Review of Fox (Part 3 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.


Episode 7 The Perfect Scapegoat Syndrome

Phil gets into trouble at University. His radical leanings lead him into a row with Billy. When Billy collapses on a fishing trip all the brothers gather at his bedside.

Episode 8 If its good enough for New Orleans its good enough for Clapham

King Billy has a few surprises left in his Will. Connie pays a call on an old acquaintance.

Episode 9 Fox Big `F`-Family

Ray is made an offer-can he refuse?
Phil decides its time to run away but can Anna persuade him to stay?

Look out for John Rys Davies( Indiana Jones, Sliders).

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

Notes on-screen about the director.
Good quality animated menus and sturdy Amaray packaging

Conclusion

More rabbits are pulled out of hats as this drama unfolds nicely. It doesn`t have the heart stopping pace of `24` but it is not `feel-good` pap either. These episodes deal with grief and loss and how people react to it. It has a sensitive and thoughtful approach to death.
The quality of the picture and sound continue to be variable and rather a letdown. Still it`s perfectly watchable and was obviously a labour of love when it was made.