American Film Theatre company gave original stage director Lindsay Anderson the eagerly grabbed opportunity to re-create his London Royal Court theatre production. Alan Bates gives an outstanding performance as waspish, cynical miner's son Andrew Shaw, who's visiting his parents (Bill Owen, Constance Chapman) on their 40th wedding celebration. Never mind the staginess, feel the rare quality of the emotionally-searing dialogue and the spot-on acting. James Bolam and Brian Cox, fine players both, give equally impressive turns as Bates' brothers, but it's Owen and Chapman who etch themselves into the memory as the bewildered parents, ageing and frustrated at being cut off from their kids by a cultural as well as generational divide.


©ipc tx. Film content from TVTimes