Ah the eighties, glorious on one hand , dark and pretty depressing on the other, depending on which side of the income bracket you settled in. Great piece , very enjoyable reading.
Great write-up Luke. Thank you. Saw the play, at the West End transfer. Think the London theatre was as strong the British film industry during the early 80s, which you rightly pin-point as a golden age. And clearly a close relationship between the two.
I enjoyed this immensely Luke, a wonderful read and spot on I'd say. I absolutely agree with Gavin's comment here, such a contradictory decade depending on which side of the tracks (or football/rugby field) you were frequented. I love the selection of films you mention in your introduction, funnily enough, I just watched The Long Good Friday again last month, I hadn't seen it for years, fabulous.
"At what point did one's youth become part of history?" (from my novel The Hesitant Architect)
It was the oddest of times, so many opposing mindsets at work. But the films were glorious. I am glad you included The Draughts man's Contract. What a unique piece of filmmaking.
Absolutely! That first half of the 80s was an extraordinary time for independent British film-makers. The quality... The second half seems less interesting... it sort of peters out... I may well write about another 80s film in next week's newsletter.
Ah the eighties, glorious on one hand , dark and pretty depressing on the other, depending on which side of the income bracket you settled in. Great piece , very enjoyable reading.
And thank you! Too kind.
I think that's right. I'm trying to get my head around it. Contradictory, spikey, edgy and nostalgic.
Great write-up Luke. Thank you. Saw the play, at the West End transfer. Think the London theatre was as strong the British film industry during the early 80s, which you rightly pin-point as a golden age. And clearly a close relationship between the two.
A lovely post, thank you, Luke. Made me nostalgic for quiffs and eyeliner (on those beautiful young men!)
I enjoyed this immensely Luke, a wonderful read and spot on I'd say. I absolutely agree with Gavin's comment here, such a contradictory decade depending on which side of the tracks (or football/rugby field) you were frequented. I love the selection of films you mention in your introduction, funnily enough, I just watched The Long Good Friday again last month, I hadn't seen it for years, fabulous.
Thank you! The Long Good Friday... now funny you should mention that one...
Cue anxious wait!
Those eighties indeed. What a time we had.
"At what point did one's youth become part of history?" (from my novel The Hesitant Architect)
It was the oddest of times, so many opposing mindsets at work. But the films were glorious. I am glad you included The Draughts man's Contract. What a unique piece of filmmaking.
Absolutely! That first half of the 80s was an extraordinary time for independent British film-makers. The quality... The second half seems less interesting... it sort of peters out... I may well write about another 80s film in next week's newsletter.