Screenplay Road (1986–1993) Online

Jane Horrocks shines in this little sparkler from British Television. A collection of rude northern types in rude northern dereliction produce acting of a heavenly standard. If you ever get the chance, tape this and keep it forever. I now own two versions of this remarkable play, one taped off TV and quite difficult follow if you don't have the script - but note, the original play was edited for TV. Not only was the language softened to remove swear words, there had to be other changes presumably to accommodate the time the director was given and the locations. However, I have never seen the play on stage and if anyone hears of a revival, please let me know as I am sure this would stand the test of time. It would also be interesting to see if Clarke's own directorial style improves the material or not. Anyway, when I first put a note on IMDb about the TV version it was fondly remembered from one viewing and Jane Horrocks was my stand out memory. looking at it again (several times) it is really hard to pick out one performance. Lesley Sharp's monologue is so remarkable I found it hard to breathe while listening to it and I cannot understand how the camera operator managed to film this without falling over. Mossie Smith transition from granite hard to jelly while 'Try a little Tenderness' is playing cannot fail to take you with her but the fact is that each scene seems to grab your heart. Some of the actors, I think, played a range of roles in stage versions of the play and perhaps this knowledge helped sharpen their work but they were mostly young and still relatively new in their trade yet were more than able to give Jim Cartwright's spittle-flecked words a spectacular airing. Alan Clarke was on top form in Road.

Alan Clarke is one of celluloid's greatest assets. It's funny because he made a dire amount of theatrical feature films and just over 60 films for television – mainly the BBC and his television work far surpasses his theatrical work even though Scum, The Firm and Made In Britain are all fascinating works that showcase his exquisite talent and masterful directing abilities. You don't get much better than "Road" though. Broadcast on TV in 1987, Road is an adaptation of the famous first play of Jim Cartwright and it shines through unequivocally throughout the 67 minute run time. The characters walk through the streets addressing the camera as if they are on stage but they're not. In cinema it's sparsely done but imagine sitting down to watch a serious drama on TV and the characters start talking to you – also good to bear in mind this was in 1987, a time in England where the streets were still rife with racism and political opposition among other things. The musical number that closes this is quite frankly among my favourite musical numbers in the history of celluloid – I say celluloid because it's hard to say film when it was made for and broadcast first on television. Regardless, Road is a masterclass of acting and the ever so powerful direction of Clarke. I'm desperate to see everything I can get my hands on by the man now because he's easily one of my favourite filmmakers of all time.

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i was lucky enough to appear in a performance of Road, and i have to say its one of the emotional experiences you can ever do. the characters are so well written, and so real that you almost feel that you are them. I'm trying to convince my theatre company to do it now, it is definitely a play everyone should see. especially if your an avid Kevin smith or even Shakespeare fan, see it and you'll kind of get my meaning. The most amazing thing about it is that it's a promenade play, which mean the audience stand while the actors walk around them, and you actually stand in the road, as an actor is a daunting task, and watching our version now, i still get a chill during some of the darker scenes

This year, in August 08, I was asked to play the role of Eddie in TIE's (Theatre in English Youth Theatre, Brussels) production of 'Road', by Jim Cartwright. The first thing I did after accepting the part was to search it on the internet. When I arrived on ''Alan Clarke's Road'' I was surprised to see it had been made into a film as well as a play. After watching the film, I truly understood what the roles of Eddie and Brink were truly about.

This film is a true piece of art, and possibly the greatest thing I've ever seen on television since Threads in '84.

This film truly does Cartwright's play justice. Thank you Mr. Clarke!

This is by far the best thing I've ever seen on T.V. I must have watched this at least 50 times. The acting is superb and it captures the hopelessness of economic disadvantage perfectly. The use of Otis Redding's "Try a Little Tenderness" is extremely moving.