Made in Britain | |
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Directed by | Alan Clarke |
Produced by |
Margaret Matheson Patrick Cassavetti |
Written by | David Leland |
Starring | Tim Roth |
Music by | The Exploited |
Cinematography | Chris Menges |
Production
company |
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Distributed by | ITV |
Release date
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Running time
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76 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Made in Britain is a 1982 British television play written by David Leland, and directed by Alan Clarke, about a 16-year-old racist skinhead named Trevor, and his constant confrontations with authority figures. It was originally broadcast on ITV on 10 July 1983 as fourth in an untitled series of works by Leland (including Birth of a Nation), loosely based around the British educational system, which subsequently acquired the overall title of Tales Out of School. As with many Alan Clarke works, the director attempts to depict English working-class life realistically, without moralising or complex plots. The play features strong language, violence, racism and an anti-establishment feeling. Cinematographer Chris Menges's use of the Steadicam contributed to the fluid and gritty atmosphere of the play.
The play begins with Trevor being tried in court charged with throwing a brick through the window of a Pakistani man, Mr. Shahnawaz. He has also been charged with shoplifting from Harrods. Trevor is defiant when questioned by the judge. Trevor's social worker, Harry Parker (Eric Richard) takes him to Hooper Street Residential Assessment Centre, where his punishment will be determined. The centre's deputy superintendent, Peter Clive (Bill Stewart), admits Trevor, and he's allocated a room with Errol (Terry Richards).
The next day, Trevor leaves the assessment centre, to job-hunt. Trevor, accompanied by Errol, breaks into a car and drives to the job centre. Near the job centre, he buys Evo-Stik for huffing, and immediately enters the job centre. Trevor breaks the queue, demanding a job from the job centre attendant. When asked to wait, he storms out, and hurls a brick through the window. He makes his escape, and walks with Errol to an abandoned swimming pool where he has hidden some tools. Trevor pockets the tools, and hands Errol a bunch of keys, instructing him to get it into the centre, and hide it. He then breaks into another car, and takes it and drives away. He orders Errol to get out, saying he is visiting some mates.