UK / BBC Two / 1×95 minute episodes / Broadcast 25 December 1971
Writer: Hugh Whitemore / Costume Design: Michael Burdle / Make Up: Penny Norton / Music: Wilfred Josephs (conducted by Marcus Dods) / Design: Eileen Diss / Producer: Ann Kirch / Director: Claude Whatham / Novel: Laurie Lee
Period drama. Young Laurie Lee grows up in a large family under the care of his loving if somewhat eccentric mother in a between the wars Gloustershire village. It’s halcyon days spent in flower filled meadows sampling Granny Wallon’s home brews and listening to the stories of his family however the harsher side of life also rears its head with a sinister death in the village and unhappy days spent at school with a sadistic teacher. Laurie’s real awakening comes with an encounter with the beautiful Rosie under a haywain…
Laurie Lee himself makes a little poignant non speaking cameo at the end walking down the same country lane as his younger self, one joyful the other wistfully nostalgic.
cast
ROSEMARY LEACH as Mother
PETER CHANDLER, STEPHEN GRNEDON, PHILIP HAWKES as Laurie at various ages
ANDREW WEBBER and JONATHAN GREEN as Jack
FRANCES LEE as Marjorie
TANIA ROBINSON as Dorothy
LOUISA MARTIN as Phyllis
TREVOR BANNISTER as Father
STEPHEN KEAVY as Harold
ANDREW DAVIS and MARK PARKER as Tony
HELEN THORNHILL as Rosie
SALLY ANN TYLER as Jo
CHRISTOPHER FLETCHER as Spadge
TARCY TOMPKINS as Poppy
ELIZABETH MATTHEWS as Lizzy
SOPHIA NEVILLE as Eileen
MARY MERRALL as Granny Walton
CATHERINE LACEY as Granny Trill
MIKE PRATT as Uncle Ray
MICHAEL ROBBINS as Uncle Charlie
JOHN FRANKLYN-ROBBINS as The Stranger
MARYANN TURNER as Aunty Fanny
AMANDA MURRAY as Miss Flynn
ROGER HEATHCOTT a Milkman
FREDA DOWIE as Crabby
MARIE HOPPS as Infant Teacher
LOUISE JAMESON as Junior Teacher
RONALD HACKETT as Vincent
PETER GRAY as Vicar
VICTOR LANGLEY as Entertainer
