Bill Douglas Movies
- 1986
Set in the 1830s, this historical drama stars Robin Soans as George Loveless, a Methodist minister whose flock is a group of working families in Tolpuddle, a small town in the British Southwest. Most of the workers in the community are under the thumb of Frampton (Robert Stephens), a ruthless land owner, and his overseer Clerk (Murray Melvin); Frampton and Clerk demand long hours from their workers and pay meager wages. Convinced that the workers deserve a better shake, Loveless, encouraged by organizer Mr. Pitt (Michael Hordern), forms the Society of Friends, an early labor union, and organizes the men to negotiate with Frampton for better pay. When their salaries are instead cut, Loveless and his men go on strike, which could cripple Frampton financially. However, Frampton is well-connected, and soon both the government and private militias are sent in to break the strike and punish the rebellious laborers. The supporting cast includes James Fox, Freddie Jones, and Vanessa Redgrave. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robin Soans, William Gaminara, (more)
- 1978
My Way Home was the third entry in a semidocumentary trilogy concocted by writer/director Bill Douglas. Filmed entirely on location in Scotland, the story concentrates on a disgruntled youth named Jamie. Hoping to escape his poverty-stricken surroundings, Jamie gets into trouble with the law, and ends up in a group home. He is finally straightened out when he joins the military. Curiously, of the three films in the "Jamie" series, My Way Home was the only one released in the US. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stephen Archibald
- 1973
A drama about a nine-year-old English boy who lives with his maternal grandmother. She dies, and he is sent to his paternal grandmother. The boy eventually ends up in an orphanage. ~ Steve Huey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stephen Archibald, Hughie Restorick, (more)
- 1972
My Childhood is an award-winning black-and-white film which recounts director Bill Douglas' experiences as a child in Scotland during World War II. The movie was shot in the same locations he lived in as a boy. In the film, the boy lives with his half-brother and grandmother in a remote mining village. The bleakness of their lives is brightened by their friendship with a German P.O.W. This short film is the first of three dealing with director Douglas' Scottish childhood. The other two are My Ain Folk and My Way Home. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stephen Archibald, Karl Fieseler, (more)
