Up the Junction (1968)

Addresses some of the major 60s social issues - a bored rich London-girl from Chelsea decides to go "slumming" in depressed Battersea, getting a flat and starts factory-work and makes friends... of which one has to get an illegal abortion.

Director:

Peter Collinson

Writers:

Roger Smith (screenplay), Nell Dunn (adapted from the book by)

Stars:

Suzy Kendall, Dennis Waterman, Maureen Lipman

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Suzy Kendall	...	Polly
Dennis Waterman	...	Pete
Maureen Lipman	...	Sylvie
Adrienne Posta	...	Rube
Liz Fraser	...	Mrs. McCarthy
Linda Cole	...	Pauline
Doreen Herrington	...	Rita
Jessie Robins	...	Lil
Barbara Archer	...	May
Ruby Head	...	Edith
Susan George	...	Joyce
Sandra Williams	...	Sheilah
Michael Robbins	...	Figgins
Michael Gothard	...	Terry
Billy Murray	...	Ray

Storyline

Movie version of the BBC TV play that first addresses some of the major social issues of the day. A girl from a rich family in Chelsea is bored and decides to go "slumming" in depressed Battersea. She gets a flat and starts working in a factory and makes some friends there. One of her friends is pregnant but abortion is illegal ...

---

Plot Keywords:

abortion | bare chested male | class differences | remake | independent film | 

---

Taglines:

Make people happy with your money. Spend it.

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lulu turned down the role of Rube.

---

Goofs

When Sylvie and Rube are singing in the pub, there are many cutaways which show the pub customers joining in the songs. On most of these, a large piece of dirt is visible at the top of the frame. Someone didn't perform the obligatory "hair in the gate" check before loading the film.

---

Connections

Remake of The Wednesday Play: Up the Junction (1965)

---

Soundtracks

Walking Round
Written by Mike Hugg and Manfred Mann

User Reviews

Formative years

This movie had a profound effect on me when I first craned my neck to see it from the front row of the Haymarket cinema in Newcastle upon Tyne. I was sixteen years old and on date with a guy that had a rich father, a triumph spitfire and the personality of deadwood. I fell deeply in love with Suzy Kendall knowing that it should have been Dennis Waterman. I saw this movie every night for two weeks. It captures those times exquisitely, almost painfully. I just need to hear the opening theme to be transported back. The clash of cultures, the poverty on both sides of the class divide. Polly had money but was surrounded by shallowness and snobbery. Her friends up the junction had loyalty, camaraderie and fun, but struggled to survive, scamming their way from pay day to pub, who was the poorer? Manfred Mann's excellent score insinuates it's way into the fabric of the movie, haunting and evocative. Give this one a chance, you won't regret it.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 March 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

Up the Junction

Filming Locations:

Twickenham Studios, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

BHE Films, Crasto

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1