Review of Fox (Part 2 Of 4)

Introduction

This series was produced for Thames Television in 1980. It seems to have been a critical success and is remembered fondly. Running to 13 episodes it centred on Billy Fox and his family.

The cast have all become screen stalwarts and include Peter Vaughan, Ray Winstone and Bernard Hill. Trevor Preston previously responsible for the Tom Bell series `Out` wrote this series. The director Jim Goddard went onto helm further TV such as ` Reilly, Ace of Spies`, `Inspector Morse` and `Holby City`. Producer Graham Benson and Executive Producer Verity Lambert produced a long series of hits for Thames TV.

There are a further three episodes on this disc.

Episode 4 It`s all them Psychia-whatever-you-call-it books he reads

Kenny is devastated by the result of the fight. Phil arrives and is given the job of talking Kenny out of his depressive mood.

Episode 5 Shim-me-sha-wobble

Kenny runs away and the family try to find him.

Episode 6 Stick or Twist

Kenny`s kidnappers get more than they bargain for when they mess with the Fox family. Look out for a pre `The Bill` appearance by June Ackland and Jim Carver!

Video

The film stock is quite aged and the quality is variable. The toned down use of colour with an emphasis on brown is deliberate according to the writer`s notes featured on disc 2.

All the filming was done in Clapham living rooms and pubs giving the series an authentic feel. It also highlights some particularly hideous 1970`s Novamura wallpaper.

Audio

The sound has not been treated and the dialogue is sometimes difficult to distinguish over the music. As this is mainly dialogue with incidental music and the odd song (and I mean odd) it`s a shame to have to strain to hear it.

The soundtrack is by Thames favourite George Fenton with additional song lyrics by the writer Trevor Preston. The songs date it quite badly.
To compensate there is some good music in the nightclub scenes.

Features

Some on-screen notes about the writer`s approach.
Good quality animated menus and sturdy Amaray packaging.

Conclusion

By episode 6 the series is settling in nicely. Some scenes are overly long but the quality of the acting makes up for this and you can even get used to the overall brown feel of the discs.

Great drama, shame about the rather variable quality of the picture and sound. Brought to you courtesy of `Clearvision` also responsible for `Minder`. Still you pretty much concentrate on the performance and besides if you`ve bought the boxed set you`ll just want to know what happens to the Foxes.

Mostly the stuff of soaps these days this drama commands attention due to its huge range of acting talent. One of the youngest, Kenny (Ray Winstone) produces a fine performance as he lurches through his life looking for answers. Also Peter Vaughan is superb in everything (I particularly enjoyed his performance in `Citizen Smith`)