If every a woman was born to play a part, it was Fred Dowie as the abused mother in this film. Her face just screams "hit me - knock me about". She has the careworn downtrodden look, while keeping her shameful secret to herself, that I have witnessed many times. There were so many little touches in this film that made it so real for me. The claustrophobic home, the BBC light programme playing on the radio: Billy Cotton Band Show, Beyond our Ken, Jean Metcalfe with Family Favorites all brought a touch of nostalgia. I noticed many things I had completely forgotten - like when the mother was cleaning the upstairs sash window by sitting on the window sill outside the window with the window pulled down to her lap.
Like "Once were Warriors" this was also a very disturbing film due to the father's unpredictable violence, and not easy to watch, but once seen it is never forgotten. Who ever knew what would 'set him off' sometimes nothing was needed.
Like "Once were Warriors" this was also a very disturbing film due to the father's unpredictable violence, and not easy to watch, but once seen it is never forgotten. Who ever knew what would 'set him off' sometimes nothing was needed.