Review of Fox (Part 4 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 10 Just an iron monkey

Vinnie may lose his chance to get out of London when his business partner is arrested for fraud.

Episode 11 Just another villain in a cheap suit

Vin has a shock over his proposed move. Kenny is having a hard time finding work.

Episode 12 Oh dear-oh dear-oh dear

Ray heads up north to help out an old friend. Connie meets a new man.


Episode 13 The family… and the future

Ray is in serious trouble-what will the family do now?

Look out for Jim Carter and an early role for his moustache. Also David Calder and Gretchen Franklin (Ethel, Eastenders)

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.

Interesting use of some aging cars in these episodes.

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

On-screen notes about the producer.
Good quality animated menus and sturdy Amaray packaging.

Conclusion

`Fox` continues to be compelling viewing. Things get more complicated for the family as the series reaches its conclusion.

Everybody tries to do the right thing and being human they often get it wrong.

Despite the quality of the picture and sound I found this compulsive viewing. 1980 looks like 1890 and it is only twenty years ago.

You have to buy the whole series they do not standalone and besides it is a much better deal to buy a boxed set. At around the £30 for the set it costs about the same as two feature films and offers nearly 10 hours of viewing (were you thinking of having an early night?).