Till Death Us Do Part (film)
Encyclopedia
Till Death Us Do Part is a 1969 film
based on the BBC television series Till Death Us Do Part which aired from 1965 until 1975. The film was directed by Norman Cohen
and written by Johnny Speight
, the creator of the television version.
begins. Alf Garnett, a dockyard worker, and his wife Else had been married for only a few weeks, and are already weary of one another. The film depicts their lives during the London Blitz. Else eventually gets pregnant to Alf and Else's shock, and they have a baby daughter in 1942. Alf gets called up for military duty but is turned down since he has a family.
Midway through the film it advances 20 years or so from the end of World War II
to the 1966 Election
.
Rita is now a young woman and engaged to Michael Rawlins, a long haired layabout originally from Liverpool. Alf dislikes him because of his long hair and support for the Labour Party. Trouble gets worse when Mike and Rita marry in a Catholic church, angering Alf. Later he fights with Mike's father. But Alf and Mike grow a bit closer, attending the 1966 World Cup final together. The film ends in 1968 with the family moving to a new tower block in Essex after their East End neighbourhood street is demolished.
1969 in film
The year 1969 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Last year for prize giving at the Venice Film Festival until it is revived in 1980...
based on the BBC television series Till Death Us Do Part which aired from 1965 until 1975. The film was directed by Norman Cohen
Norman Cohen
Norman Cohen was an Irish film director and producer, best known for directing a number of feature films based on television comedy programmes during the 1970s, including Till Death Us Do Part and Dad's Army , as well as Spike Milligan's Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall.He was also a...
and written by Johnny Speight
Johnny Speight
Johnny Speight , was a British television scriptwriter of many classic British sitcoms.He emerged in the mid 1950s. He wrote for the radio comics; Frankie Howerd, Vic Oliver, Arthur Askey, and Cyril Fletcher. For television he wrote for the Arthur Haynes Show, Morecambe & Wise, and Peter Sellers...
, the creator of the television version.
Plot
The film begins in September 1939 shortly after World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
begins. Alf Garnett, a dockyard worker, and his wife Else had been married for only a few weeks, and are already weary of one another. The film depicts their lives during the London Blitz. Else eventually gets pregnant to Alf and Else's shock, and they have a baby daughter in 1942. Alf gets called up for military duty but is turned down since he has a family.
Midway through the film it advances 20 years or so from the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
to the 1966 Election
United Kingdom general election, 1966
The 1966 United Kingdom general election on 31 March 1966 was called by sitting Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Wilson's decision to call an election turned on the fact that his government, elected a mere 17 months previously in 1964 had an unworkably small majority of only 4 MPs...
.
Rita is now a young woman and engaged to Michael Rawlins, a long haired layabout originally from Liverpool. Alf dislikes him because of his long hair and support for the Labour Party. Trouble gets worse when Mike and Rita marry in a Catholic church, angering Alf. Later he fights with Mike's father. But Alf and Mike grow a bit closer, attending the 1966 World Cup final together. The film ends in 1968 with the family moving to a new tower block in Essex after their East End neighbourhood street is demolished.
Cast
- Warren MitchellWarren MitchellWarren Mitchell is an English actor who rose to initial prominence in the role of bigoted cockney Alf Garnett in the BBC television sitcom Till Death Us Do Part , and its sequels Till Death... and In Sickness and in Health , all of which were written by Johnny Speight...
as Alf GarnettAlf GarnettAlf Garnett is a fictional character in the British sitcoms Till Death Us Do Part, Till Death... and In Sickness and in Health, and chat show The Thoughts of Chairman Alf. He was created by Johnny Speight and played by Warren Mitchell.... - Dandy NicholsDandy Nichols-References:* Dandy Nichols at screenonline.* Dandy Nichols at The Museum of Broadcast Communications.-External links:...
as Else Garnett - Una StubbsUna StubbsUna Stubbs is an English actress and former dancer who has appeared extensively on British television and in the theatre, and less frequently in films. She is particularly known for her roles in the sitcom Till Death Us Do Part and Aunt Sally in the children's series Worzel Gummidge.-Film and...
