MovieChat Forums > Threads (1984) Discussion > Are there any interviews or retrospectiv...

Are there any interviews or retrospectives about this?

posted 8 years ago by CorpseCandle
16 replies | jump to latest

It's a shame that there are no interviews with the actors or crew concerning this film. I have seen the odd talking head about it, Charlie Brooker talking about it on screen wipe and a few clips of breakfast television doing voxpops with the general public about it.

However nothing from the talent involved. It's a great shame that Barry Hines is no longer with us as I am unaware that he did any lengthy interview on Threads.

Unless of course there are some in print that exist somewhere.

[–] tgs333 8 years ago

I read an article online (I think it was on the bbc) that had interviewed mick Jackson and barry hines and some of the actors. It was about 10 years ago. I think it was Mick who said: "I'm a vehemently anti-nuclear, paranoid mess, harbouring a strange obsession with radioactive sheep."

Hence, where I got my signature from.

"I'm a vehemently anti-nuclear, paranoid mess, harbouring a strange obsession with radioactive sheep."

[–] CorpseCandle 8 years ago

I see, I was wondering where that came from. You solved a mystery for me at least :D

[–] JamesConway 8 years ago

The quote "I'm a vehemently anti-nuclear, paranoid mess, harbouring a strange obsession with radioactive sheep." was never utthered by neither Hines nor Jackson.

It is drawn from an online blog by a magazine journalist who himself was in his early teens when he first watched Threads. The blog drew on his memories of watching Threads for the first time and how it affected him as a child and growing up, thus the quote...

Unfortunately, the blog has been taken down as a link that was present on the Wikipedia entry for Threads so I can't find it. The whole article was centred more on the aspects of growing up and the isolation children often feel when exposed to films such as Threads, all published in a very humourous way of course!

As for people talking about 'Threads'...the BBC did a light hearted series looking back with nostalgia on the 1980's. Part of the nostalgia was looking back on the nuclear war threat, and in turn, Threads with talking heads from Hines, Jackson and the actor who played Micheal.

This series was produced in 2000 and broadcast in early 2001 so you have to remember that 15 years have passed but its still a good retrospect.

Fast-forward to 1hr 12m on the YouTube link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFg6OHIRRVs

[–] tgs333 8 years ago

Bloody Hell, that's bloody ridiculous to block a video like that.

"I'm a vehemently anti-nuclear, paranoid mess, harbouring a strange obsession with radioactive sheep."

[–] [deleted] 4 years ago

well the video still accessible in the UK,
but its only a 6 min segment of "I love 1981" with 90s Z listers reminiscing ...

[–] CorpseCandle 8 years ago

Thank you James :D

tgs...here's a hint...take a look at what an online proxy is and how it could help you get to see this video ;)

Not that I am advising you to do anything wrong of course ;)

[–] greg-233 8 years ago

The only time I saw Barry Hines refer to Threads was in the afterword to his novel A Kestrel For A Knave. Hines said:

I once wrote a nuclear war drama for the BBC called Threads. A few weeks after its transmission, I received a letter from a doctoral student in an American University requesting permission to quote from the script. His dissertation was entitled, 'An Available Means: Manifestations of Aristotle's Three Modes of Rhetorical Appeal in Anti-nuclear Fiction'. I would have awarded him a doctorate for the title!

That afterword was written in 1999.

[–] znapper 8 years ago

Only saw a comparison between this and TDA, not from any of the involved though, but interesting discussion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFwbDd4lEa8

[–] Fourminutewarning 8 years ago

I have the book Nuclear Paranoia (Pocket Essentials). There is a chapter in it on Threads with some quotes by Barry Hines and Karen Meagher. It's not a long book but it's worth a read for anyone interested in nuclear war.

[–] znapper 8 years ago

Some say this is the prelude to threads: http://youtu.be/milbW4RDIco

[–] znapper 8 years ago

News-articles with some interviews and comments:

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/what-s-on/theatre/when-sheffield-saw-a-nuclear-holocaust-1-6861065

http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/end-of-the-world-revisited-bbc-s-threads-is-25-years-old-1-773083

[–] JamesConway 7 years ago

Not sure how this has fell through the cracks, but BBC Radio Sheffield produced a 60 minute retrospect on the making of 'Threads' to celebrate 30 years since it was aired. Therefore it is worth noting that this is a two year old documentary.

Insights from Karen Meagher, Mick Jackson and a surprisingly upbeat interview with Rita May who played Jimmys mum.

Its worth noting that Rita May was not a trained actress but worked her way in showbusiness through cabaret and comedy much like Lynne Perrie (the Mum in 'Kes', also written by Barry Hines) did years earlier. Production companies looking for realistic yet capable personalities often scoured the northern club circuit for talent.

Enjoy.

https://soundcloud.com/markyburrows/threads-at-30-a-bbc-radio-sheffield-special

[–] znapper 7 years ago

Superb! Thanks!

[–] CorpseCandle 7 years ago

WOW!

Awesome, thank you :D

[–] drhouse (79) 6 years ago

I know it's a long shot, but you wouldn't happen to have a copy or know someone who has? It seems it's been taken down and no longer available on soundcloud or bbc's site.

[–] drhouse (79) 5 years ago

I'm just about to listen to the audio commentary track by the director on the Blu-ray edition, it also comes with some Featurettes like interviews with the cast and crew. Still wish there was somewhere to hear the "threads-at-30-a-bbc-radio-sheffield-special"...