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A truly dreadful account of struggle and desperation in 19th century Yorkshire where death and starvation happened on a regular basis But no , with a story and script straight from a mills and boon daytime soap within weeks the family are rolling in it With everyone trying far too hard to speak with the worst Yorkshire accent ever life just gets better and better If only life up north were only this easy in those days Totally unbelievable and ridiculous When middle class scriptwriters sit down and write this rubbish maybe just maybe it might help to read some history books first and try to make it a little more realistic.

First saw this film when it came out when I was 9 years old , loved it and could relate to it being from Yorkshire and going to a similar school, the football match and the kids getting caned for smoking were truly memorable. Watching it over 50 years later there are so many beautiful things to appreciate it this classic film. The cinematography and the direction of this slice of life from an era long forgotten, brothers sleeping in the same bed , getting dressed up for the big Saturday night out at the club, sadistic teachers, morning paper rounds, kids with no qualifications, the Pit as the only choice, hardship and low expectations. The real star is young David Bradley who delivers a absolutely stellar heartbreaking performance.

For many many years , really since Broadchurch, ITV has produced drivel on a regular basis, ridiculous dramas that are nothing better than day time soaps and turned off after the first episode. Finally The Long Shadow arrives and within 10 minutes the difference was there to be seen. With an absolutely stellar cast and some top drawer actors this is totally compelling stuff The subject matter is very grim but it's a story that needs to be told, especially to a generation that will have no knowledge of that era.

The victims and their families are portrayed in a sympathetic manner and all the fashions and dialogue are spot on Definitely one of the best dramas this year.