The Terence Davies Trilogy (1983)

Davies' film is divided into three segments enitled "Children", "Madonna and Child", and "Death and Transfiguartion". The segments tell the life of Robert Tucker. The first segment looks at... See full summary »

Director:

Terence Davies

Writer:

Terence Davies

Stars:

Phillip Mawdsley, Nick Stringer, Valerie Lilley

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Phillip Mawdsley	...	Tucker (as a boy)
Nick Stringer	...	Robert's Father
Valerie Lilley	...	Robert's Mother (as Val Lilley)
Robin Hooper	...	Robert (as young man)
Colin Hignet	...	Bully (as Colin Hignett)
Robin Bowen	...	Bully 2
Harry Wright	...	First Teacher
Phillip Joseph	...	Second Teacher
Trevor Eve	...	Man in Shower
Linda Beckett	...	Neighbour
Bill Maxwell
Elizabeth Estensen	...	Nurse
Malcolm Hughes	...	Man in Bedroom
Kate Fahy	...	Neighbour (as Katherine Fahey)
Marjorie Rowlandson	...	Neighbour

Storyline

Davies' film is divided into three segments enitled "Children", "Madonna and Child", and "Death and Transfiguartion". The segments tell the life of Robert Tucker. The first segment looks at his birth and formative years in school, an austere boy's school. The bleak environment is not aided by loveless, violent homelife he experiences. Nonetheless, his father's death is a major impact to him. In the second segment, he is a closeted homosexual working in a grim office and still living at home with his daunting mother. In the final segment, he deals with his mother's death and then faces his own impending doom. As his death approaches he flashes back to his life's events.

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Plot Keywords:

closeted homosexual | gay interest | domestic abuse | loss of father | loss of mother

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 February 1984 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Terence Davies Trilogien

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Film Institute (BFI), Greater London Arts Association, National Film and Television School (NFTS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Connections

Edited from Madonna and Child (1984)

User Reviews

An Amazing Director and Poignant film.

I just watched these 3 short films last night.

I must say, It's quite eerie to have images of the film stick to your mind even though it was shot in black and white. I felt something at the end of the trilogy or the last scene which I've never seen before in any cinematic movie. The directors commentary stated that it was short in one take. It was beautiful yet intimidating and well eye opening.

You should definitely find this in your library there.

Since the dialog is limited, the most powerful line was in the last short film when the child was asked by the nun, "do you love god?" to which the boy replied "yes I do". It was a case of brain washed Catholicism where the child or children could not even say, "I don't know" in fear that turning against an unknowing God might bring down some unearthly punishment.

I loved it and has given me respect for more independent film makers like Davies.