johnbalance

I remember watching this series when RTE aired it in 1987, since then its fallen into complete obscurity. Its never gotten a home media release and I don't remember it being repeated. Out of the episodes which I definitely recall watching, the most powerful was Fear Of The Dark, it spooked the bejaysus out of me. I vaguely remember the episodes the Scar and A Summer Ghost but my memories of those are more patchy. This was shown on Channel 4 originally as well, I don't know how well known it is among UK horror, suspense fans but I never see it mentioned alongside the likes of Armchair Thriller or the like.

I'm now convinced RTE are incapable of doing comedy. This is the worst thing since Extra Extra. Awful, just awful.

I was torn about what rating to give this as it's not without it's merits. The film works as a time capsule of late 70's Britain with real life footage of National Front protests and anti-fascist counter protesters clashing with police. The concert footage of the Clash in action is undoubtedly the highlight. As a narrative led film it's kind of all over the place. Ganges unsympathetic main character fails to hold the viewers interest. He basically wanders the film in an alchoholic haze, can in hand. His character is utterly useless in his capacity as a roadie for the band and leads to some continuity confusion when two other roadie characters are talking about him as though he's gone yet the next scene has him still there. The sub story about a group of black youths falling foul of the law which seems to have no connection to the main Clash story is puzzling as well. It appears to be a critique of police harassment of black urban youth yet the featured characters are actually portrayed as engaging in criminal activity so it kind of misses the point.