2 episodes, 1991)
Cliff Howells	...	Cartwright / ... (2 episodes, 1991)
Anthony Benson	...	Norman - Treasurer (2 episodes, 1991)
Phil Rowlands	...	Bluff Policeman (2 episodes, 1991)
Kulvinder Ghir	...	Ravi (2 episodes, 1991)
Ray Emmet Brown	...	West Indian (2 episodes, 1991)
David Scase	...	Caretaker 2 (2 episodes, 1991)
Edward Clayton	...	Chief Constable (2 episodes, 1991)
Peter Faulkner	...	Radio Journalist (2 episodes, 1991)

Runtime:

567 min (7 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:15

Filming Locations:

Fleetwood, Lancashire, England, UK

Company:

Channel 4 Television Corporation

Trivia:

The title "GBH" is never properly explained. In normal parlance, the initials "GBH" refer to the criminal charge of Grievous Bodily Harm (ie beating someone up). However Alan Bleasdale hinted that in this case, they might stand for "Great British Holiday".

Quotes:

[a Doctor Who convention is taking place in the hotel. A man dressed as a Dalek is following a woman dressed as Doctor Who's assistant Jo Grant towards her bedroom]
Dalek: [Dalek voice] Foooooooooornicate! Foooooooooornicate!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Extras: Jonathan Ross (#2.6)" (2006)

The very best of British

This is British drama at it's ultimate. There has been little to touch it since it's release. Bleasedale's script is full of twists and turns taking you from outright hatred and revulsion of the main characters through pity, sympathy and finally on to adoration.

The story is truly mesmerising, on the face of it a plain story of extreme left-wing politics in local government. So very typical of the late 70's and early 80's Britain and led to the phrase "Loony Left".

As the story progresses we learn that not all is quite what it seems. Michael Murray (Robert Linsay) is shown to be just as much of a pawn of the system, as the wretched Jim Nelson (Michael Palin) who he tries to take down in the first few episodes.

The acting is powerful, and way beyond what is expected of a TV drama. Look out for many of Bleasedale's favourite actors throughout the story.

Sadly this was one of the last real dramas produced and funded by UK Channel 4 before they were forced by the UK government to produce more 'popular' programming. A move that eventually forced C4 from becoming the major source of funding for British film, into nothing more than a proud sponsor.