Episode cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Gary Oldman | ... | Bex Bissell | |
Lesley Manville | ... | Sue | |
Phil Davis | ... | Yeti (as Philip Davis) | |
Andrew Wilde | ... | Oboe | |
Charles Lawson | ... | Trigg | |
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William Vanderpuye | ... | Aitch |
Jay Simpson | ... | Dominic | |
Patrick Murray | ... | Nunk | |
Robbie Gee | ... | Snowy | |
Terry Sue-Patt | ... | Yusef (as Terry Sue Patt) | |
Nick Dunning | ... | Simon | |
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Nicholas Hewetson | ... | Beef |
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Steve McFadden | ... | Billy |
Steve Sweeney | ... | J.T | |
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Hepburn Graham | ... | Stu |
This is the story of rival "Firms" of football supporters, and how one man has a wish to team them up for the European Championships of 1988. However, when this is discussed, the opposing leaders are not happy, as they believe this is a challenge to their authority. This Film shows how football violence has progressed from pure violence to a form of organized crime, to the extent that all the leaders know each others home phone / mobile phone numbers. Written by Darren Alexander <Darren@lerman.ftech.co.uk>
Firstly, I'd like to say that the first two reviewers for this film have completely missed the point. I could easily take their reviews apart.
This film is as true as can be to portray how the hooligan had evolved from the 70's. The culture had swiftly moved onto the lower-middle classes by the 1980's. No longer did they need to be "Skinheads" or "Working class scum" who used the movement as a means to protest against the state.
In order for the hooligans to survive they had to become more intelligent and more cunning to outwit the police. The football shirts were put in one draw and the suits and cotton shirts were pulled out of another - the element of disguise.
Gary Oldman is Bex, the hilarious yet psychotic estate agent who has one goal - to be top boy in Europe. Along with his crew, The ICC, Bex puts it to two other rival firms that he wishes to lead them all into Europe...but they're having none of it. They let him know that the only way he will get that position is if his best ten can beat theirs.
As well as trying to keep him marriage together Bex battles his way to becoming "top boy"...but does he actually succeed? Alan Clarke's films are always witty, gritty and as realistic as they can get. Its a shame the man made only one more film before being taken from this world (cancer) in 1990.
More realistic than "Football Factory" and "I.D", its highly recommended you watch this Made-For-TV classic.