2009
Britain
Documentary
Presented by
Richard Wilson
R2 DVD
Acorn Media UK
Reviewer: Bob Estreich
In the 1950s the war-weary workers of
Britain discovered a new pleasure – the motor car touring holiday. With the
availability of inexpensive cars like the Morris Minor and Austin A40 and the
renovated and superb road network, many parts of Britain were now accessible to
city dwellers. A number of guidebooks appeared suggesting the best drives and
tourist trips. These were seen as a rather adventurous alternative to the more
traditional Butlin’s holiday camps or bus trips to the beach. Richard, now in
his seventies, has set out to follow
some of these recommended trips and to see how much they have changed over the
years. Regardless of the changes, there is still a lot of beautiful country
left in Britain.
Scarborough to Whitby by Morris Minor . We
soon find that Richard and manual gearboxes are natural enemies. One surprising
change stands out. Whitby, a rather quaint port town, has attracted large
numbers of so-called “Goths” . The young people with their dark makeup and wild
hairdos came here because Whitby was the home of Bram Stoker, the Dracula
author, with whom these people identify. A young lad in a Mohawk haircut and
heavy boots driving Richard’s Morris is definitely a sight to see. One of his
new Goth friends quite knowledgeable about the ruins of Whitby Abbey. We also
get a brief look at the little town of Goathland, the village that was
redecorated as a 1950s town for the BBC TV series Heartbeat and has now become
a major tourist trap..
North Wales by Ford Zodiac. The Zodiac was
a revelation to the British. Instead of the traditional British conservatism,
it was flamboyant, with lots of chrome trim and powerful, with a top speed
around 90 miles per hour. Richard starts with a Welsh lesson at Carnarvon
Castle, then continues on through the back roads of Wales. It seems to consist
of a remarkable amount of rock with bits of land stuck on it. We see the
conflict between small villages with narrow streets and the satnav-misguided
monster trucks and buses trying to negotiate them.
North Cornish Coast by Volkswagen
Campervan. This trip starts at the little fishing town of St Ives, which in the
50s was an abstract arts center and international destination. It still
supports an artist community. It also seems to have one of the nicest beaches
in Britain. The trip continues to Lands End through possibly the most beautiful
coastal scenery and many more grating gearchanges. It also covers the beautiful
but harsh Cornish tin mining areas and relics.
The Lakes District. This area is reputed
to be one of Britain’s wettest areas, so the producers have given Richard a
Triumph TR3 convertible. The roof is staying up while ever there is any sign of
rain. The gearbox, as usual, gets a punishing. One of Britain’s highest inns is
scheduled for a lunch stop. With Richard’s lack of gearchanging ability the
steep climb will be a challenge. The beauty of the Lakes drive contrasts with
the M6 motorway, which cuts across the area.
Later DVDs in the series will include The
Wye Valley by Austin Cambridge and The Scottish Highlands by Bentley
The extras include “Unseen Scenes” (a bit
of a misnomer since we are seeing them now). A highlight of this section is the
vintage Automobile Association patrolman in full uniform and with motorbike,
who discusses the early days of motoring with Richard. He has many memories of the early days of the
motorways. The man is a real character and his reminiscences are fascinating.
Frankly, the other sections in the Extras are just as good
If there was a disappointment with the
series, it was that I would like to have seen a little more on the cars and a
little less clashing of gears..
The episodes are set to suitable 1950s
music, that cheesy string-based “happy holidays” elevator music, with readings
from1950s touring holiday books. These give a nice period feel to the show.
Watchers of the BBC series “Heartbeat” will feel at home.
This review will appear in Volume 2 No.3
(2009) of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.
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