Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Alan Bates | ... | Vic | |
Thora Hird | ... | Mrs. Rothwell | |
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Bert Palmer | ... | Mr. Geoffrey Brown |
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Pat Keen | ... | Christine Harris |
James Bolam | ... | Jeff | |
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Jack Smethurst | ... | Conroy |
Gwen Nelson | ... | Mrs. Brown | |
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John Ronane | ... | Draughtsman |
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David Mahlowe | ... | David Harris |
Patsy Rowlands | ... | Dorothy | |
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Michael Deacon | ... | Les |
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Annette Robertson | ... | Phoebe |
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Fred Ferris | ... | Althorpe |
Leonard Rossiter | ... | Whymper | |
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Malcolm Patton | ... | Jim Brown |
A young man, inching his way up from working-class traditions via a white-collar job, finds himself trapped by the frightening reality of his girlfriend's pregnancy and is forced into marrying her and moving in with his mother-in-law due to a housing shortage in their Northern England town. Written by alfiehitchie
This film reflects on how social and economic pressures impact on sexuality and relationships. Class, politics, working life, changing attitudes about gender and marriage, and even scarcity of cheap housing are all referred to or explored. Against the wider social backdrop the character of Ingrid's mother represents repression and rigidity to a large degree, although even she is shown with some saving graces. All the characters here are cast in shades of grey, all internally conflicted, all in a cauldron of social pressures. The film ends with the maturing of the main characters, and also with a note of hope. An excellent script, excellently directed and acted, and a brilliant evocation of another era.