I haven't seen this in many many moons but I'd give my eye teeth for another viewing! What I remember most about this production is the scene in which the Orangeman beckons the old guy to his window then punches him through the glass! I remember being shocked and repulsed as a child watching that scene. In retrospect, perhaps that's a good thing! I certainly don't support those tactics as an adult! Could this be why? Another scene that comes to mind is the one in which Jon Morrison discovers that the projectile he's been hit with is, well... something more likely to be found on the sole of your shoe than on your shoulder! All in all, excellent viewing, and the sequel was just as good if I recall correctly!
3 Reviews
Great stuff
gilso685 November 2006
Warning: Spoilers
This has got to be one of the best done Scottish dramas of all time, Its the story of a young lad who likes the idea of being the big man bigot but when it comes to the crunch he just becomes appalled by it all, He loves the music & the dancing but its the booze & the fighting that gets him down, Some of the acting is a joy to watch (just listen to Billy Connelly's joke about the woman who kills her husband !!) The only problem is that the program shows all that is bad with Glasgow & the West of Scotland, The sad fact is that although this drama was filmed in 1974 the Protestant/Catholic divide is as bad as ever & i don't think it will ever get better.
''I wouldn't give you the pickings from my nose even if you were starving!''
Rabical-912 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Peter MacDougall's first contribution to the 'Play For Today' strand made it to the screen in 1975 ( although was meant to be screened years earlier but was postponed due to its sensitive subject matter ). Jon Morrison was cast as the naive and young John McNeil, a young Glaswegian gentleman who has joined the Orange order. Despite the age of the film, it is still a joy to watch and for one very good reason, the religious matter portrayed here still rings true. I have worked in sports bars and have broken up many a fight and debate about Sectarianism.
John looks forward to his first day on the march. His mother Lizzie is none too pleased about the whole thing, especially when he insists on walking to the bus stop with his Orange sash on show.
However, during a march in Edinburgh, young John sees the whole order and its people in all their true colours ( and I don't mean orange! ). With fear for his safety, It is then John starts to question the whole point of the faith.
Jon Morrison is impressive as John, as are the rest of the cast such as Bill Henderson, Eileen McCallum, Ken Hutchinson and Phil McCall and though not normally the world's biggest fan of Billy Connolly, one does have to give him credit for his straight performance here. Despite some humorous dialogue, 'Just Another Saturday' is certainly no comedy. The scenes involving riots between Catholic residents and the Orange band are truly graphic, especially with a scene in which an elderly man is punched through a window by the leader of the band.
Incidentally, the location shooting in Edinburgh brought back many memories for myself. Some scenes were shot in the Edinburgh area of Newhaven, which is not far from where I grew up.
On a nostalgic note, it was a lovely sight seeing the old Leyland Atlantean buses on the roads in this film. It's a little known fact to readers of my reviews that I am a vintage bus enthusiast ( though not the type that stands at bus stops and garages writing everything down in my little notebook! ).
Peter McDougall later pitched Jon Morrison and Billy Connolly together in another 'Play For Today' edition - 'The Elephant's Graveyard', whilst Ken Henderson would later appear in McDougall's third ( and best ) 'Play For Today' entry 'Just A Boy's Game'.
John looks forward to his first day on the march. His mother Lizzie is none too pleased about the whole thing, especially when he insists on walking to the bus stop with his Orange sash on show.
However, during a march in Edinburgh, young John sees the whole order and its people in all their true colours ( and I don't mean orange! ). With fear for his safety, It is then John starts to question the whole point of the faith.
Jon Morrison is impressive as John, as are the rest of the cast such as Bill Henderson, Eileen McCallum, Ken Hutchinson and Phil McCall and though not normally the world's biggest fan of Billy Connolly, one does have to give him credit for his straight performance here. Despite some humorous dialogue, 'Just Another Saturday' is certainly no comedy. The scenes involving riots between Catholic residents and the Orange band are truly graphic, especially with a scene in which an elderly man is punched through a window by the leader of the band.
Incidentally, the location shooting in Edinburgh brought back many memories for myself. Some scenes were shot in the Edinburgh area of Newhaven, which is not far from where I grew up.
On a nostalgic note, it was a lovely sight seeing the old Leyland Atlantean buses on the roads in this film. It's a little known fact to readers of my reviews that I am a vintage bus enthusiast ( though not the type that stands at bus stops and garages writing everything down in my little notebook! ).
Peter McDougall later pitched Jon Morrison and Billy Connolly together in another 'Play For Today' edition - 'The Elephant's Graveyard', whilst Ken Henderson would later appear in McDougall's third ( and best ) 'Play For Today' entry 'Just A Boy's Game'.
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