The alternative title for this film is 'Fires of Youth', the same as Collier's novel on which it is based. And that is a more accurate description of the genre of the film it is a coming-of-age movie.
The central character is Danny Jones (played by Len Jones). He is 17 years old and rather naïve. He works with his father (played by Frank Finlay) as jobbing builders in the Welsh valleys. Danny leads an uneventful existence until he and his father are commissioned to carry out some building work at a rather posh girl's school. Here Danny meets up with Angie (Jane Carr) and her friend Sue (Jenny Hanley). Ms. Carr is of course best remembered for her performance as the innocent Mary McGregor in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. And Ms. Hanley is probably best known (by U.K fans at least) as the presenter of the children's show Magpie. Both actresses here play characters of a totally different social class to Danny and that friction forms the backbone to this film's story line. They are also much more experienced and worldly-wise than Danny so that presents the openings for Danny's learning opportunities.
A relationship develops between Danny and Angie. No detailed spoilers here but that relationship leads Danny to question his relationship with his father, and also uncovers some demons in the mind of Angie, especially with regards to her relationship with her more attractive friend Sue.
This is a quaint, beautifully photographed, rather dated but still very viewable film; in fact it is a little gem. If you ever get the chance to watch it on one of the rare occasions it is shown on TV I would recommend you take it. Jane Carr is the real star of the movie, a stellar performance which requires her to act out a character who is the total opposite of her Mary McGregor portrayal. Indeed I believe this is the only film in her career in which Ms. Carr was required to perform several topless/nude scenes a total contrast to her innocent Mary McGregor. Finally and as an added bonus to fans of 1960s English 'classic' cars (like me) an Austin A35 van and a (rare) Morris Minor convertible also make appearances in this movie!
