Boys from the Blackstuff or Auf Wiedershien Pet.... ?
Discussion
Not comparable programmes in my opinion. Blackstuff was properly hard hitting biting social commentary, reduced me to tears, Auf Weidershiein was much lighter. I remember my Papa watching it with me and commenting that it was as well Jimmy Nail had become an actor cos he couldn't lay bricks!!
J4CKO said:
AWP is ace, never seen boys from the black stuff but will give it a go.
AWP got sequels it didn’t need, first two series are perfect and it was nice to revisit the characters but the results were disappointing after the magic the first two series were.
The first two series’ were never going to be topped, but I thought it was a great job done of the later series’ given the amount of time between series 2 and series 3. Getting so many of the original cast back together made that possible.AWP got sequels it didn’t need, first two series are perfect and it was nice to revisit the characters but the results were disappointing after the magic the first two series were.
The biggest downside to the later series’ was only 6 episodes, instead of 13. Series 3 with the bridge especially would have been that much better with more episodes to develop the story. It took quite a while to really get to the business end of the story, then it felt like a lot of things had to be rushed.
DDg said:
AWP wss funny but I don't remember it being anything like as heavy hitting as BFTBS - massive pathos and social commentary.
"I'm desperate father"
"Call me Dan"
"I'm desperate Dan"
Alan Bleasdale's up with Steinbeck imo.
Have to agree. While BFTBS had its funny moments, it was a pretty real story about a bleak and dark time for Liverpool. It's such a long time since I saw it!"I'm desperate father"
"Call me Dan"
"I'm desperate Dan"
Alan Bleasdale's up with Steinbeck imo.
Edited by DDg on Friday 28th May 23:32
While there were elements the of hardship of the times in Newcastle in the set-up of AWP, it was much more about the antics of the misfits once they got onto the site in Germany - probably more entertaining, but not really comparable IMHO.
The AWP sequels didn't really hold my attention - I started watching them, but I don't think I finished either TBH. They seemed a little contrived, as sequels often are.
Frankthered said:
Have to agree. While BFTBS had its funny moments, it was a pretty real story about a bleak and dark time for Liverpool. It's such a long time since I saw it!
While there were elements the of hardship of the times in Newcastle in the set-up of AWP, it was much more about the antics of the misfits once they got onto the site in Germany - probably more entertaining, but not really comparable IMHO.
The AWP sequels didn't really hold my attention - I started watching them, but I don't think I finished either TBH. They seemed a little contrived, as sequels often are.
If you want a real view of Liverpool l life in the 1980s with an additional twist into mental health issues * then boys from.the black stuff is pretty much all there. I bought the DVD box set about 5 years ago in a Inc closing down sale and it was a far grimmer series than I remember watching as a 15 year old. While there were elements the of hardship of the times in Newcastle in the set-up of AWP, it was much more about the antics of the misfits once they got onto the site in Germany - probably more entertaining, but not really comparable IMHO.
The AWP sequels didn't really hold my attention - I started watching them, but I don't think I finished either TBH. They seemed a little contrived, as sequels often are.
- Youser Hughes is remembered for the "i can do that, how hard can it be? Giz a job" lines, but he was a d3seperate man going over the edge.
It shows a knackered transit van driving down the dock road, down the strand, past the am very dock area, past where Liverpool one shopping centre has been built and the Hilton Hotel, which was all pretty much a derelict bomb site. How things have changed in 40 years.
The poverty is still hidden by local culture of all fur coat and no knickers, though.
One of the episodes paints out the travelling community to be a bunch of thieving low level scum, so i imagine that it will be banned soon.
AWP was a lightheaerted comedy in comparison.
Auf Pet was, in my opinion, the best UK comedy drama ever made. I've watched the first 2 series several times to the point where I can recite the script !
Obviously, only series 1 and 2, as series 3 was bilge and I've never managed to bring myself to watch series 4.
"What does it mean ?"
"It means your wall's not plumb !"
Obviously, only series 1 and 2, as series 3 was bilge and I've never managed to bring myself to watch series 4.
"What does it mean ?"
"It means your wall's not plumb !"
