Muck & Brass - Britmovie

samkydd · 19-11-2005, 08:48 AM

Does anyone remember the excellent Muck & Brass from the early 1980s with Mel Smith as the ruthless and unscrupulous Tom Craig?

It was set in Birmingham and was a real gritty drama with some good acting and storylines. I only saw it the once when it was first broadcast but as TV dramas go it was very good indeed. Mel Smith playing a straight role was something different and he did it very well. Hopefully one day it will be repeated because it was one of those series which was unmissable at the time.

The topic on Gangsters, also set in Birmingham, jogged my memory about Muck & Brass and it's surprising really that so few dramas were set in Britain's second city.

garryhobbs · 11-12-2005, 01:45 AM

Quote:

(samkydd @ Nov 19 2005, 08:48 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Does anyone remember the excellent Muck & Brass from the early 1980s with Mel Smith as the ruthless and unscrupulous Tom Craig?

It was set in Birmingham and was a real gritty drama with some good acting and storylines. I only saw it the once when it was first broadcast but as TV dramas go it was very good indeed. Mel Smith playing a straight role was something different and he did it very well. Hopefully one day it will be repeated because it was one of those series which was unmissable at the time.

The topic on Gangsters, also set in Birmingham, jogged my memory about Muck & Brass and it's surprising really that so few dramas were set in Britain's second city.
[/b]

Yes Indeed, I remember this. One of the best most powerful (and true to life) dramas ever made. Whilst it was certainly of it's time, it's equally relevant today (particularly with the level of governmental - local as well as national - corruption at an all time high). A particular line that somehow seems to have stuck in my mind was Tom Craig's assistant (Jamal?) "Go for it Mr. Craig".........don't ask me why.

I regularly look for news of it being released on DVD........alas no sign!

samkydd · 12-12-2005, 01:57 PM

Quote:

(Garry @ Dec 11 2005, 01:45 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
Yes Indeed, I remember this. One of the best most powerful (and true to life) dramas ever made. Whilst it was certainly of it's time, it's equally relevant today (particularly with the level of governmental - local as well as national - corruption at an all time high). A particular line that somehow seems to have stuck in my mind was Tom Craig's assistant (Jamal?) "Go for it Mr. Craig".........don't ask me why.

I regularly look for news of it being released on DVD........alas no sign!
[/b]

Hopefully one of the Freeview channels will repeat it one day!

Furnisher Steele · 13-12-2005, 01:15 AM

I recall that the actor playing Jamal got really good reviews but sadly he committed suicide while the series was running. Great show though and probably the last gasp of quality drama made and set in the midlands - ITV franchise changes and the slow death of BBC pebble mill as a production base saw to that. Its a pity Mel Smith didnt get more chances to play straight dramatic roles either. He was really good in it.

19-11-2005, 08:48 AM	#1
samkydd has no status. Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stackton Tressle Posts: 2,428 My Mood: Country: iTrader: (0)	Does anyone remember the excellent Muck & Brass from the early 1980s with Mel Smith as the ruthless and unscrupulous Tom Craig? It was set in Birmingham and was a real gritty drama with some good acting and storylines. I only saw it the once when it was first broadcast but as TV dramas go it was very good indeed. Mel Smith playing a straight role was something different and he did it very well. Hopefully one day it will be repeated because it was one of those series which was unmissable at the time. The topic on Gangsters, also set in Birmingham, jogged my memory about Muck & Brass and it's surprising really that so few dramas were set in Britain's second city. __________________ "...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"

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13-12-2005, 01:15 AM	#4
Furnisher Steele has no status. Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 26 iTrader: (0)	I recall that the actor playing Jamal got really good reviews but sadly he committed suicide while the series was running. Great show though and probably the last gasp of quality drama made and set in the midlands - ITV franchise changes and the slow death of BBC pebble mill as a production base saw to that. Its a pity Mel Smith didnt get more chances to play straight dramatic roles either. He was really good in it.