as Rita (the daughter) - Antony Booth as Mike (the boyfriend)
- Liam RedmondLiam RedmondLiam Redmond was an Irish actor known for his stage, film and television roles.-Early life:Redmond was one of four children born to carpenter Thomas and Eileen Redmond...
as Mike's Father - Bill MaynardBill MaynardWalter Frederick George Williams , better known by the stage name Bill Maynard, is an English comedian and actor.-Early life and career:...
as Bert - Brian BlessedBrian BlessedBrian Blessed is an English actor, known for his sonorous voice and "hearty, king-sized portrayals".-Early life:The son of William Blessed, a socialist miner, and Hilda Wall, Blessed was born in the town of Goldthorpe, West Riding of Yorkshire, England...
as Sergeant - Sam KyddSam KyddSam Kydd was an Ulster-born English actor. An army officer's son, he was born in Belfast, but moved to London, England when he was a child. He was educated at Dunstable Grammar School in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England....
as Fred - Frank ThorntonFrank ThorntonFrank Thornton is an English actor who is best known for playing Captain Peacock in Are You Being Served? and its sequel Grace & Favour and as Truly in Last of the Summer Wine.-Early life:...
as Valuation Officer - Ann LancasterAnn LancasterAnn Lancaster was a well-known character actress who appeared in many British films, television shows and in the theatre. She specialised in comic roles. She had a talent for voices and often used this on radio to portray children. She also used her talent to do voiceovers on television...
as Woman at Block of Flats - Michael RobbinsMichael RobbinsMichael Anthony Robbins was a British actor known for his television work...
as Pub Landlord - Pat CoombsPat CoombsPat Coombs was an English actress. Coombs was considered one of Britain's great character actresses, specialising in the portrayal of the eternal downtrodden female — comically under the thumb of stronger personalities. She was known for many roles on radio, film and television sitcoms...
as Neighbour - Kate WilliamsKate WilliamsKate Williams is an English actress from London who trained at London's East 15 Acting School.She remains best known for two television roles: Joan Booth in the 1970s sitcom Love Thy Neighbour and Audrey Withey in the crime drama Widows...
as Sergeant's Girlfriend - Shelagh FraserShelagh FraserShelagh Fraser was a British actress.She was best-known for her role as Luke Skywalker's ill-fated aunt, Beru Lars in Star Wars...
as Mike's Mother - John D. CollinsJohn D. CollinsJohn D. Collins is an English actor, perhaps best known for appearing in the BBC sitcom Allo 'Allo! in which he played Flt. Lt. Fairfax, a stranded British airman in occupied France during World War II...
as RAF officer at Tube Station - Geoffrey HughesGeoffrey HughesGeoffrey Hughes, DL is an English actor.As well as a wide range of TV and film appearances, Hughes is best known for a series of supporting roles in popular UK television dramas...
as Mike's brother - Tommy GodfreyTommy GodfreyTommy Godfrey was an English film and television actor, mostly playing working-class Cockney characters.His television credits included Love Thy Neighbour, Mind Your Language, The Avengers, Bless This House, Till Death Us Do Part, Z-Cars, Softly, Softly, The Goodies and On the Buses.His film...
as Knowledgeable man in pub - Bob GrantBob Grant (actor)Robert St Clair Grant , usually known as Bob Grant, was an English actor, best known for playing Jack Harper in On the Buses....
as Man in Pub - Edward EvansEdward Evans (actor)Edward Evans was a British film and television actor.During World War II, he served with the British Army in Italy and North Africa, reaching the rank of captain....
as Jim (shopkeeper)
Trivia
- The theme tune was composed by Ray DaviesRay DaviesRay Davies, CBE is an English rock musician. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother, Dave...
of The KinksThe KinksThe Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
. The song is heard briefly at the end of the film over the closing credits. The song was sung by Chas Mills. - Although the TV show had been shot in black and white, the film was shot in colour.
- Alf and Else Garnett married in 1939 according to the film, while the series claimed they married in 1941.
- Location footage was filmed in Tower HamletsLondon Borough of Tower HamletsThe London Borough of Tower Hamlets is a London borough to the east of the City of London and north of the River Thames. It is in the eastern part of London and covers much of the traditional East End. It also includes much of the redeveloped Docklands region of London, including West India Docks...
.