Auf Wiedersheun Pet was brilliant, never really tried Boys from the Blackstuff, it looked a bit too Northern grim for me. May have to give it a go though.
A good excuse to post up Gary Holton doing his thing:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qbE0X5mC13A#searchin...
A good excuse to post up Gary Holton doing his thing:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qbE0X5mC13A#searchin...
Have only seen AWP out of these two, but absolutely love it. Always have, always will.
Actually enjoyed series 2 (Thornley Manor / Spanish villa) even more than the original set in Germany. Such a shame that Gary Holton died during the making of it, once you’ve seen it a few times you can clearly see where they’ve re-written certain scenes without him. Watching it is always tinged with a bit of sadness for that reason.
Dick Clement and Ian LeFrenais are great writers with some superb stuff to their names, and for me those first two series of Auf Wiedersehen are simply all time great tv. The later series were decent enough but just not the same.
Actually enjoyed series 2 (Thornley Manor / Spanish villa) even more than the original set in Germany. Such a shame that Gary Holton died during the making of it, once you’ve seen it a few times you can clearly see where they’ve re-written certain scenes without him. Watching it is always tinged with a bit of sadness for that reason.
Dick Clement and Ian LeFrenais are great writers with some superb stuff to their names, and for me those first two series of Auf Wiedersehen are simply all time great tv. The later series were decent enough but just not the same.
Blackstuff for me. As mentioned a powerful record of just how grim Liverpool was. If you only watch one episode make it "George's last ride" An incredible performance from the late Peter Kerrigan as Chrissy takes George on a tour around the Albert Dock. Frustrating and sad in equal measure with George reminiscing about his time when the docks were alive. I can't think of a bad performance from actors who were unknown. " Shake hands..."
Vintagejock said:
Blackstuff for me. As mentioned a powerful record of just how grim Liverpool was. If you only watch one episode make it "George's last ride" An incredible performance from the late Peter Kerrigan as Chrissy takes George on a tour around the Albert Dock. Frustrating and sad in equal measure with George reminiscing about his time when the docks were alive. I can't think of a bad performance from actors who were unknown. " Shake hands..."
Agreed. Two completely different programmes. Blackstuff could've been set in a few northern cities at the time. Yossers story is absolutely superb imo, closely followed by George's last ride, last scene in The Green Man says it all.Pint of bitter boss.
DDg said:
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7fce4j is the episode with Georges last ride
I'm sure there was a lot on YouTube but they seem to have been removed - wonder if Britbox has taken them?
Cheers - that's tomorrow sorted. Over-riding memory is the pub scene at the end of one episode( Giz a job?) with the Liverpool handshake given very nonchalantly.I'm sure there was a lot on YouTube but they seem to have been removed - wonder if Britbox has taken them?
Many thanks.
Auf, every time.
Except that...Sorry for the diversion, but I'd be putting "Our Friends in The North" up against "Black Stuff". Nothing wrong with Auf Wiedersehn, but isn't that comparison ultimately, politically edged comedy vs hard hitting political drama? OFITN vs BFTBS would be 2 out & out dramas. Works as a north east vs north west thing too.
My vote would be Our Friends. Biased I know, growing up in the North East around the time of the T Dan Smith, Scotswood Road tower blocks scandal, but I'd say the Daniel Craig "Don't Look Back in Anger" scene, is up there with the Breaking Bad "You know who I am. Say. My. Name".
All three are amongst the best of british TV, but...
Chs, CF
Except that...Sorry for the diversion, but I'd be putting "Our Friends in The North" up against "Black Stuff". Nothing wrong with Auf Wiedersehn, but isn't that comparison ultimately, politically edged comedy vs hard hitting political drama? OFITN vs BFTBS would be 2 out & out dramas. Works as a north east vs north west thing too.
My vote would be Our Friends. Biased I know, growing up in the North East around the time of the T Dan Smith, Scotswood Road tower blocks scandal, but I'd say the Daniel Craig "Don't Look Back in Anger" scene, is up there with the Breaking Bad "You know who I am. Say. My. Name".
All three are amongst the best of british TV, but...
Chs, CF
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