Till Death Us Do Part – 1968 | 103 mins | Comedy| Colour

Plot Synopsis

Big-screen adaptation of the popular BBC TV comedy series charting the life of writer Johnny Speight’s outspoken working-class Cockney Alf Garnett. Unfortunately, the loose narrative structure and topical polemic of the much-loved programme did not translate well to the big screen, and the format was adjusted to meet the demands of cinema, a change which may leave viewers disappointed. The film was followed soon after by a sequel: The Alf Garnett Saga (1972).

The film chronicles the history of the put-upon Garnett family in their London terraced home; in particular the opinionated, loud-mouthed and prejudiced father figure Alf (Warren Mitchell). Starting with the declaration of war by Neville Chamberlain in 1939, we follow Alf through the war years as he evades being called up, blown up during the Blitz, and bemoans the lack of fags and booze due to rationing. Amongst all the chaos there’s a brief moment of sunshine when his wife (Dandy Nichols) gives birth to a daughter (Una Stubbs). Following VE day the film leaps forward 20 years and Alf is at war once again; first with his daughter over the 1964 general election then the Germans for a second time – whilst attending the 1966 World Cup Final with his daughters Scouse son-in-lawq (Anthony Booth). The German bombers couldn’t move the Garnett’s but now a council demolition order just might send them to the Essex suburbs.