Why were two versions made?
Anybody know the reason for the two versions - if it was the violence surely they would have edited the original. Was it due to the film quality?
The original version was commisioned by the BBC as a TV Movie, hence they owned the rights to it. Just before it was due to be aired it was pulled by "The Establishment" as it was seen to be a bit to "Documentry" like. After two years were up Alan Clarke was free to use the story and make the theatrical version.
shareAnd in the BBC TV version, there was a lot more made of the sexual relationship between some of the boys.
The 1979 version was billed as "the film they didn't want you to see", but of course it was a remake, eventually shown on Channel Four shortly after it began broadcasting.
The 1977 TV play version didn't make it to air for fifteen years.
So which one is the best to see?
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Is the 1979 version the one where Carlin has his bitch, a pretty boy in his cell? I can't remember what his name was.
I've seen both versions and I can't remember which one it was in but one of them had this storyline entirely cut out.
Hey, answer my nerd question: which version has better visuals? (shot composition, film stock, lalala)
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yeah, in the 79 version Carlin has a 'missis'. there was a scene where he explains to the lad what he wants from him etc.
shareDoes anybody know which release is the best one to get; the UK 2-disc tin edition, or the Blue Underground 2-disc edition? Can't seem to find which one is the better, and I really want to see the version I've not yet seen. any help appreciated. thanks
shareIt was in the 1977 TV version that he had the bitch. Carlin was not gay in the theatrical one.
shareThe 1977 BBC TV version. It seems more realistic, the 79 film added some extra unnecessary stuff, like the extra suicide (laughable) and extended rape scene (urgh...why?). Some of the scenes just didn't have the same feel to them. Maybe it's because I watched the 77 drama followed by the 79 film, but I much prefer the 77 TV drama, it's shorter but it's more concise and the flow is quicker. I also think the violence is more extreme in the 77 drama than it was in the 79 film and thought they made two versions because the TV drama was too realistic, so they added things to the 79 one to make it less believable.
The BBC drama had much more impact on me then the later film had and I will always show the 1977 production to people who haven't seen it rather than the 1979 feature film.
I have a feeling the extra suicide scene was in the BBC version but might had been edited out. Having seen both versions, the film version is more cinematic in a low budget way whilst the BBC version is obviously a tv play but has David Threlfall.
Its that man again!!