Boys From The Black Stuff (DVD)

Boys from the Black stuff,
Written by Alan Bleasdale,
Directed by Philip Saville

This black comedy drama, first hit our screens in the late seventies, I had a few lasting memories of it, so when I saw it for hire from my on line hire company I soon sent for them, three Discs produced by the BBC showing all five episodes.

It's a tale of working class people, struggling to make ends meet in the 80's, the ...
...out by the Boss, the boys are left to lick their wounds and a life on the dole.

The story of what happens next to them breaks down into individual stories,

Jobs for the Boys
They take a job on a building site whilst still claiming unemployment benefit. But soon attract the attention of the authorities, and the boys have to duck and dive their way out of trouble.

Moonlighter,
Following Dixie ... more

Boys from the Black stuff,
Written by Alan Bleasdale,
Directed by Philip Saville

This black comedy drama, first hit our screens in the late seventies, I had a few lasting memories of it, so when I saw it for hire from my on line hire company I soon sent for them, three Discs produced by the BBC showing all five episodes.

It's a tale of working class people, struggling to make ends meet in the 80's, the days of strikes, and high unemployment. And Margret Thatcher.

The main characters, are Dixie Deans (the foreman) Pigeon mad Chrissie Todd, Loggo, if it isn't tied down he'll steal it, George Malone the old man of the gang, and who can forget the crazy Gizza job Yosser Hughes, All make up a gang of tarmac laying rogues from Liverpool.

All though they all work for a contractor McKenna, they decide to do a bit of moonlighting to make a few extra pounds, this soon spells the beginning of the end for the lads, stitched up by a Gypsy then caught out by the Boss, the boys are left to lick their wounds and a life on the dole.

The story of what happens next to them breaks down into individual stories,

Jobs for the Boys
They take a job on a building site whilst still claiming unemployment benefit. But soon attract the attention of the authorities, and the boys have to duck and dive their way out of trouble.

Moonlighter,
Following Dixie Dean in his new job as a security guard at Liverpool docks, who becomes involved in dodgy dealings , and accepting bribes.

Shop Thy Neighbour .
Whilst claiming unemployment benefit Chrissie and his wife attract the attentions of the benefit fraud officers .

Yosser's story,
Yosser, really struggles with being unemployed, both through lack of money and mentally, with the worry of losing his kids, Yosser sets out looking for work, but as his mental health disintegrates, he has a most unorthodox method of asking, coining a much used phrase at the time, Gizza Job I can do that.
This episode, includes a cameo role played by Liverpool football legend Graeme Souness.

George's Last Ride,
As George nears death, and helped by Chrissie, he reminisces of younger days, as an active communist, and his look at how he thought life should be, and how he had to adapt, to the changing times.

Although comical at times, the Boys from the Black Stuff, shows the social history of plights and struggles of the working man, during a time of political unrest and high unemployment, some quite graphic violence, and bad language make this 15+ rated.

306 minutes of some superb viewing and great acting, the likes of we probably will never see again, and I highly recommend this collection of DVD's.

 

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