Privates (2013)
| The Production | Episodes | Photographs |
|---|
The Production
Series Synopsis:
Britain 1960: as the age of respectability gives way to the era of rock and roll, we follow the stories of eight privates who are part of the last intake of National Service. Stationed at a basic training depot in North Yorkshire, they are part of Two Section and their two years of National Service has just begun.
Summary from BBC 1.
It is November 3rd, 1960 as we follow the last intake of men into National Service at the tail end of conscription. The Cold War is at its height, but an old way of life is drawing to a close, and a new breed of young man is standing up for England, Rock & Roll and the right to think for himself… but they’re in the wrong place. Gangsters, teddy boys, peaceniks, posh boys and one certifiable loose cannon are about to find themselves in Two Section, deafened, blinded, choked and disciplined into one tight fighting machine whether they like it or not. And like it they won’t. From the food to the beds, from early rising to late watches, from shaven heads to itchy uniforms, they re here to be broken down and rebuilt by the army; but it soon becomes a contest as to which side will break first.
Summary from Amazon.co.uk.
Broadcast:
Privates was produced by Twenty Twenty Television in 2012 and telecast for the first time on BBC1 Daytime Drama at 2:15pm in January 2013. It consisted of 5 episodes, each approximately 45 minutes.
Video Tracks: 1.33:1 / Colour
Audio Tracks: Mono English
Rating: 12
Format: 2 / PAL
Released: 28 January, 2013
Distributor: Acorn Media. Buy the DVD.
| Key Creatives | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Bryn Higgins |
| Producer | Nick Pitt |
| Writer | Damian Wayling |
Cast:
| Character | Played by: |
|---|---|
| Private Keenan | Alexander Vlahos |
| Private White-Bowne | Jack Fox |
| Private Wratten | Billy Seymour |
| Private Gordon Lomax | Ross Anderson |
| Private Rothman | Sam Swann |
| Private Davies | Matthew Aubrey |
| Private McIllvenny | Conor MacNeill |
| Private Hoy | David Kirkbride |
| Sergeant Butcher | Michael Nardone |
| Corporal Barrowman | Phil McKee |
| Captain Gulliver | Patrick Baladi |
| Audrey Gulliver | Emma Stansfield |
| Connie Charles | Sara Vickers |
| Lance Corporal Hobbs | Marc Silcock |
| Norah Preston | Sasha Frost |
| Captain Bulgakov (Episodes 1, 4, 5) |
Richard Katz |
| Major Cunnicliffe (Episodes 3, 5) |
Steven Pacey |
| Eileen Babcombe (Episode 5 only) |
Kate O’Toole |
Episodes
| EPISODE | ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION DATE |
EPISODE SYNOPSIS |
|---|---|---|
| 1
IMDB Listing: |
7 January 2013 BBC 1 2:15pm |
Lance Corporal Jimmy Hobbs proposes to his girlfriend Norah, who works in the army canteen (NAAFI) and then goes AWOL after being chased by Private Keenan. Sergeant Butcher sees a man by his motorbike on the pier, dressed in a homemade general’s uniform and speaking only in the dialogue of David Niven; he is Private Lomax. Corporal Barrowman, having taken a dislike to Private Wratten, initiates a search for a ‘stolen’ watch and pronounces Wratten the thief. After lights out, the men deal with dislocation in their own way: Keenan writes in his journal, Hoy cries and Lomax is nowhere to be seen… From BBC1 |
| 2
IMDB Listing: |
8 January 2013 BBC 1 2:15pm |
Corporal Barrowman drills Two Section on the parade ground. He is aghast that McIllvenny has permission to wear ‘soft shoes’ and that Private Hoy is unable to co-ordinate his arms and legs. Lomax fakes taking the sedative that Nurse Connie gave him and much to her surprise suddenly starts to speak like Bette Davis. Jimmy tells Norah he has a plan. Keenan apologises to Connie for being strident about his pacifist views last time they met and asks Connie if they could talk, somewhere private. Two Section undergoes bayonet training. It’s a visceral process and most do it badly. It prompts Davies to wonder if he has what it takes to be a soldier. Sergeant Butcher visits a woman at the Imperial Hotel in nearby Ravensea. From BBC1 |
| 3
IMDB Listing: |
9 January 2013 BBC 1 2:15pm |
Two Section is on the assault course. Barrowman tells the men that if they beat One Section’s time they will get a crate of beer: if they don’t, they will be peeling spuds for the regimental dinner that evening. White-Bowne tells Captain Gulliver that he is standing in the Oldham East by-election and will thus get exemption from National Service. Hobbs, waiting in an army cell after being AWOL, fears the worst. Lomax hides a wrapped package under his pillow. Keenan and Connie have dinner together From BBC1 |
| 4
IMDB Listing: |
10 January 2013 BBC 1 2:15pm |
Barrowman continues training with Two Section and simulates a gas attack, during which Wrattan collapses. While the sections wait by the barrack room clock for their leave to begin, the nuclear attack warning sounds. Barrowman and Hobbs salute the impending Armageddon with a bottle of whisky. Hobbs, now slightly drunk, confronts Norah about their relationship. White-Bowne has found out that Barrowman used to be a sergeant and thinks Hobbs might know the story of why he was demoted to corporal. From BBC1 |
| 5
IMDB Listing: |
11 January 2013 BBC 1 2:15pm |
Preparations for the Remembrance Day parade begin as a telegram arrives telling that Davies’ grandfather has died, the one his family had suspected of being a coward. Captain Gulliver tells Audrey that their life will begin anew when he hands in his resignation that day. Wratten visits Barrowman in hospital and Barrowman tells his story. Keenan’s curiosity about Davies’ grandfather leads him to uncover the truth about the grandfather’s army record. White-Bowne and Rothman appear in front of the Conservative selection panel and make their respective pitches to be the next candidate. Sergeant Butcher asks Captain Bulgakov whether Lomax is really mad or just faking it. From BBC1 |
Photographs
Space permits that we have only included images featuring Steven Pacey.
There are no images at this stage. Coming soon.
