❉ Simply Media are releasing three films from BBC’s Play for Today series on DVD, showcasing some of the best British actors and writers: Our Day Out, The Imitation Game and The Fishing Party.
“One of the most famous and influential of all play strands, Play for Today (BBC, 1970-84) demonstrated single drama’s potential to engage mass audiences with social comment and artistic experimentation.” – BFI Screenonline
Due to audience demand, Simply Media are delighted to release three iconic films from BBC’s Play for Today series, on DVD 1st October 2018.
Shown on BBC One from 1970-1984 and showcasing some of the best British actors and writers, films included Abigail’s Party and Boys from the Blackstuff.
Our Day Out, The Imitation Game and The Fishing Party, the latest to be released on DVD, are known for their outstanding casts and fascinating storylines.
PLAY OF THE WEEK: OUR DAY OUT
“A gloriously funny and touching play.” Guardian
An anarchic, bittersweet comedy drama from Oscar-nominee Willy Russell, creator of Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine.
Directed by BAFTA-winner Pedr James (Our Friends in the North) and produced by David Rose (Z Cars).
A hilarious and chaotic romp about a group of inner-city Liverpool schoolchildren let off the leash for a day’s outing. Different teaching approaches clash when the compassionate Mrs Kay (Jean Heywood – Billy Elliot) and disciplinarian Mr Briggs (Alun Armstrong – Get Carter) attempt to supervise.
Stopping at a cafe, a zoo, the beach and a funfair, the children take every opportunity to cause havoc. This tender comedy draws on Willy Russell’s own experiences of school trips as both pupil and teacher.
Originally broadcast in 1977, it was later adapted as a stage musical and still features today as a popular school text.
❉ ‘Our Day Out’ on DVD 1st October 2018. RRP: £12.99/ Certificate: 12 /Run Time: 70 mins approx. on 1 disc
PLAY FOR TODAY: THE IMITATION GAME
“A Play for Today of rare distinction” – Clive James
First shown in 1980. Bestselling writer Ian McEwan (The Children Act) wrote this impassioned drama, inspired by stories of women who helped to crack the Enigma Code during WWII.
Directed / produced by BAFTA-nominee Richard Eyre (Notes on a Scandal).
Starring Harriet Walter (Sense and Sensibility/The Sense of an Ending) in her first major screen role alongside Oscar-nominee Brenda Blethyn (Vera) and BAFTA-nominee Patricia Routledge (Keeping Up Appearances).
19-year-old Cathy Raine (Harriet Walter) lives in 1940’s Frinton on Sea, expected to spend the war working at the local munitions factory. Against the wishes of her family she signs up for the Auxiliary Territorial Service.
There she befriends working-class Mary (Brenda Blethyn) and moves to the code-breaking centre at Bletchley Park where Cathy meets Turing-like mathematics don John Turner (Nicholas Le Provost). But Cathy is being kept in the dark by the secretive male hierarchy – until she stumbles upon a secret intelligence file that may jeopardise her safety.
❉ ‘The Imitation Game’ on DVD 1st October 2018. RRP: £12.99/ Certificate: 12 /Run Time: 92 mins approx. on 1 disc
PLAY FOR TODAY: THE FISHING PARTY
“A joyous comedy… overflowing with brilliant observation and wonderfully circular dialogue.” – TV Cream
Crown Court creator Peter Terson’s comedy of class and manners, first shown in 1972. Directed by BAFTA-winner Michael Simpson (Prince Regent).
Derbyshire miners Art (Brian Glover), Ern (Ray Mort) and Abe (Douglas Livingstone) head north to Whitby for a boys-only fishing escape.
Checking into a shabby B&B run by haughty landlady Audrey (Jane Freeman – Last of the Summer Wine) and her henpecked hubby, the trio are bamboozled into paying a high price for their rooms.
Their boat is piloted by a stern ex-fisherman, who warns them about mixing chips and brown ale on choppy waters. The boys are half-cut before they leave the harbour, and as they head out to sea they’re decidedly off-colour.
❉ ‘The Fishing Party’ on DVD 1st October 2018. RRP: £12.99/ Certificate: 12 /Run Time: 57 mins approx. on 1 disc.
❉ News source: Simply Media.
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