Clay (2008) (TV)

User Rating:

4.2/10   

Director:

Andrew Gunn

Writers:

David Almond (novel)
Peter Tabern (screenplay)

Release Date:

30 March 2008 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Adaptation of the book by David Almond, set in 1960s Tyneside. Two 14-year-old boys team up against Mouldy...

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel

Cast

Harry McEntire	...	Davie
Niek Versteeg	...	Geordie
Darren Howie	...	Martin Mould
Ian McElhinney	...	Father O'Mahoney
Phillippa Wilson	...	Carol Hagen
Joe Caffrey	...	Dennis Hagen
Sacha Parkinson	...	Maria
Imelda Staunton	...	Mary Doonan
Natalie Hall	...	Frances
Ben Davies	...	Stephen Rose
Tom Goodman-Hill	...	Mr Parker
Charlotte-Joy Reed	...	Mona Duffy
Nicky McEvoy	...	Jimmy Kay
Alan Renwick	...	Park keeper
Jack Traynor	...	Poke

Runtime:

UK:90 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (hd) | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Filming Locations:

Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, UK

Company:

Childsplay Productions

unexpected delight - brilliant!!!

I caught this drama unexpectedly, I think on Sunday afternoon, on TV over Easter. I was bowled over by the quality of the story and atmosphere, as well as the young performances, and wondered why it hadn't had more publicity raving about it, and why it appeared to be hidden away in the schedules. It shouldn't have been! CLAY was wonderfully evocative of both Frankenstein and Jewish legend of The Golem of Prague, yet never fell back on the tired "with one bound" dramatic cheats that afflict other TV fantasy shows (e.g. Doctor Who!). It also had a Biblical subtext that was never explicit. I don't know the book it was based upon, but I look forward to more work from the screenwriter, and the director.