When The Boat Comes In - The Complete Series (Box Set) (DVD)

...the mid 1970’s, which is when I first watched it, it is set immediately following the First World War.

There are four series. A Total of 42.5 hours of very excellent TV.
You get all this for £49.99 from Amazon, or £56.99 at Play.com.
When I bought it cost about £120.
I think this would make a great present for anyone over 50.
Though I think younger people would get a great deal out of watching it. It shows how ...
...sort of honary son. Though when his romance with Jessie ends acrimoniously as Jack has got his best friend’s sister pregnant the family take against him for a while.
One of the most influential men in Jack’s life is Horatio Manners, this is the father of Jack’s captain in the army. The captain had died in Jack’s arms and he uses this to get in favour with Manners, who offers him a job. He turns this down when he marries Dolly sister to Matt, ... more

Written by James Mitchell, this is one of the best adaptations of a book I have ever watched. It is interesting, gripping, witty and poignant all at the same time.
Made in the mid 1970’s, which is when I first watched it, it is set immediately following the First World War.

There are four series. A Total of 42.5 hours of very excellent TV.
You get all this for £49.99 from Amazon, or £56.99 at Play.com.
When I bought it cost about £120.
I think this would make a great present for anyone over 50.
Though I think younger people would get a great deal out of watching it. It shows how many people struggled to survive at this time, food being the most important consideration day by day not whether you have the most up to date phone.
The stars are James Bolam, Susan Jameson (you might recognise this husband and wife team from New Tricks), James Garbutt, Jean Heywood, John Nightingale, Michelle Newell, Edward Wilson, Malcolm Terris, Madeleine Newton, Basil Henson, Judi Lamb, Lesley-Anne Down, John Collins & Geoffrey Rose.
Other Characters are introduced in later series.
Ex Sergeant Jack Ford returns to Gallowsheilds on Tyneside after being demobbed from the army at the end of the war.
There is mass unemployment at a time of economic depression, work is hard to come by with so many men returning from the front, but Jack seems to have money in his pocket. We find out later Jack acquired his money in Russia, a detour he did on his way home. This money is not going to be used for living or getting by on; it is to be used to help Jack get ahead.
He meets the Seaton family, Tom, his fiancée Mary, his sister Jessie, his brother Billy,
Mother Bella, father Bill. He becomes a sort of honary son. Though when his romance with Jessie ends acrimoniously as Jack has got his best friend’s sister pregnant the family take against him for a while.
One of the most influential men in Jack’s life is Horatio Manners, this is the father of Jack’s captain in the army. The captain had died in Jack’s arms and he uses this to get in favour with Manners, who offers him a job. He turns this down when he marries Dolly sister to Matt, Jack’s friend and army buddy.
Instead he becomes District Secretary for the Fitters Union
Sadly Dolly loses the baby and is unable to conceive again, whilst Jack is not bothered Dolly fights depression until she leaves Jack to be with Tom Seaton, his wife had died and left him with a child to raise. She becomes a parlour maid and he a gardner at a posh house owned by the father of a lady Jack has an affair with.
Jessie marries the headmaster of the school where she teaches, they have a son.
Other stuff happens but I don’t want spoil it for you, there has to be some surprises.
I feel the next section of story is weak. Jack heads for the states, he gets involved with illegal alcohol, mafia types then heads home broke.
He doesn’t stay down for long though.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, still do as I watch it regularly.
Oh! The title Have a little fishy on a little dishy is the theme song.

 

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