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Cathy Come Home

 Universal, suitable for all   DVD
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Producers: BBC TV
  • Region: All Regions
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: U
  • Run Time: 70.00 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00821U1NK
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 297,862 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)

Reviews

The famous BBC play about the tribulations of Cathy and her family as they try to find somewhere to live and end by being broken up as a family unit. 70 mins. The Truth of Cathy Come Home (article)---There is a human detritus swirling around in the backwaters of the Welfare State which nobody seems able to do anything about. Society and its public servants want passionately to do something but somehow can't. That, roughly, was the theme of the Wednesday Play, "Cathy Come Home," directed by Kenneth Loach, produced by Tony Garnett. I know by my own observations | from the outskirts of social work in a slummy part of London that everything in the early part of the story is a hundred per cent true. It can be argued that not many unfortunate wives are as Julie Christie-like as Carol White, or many of the husbands as Dylan Thomas-like as Ray Brooks. The most common background of families which get into real trouble nowadays has to do with crime; alcohol or disease; none of these is the problem of Cathy and Reg. The story is of two young people in love who want to express their love by having a family. They have it - three children; The father, a driver, loses his job because of an accident and the bright future in a pretty flat is suddenly sinking deeper into slumland, fleeing to a caravan site and finishing up in a hostel, where the husband is not allowed to stay with his family. The wife says: "give me a place to live in with them and their father and they need no other care." But the whole structure gradually crumbles and ends up with the children being "taken" into care by force, in a railway station. The mother is left weeping on a bench and we the audience wondering if she is not perhaps going to throw herself in front of a train. I have no doubt at all about its authenticity and about its containing some outstanding performances. As this film was made in 1966 the quality is not up to modern standards. This should not diminish its impact.


Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
70 of 71 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Stark Drama That Shook A Nation 31 Oct 2004
Format:DVD
In 1966 The Wednesday Play brought us one of the most significant pieces of work that has ever been transmitted on British television. Written by Jeremy Sandford and directed by Ken Loach, this single drama had such a profound effect on its showing, that Britain would never be the same again. The play was called Cathy Come Home.

Never before or since has one single piece of drama had such an effect on an entire nation. The stark realism of Cathy Come Home led to changes in social attitudes and the issues addressed were discussed in Parliament.

Stark, unremittingly grim and charged with a palpable tragic power which haunts the minds of those who saw it to this very day, Cathy Come Home remains as a truly ground-breaking piece of dramatic documentary fiction. Although director Loach has constantly refused to take credit for the impact that "Cathy" had on social attitudes, stating that the drama had a minimal effect, and reminding us that the homeless problem is far worse today than it ever was in the 1960's, rarely has a programme so clearly illustrated the true power of television. Even more rarely has television succeeded in touching the conscience of an entire nation.

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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This was so radical at the time of its original screening that it was a significant driver the subsequent changes in social welfare reform. I remember it being shown on TV as a kid and it so impacted me that I have never forgotten it. I'm sure it shaped some of my views as to how people should be considered.

I am so glad that it has been released at an affordable price. It has been on release in the past, but due of its value in education it has always commanded a higher price.Cathy Come Home [DVD]
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Cathy DVD 2 Oct 2011
By Deka's
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is an excellent documentary film of the difficult times facing families after the second world war. It demonstrates an uncaring stance taken by government departments who deemed it ok to split families and take children away from young mothers who had tried their utmost to care for their children in deplorable conditions. Not a good way to reward the working classes after the efforts they had put in to the war.

It demonstrated a clear class distinction and an almost Victorian disregard for the impact of middle class decision making by people who would be unlikely to ever have to face such conditions.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping, gritty and poignant.
Has to be one of the greatest social comment films ever made. White is just brilliant as the mother trying to find a home for her and her children in an uncaring society. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Rodney Mitchell
5.0 out of 5 stars nostalgia
i remember this play from the 60's when i ws a kid, never has a play before or sinced provoked such debate and led to changes in peoples attitudes and the governments approach to... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Anthony
5.0 out of 5 stars cathy
lovely moving movie . its heart breaking to visualise the ups and downs of this loving couple . may buy the follow ups
Published 1 month ago by toytown
4.0 out of 5 stars cathy come home
Arrived on time. not seen this film yet as it was a present for someone. but recall seeing it years ago and liked it. very sad but funny too.
Published 1 month ago by EAP of B
5.0 out of 5 stars So delighted
Thank you so much for this Dvd,it is something I have wanted for so long and am absolutely delighted with it.I will treasure this for years to come.
Thank you once again. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kevin Robinson
5.0 out of 5 stars Good quality
This was part of the package of films that I ordered. The quality is good and the delivery was swift. I am very happy with both the product and the service.
Published 1 month ago by pauline
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Fantastic!
An absolute masterpiece. Being a huge fan of Ken Loach and Carol White i can say with all honesty that this is one of the best films i've ever seen. Read more
Published 2 months ago by lennonist4080
4.0 out of 5 stars The greyness of the sixties.
My wife and I started our married life and family in the sixties and when we look back now the realism of the time really catches up with you, life as we knew it, was changing at a... Read more
Published 2 months ago by D. Stevenson
5.0 out of 5 stars Cathy Come Home
Powerful drama based on real life facts on what life was like in the 60's. Recommended watching to all that read this.
Published 2 months ago by KAREN HEDLEY
5.0 out of 5 stars Cathy Come Home
I saw this years ago on the BBC, and had wanted to watch it again, but for so long I couldn't find it. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Gerald McLachlan
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