G.B.H. (1991– )

Michael Murray is an ambitious and charismatic politician, Jim Nelson is a much loved headmaster of a local school for disturbed children. When the paths of these two men cross, things are ... See full summary »

Stars:

Robert Lindsay, Michael Palin, Dearbhla Molloy

5 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
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)

Storyline

Michael Murray is an ambitious and charismatic politician, Jim Nelson is a much loved headmaster of a local school for disturbed children. When the paths of these two men cross, things are destined never to be the same again.

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Plot Keywords:

school | headmaster | nudity | politics | entire title is capitalized acronym | 

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Taglines:

A savage indictment of power.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 June 1991 (UK)

Also Known As:

Alan Bleasdale's G.B.H.

Filming Locations:

Fleetwood, Lancashire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel 4 Television Corporation, GBH Films Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

567 min 567 min (7 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although no name is given to the fictional city in which GBH is set, it was filmed largely in and around Greater Manchester. However, speculation that the city is intended to be Liverpool stems from the fact that the character of Michael Murray is a thinly veiled characterization of Derek Hatton, the former Labour deputy leader of Liverpool City Council. Hatton achieved notoriety in the 1980s when he refused to co-operate with the rate-capping policy of the Conservative government and was a strong follower of Trotskyist Militant Tendencies. Hatton was expelled from the Labour Party in 1986, and in 1993 he was accused of corruption during his time as Deputy Leader of the Council. He was brought to trial but was exonerated.

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Quotes

Michael Murray: No clothes have you got on.

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Connections

Referenced in Extras: Jonathan Ross (2006)

User Reviews

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.