Petuaria Pete

Does anybody else remember this film?

Deep End (1971)

Released in 1971, I only saw it once in the mid-70s whilst at college in Liverpool. I vaguely remember it being slightly erotic (thank you Jane Asher) and also strangely disturbing (sorry Diana Dors). It also featured the cute Cheryl Hall who went on to play (I think) 'Wolfie's' girlfriend in 'Citizen Smith', and Bert Kwouk who jumped out of Inspector Clouseau's fridge in the Pink Panther movies.

The film was directed by Jerzy Skolimowski a Pole and friend of Roman Polanski and also featured songs by Cat Stevens.

I don't recall ever seeing the film in the last 30 plus years on TV and don't think it is available on DVD in the UK.

DB7

There's a lengthy thread below.
http://www.britmovie.co.uk/forums/br...nd-1970-a.html

Petuaria Pete

Thanks DB7. I did try a search before I posted - honest - but didn't pick that up. Given the age of the post probably best that I didn't necro it.

spliffy

I have a nice copy if you are still looking for one.

christoph404

Made in either 69 or very early seventies, story of teanage boy who I think is working at an old victorain swimming pool in London. I think Jane Asher is in it but could be totally wrong on that one, cant remember director or other actors,I saw it on TV more than 25 years ago and have always wanted to have another look at it,its a very strange film as I recall but interesting all the same.

Jack Gurney

One of my all time faves, this- a classic of the late 60s counterculture genre where makers of a 'serious drama' would borrow from the conventions of the sex film, the horror movie and the crime thriller to create wonderful bizarre hybrids. The period between 1965 and 1980 is my all time favourite for British cinema, and DEEP END is one of the reasons why. Direcor Jerzy Skolimowski (the man who also gave us THE SHOUT and MOONLIGHTING) continually deals with the idea of the outsider trapped in a strange world or unbefitting set of cicumstances, and this film is probably his best demonstration of those themes. The setting of the film is perfectly suited to them- a strange suburban hinterland not-quite-London, yet not-quite-the countryside either. Actually, it looks a lot like the St Peters district of Margate if you ask me, but this is highly unlikely as most British films of this kind at the time were filmed in either Middlesex, Herts, Bucks or Surrey- ie in close proximity to the studios.

John Moulder-Brown (whatever became of him?) gives a great performance as one totally divorced from reality, a boy teetering on the edge of physical and sexual manhood but lacking the requisite emotional makeup to make the full transition, still halfway between being an adult in the workaday world and a boy with adolescent yearnings, which can of course so easily become obsessions. Diana Dors' cameo illustrates this point perfectly: Jane Asher's performance as a girl who has jumped into womanhood far too quickly, and occupies a hazy netherworld somewhere between a total slapper and an emancipated lady with a brain, is amazing: you sympathise with her and hate her all at once, as you do for her sleazy swimming instructor/lover and her befuddled mod-about town boyfriend (Christopher Sandford, who is best known for his work with Pete Walker). All of them seem to be wandering around in metaphorical circles: this is represented in one of the film's best remembered scenes, where Moulder-Brown continually paces the streets of Soho to the trance-like strains of Can's "Mother Sky", carrying around a gigantic cardboard effigy of Asher in the nude, torn between following her into a nightclub (which later became Madame JoJos, where ironically I used to work), seeking the sympathy of a bedridden prostitute, or buying repeated hotdogs (then a new sensation in the UK) from Burt Kwouk. It's this total and utter lack of linear sense to anything, and frustration at repetitive events, that we can all identify with, yet which Skolimowski manges to portray as something almost poetic.

The final scene is incredible- quite possibly one of the most tense, bizarre and unrealistic yet totally believable segments of a British production- but for those of you who haven't seen it, I'm not saying a word!! Suffice to say, you will be shocked and stunned.

Sadly, my copy of this is a bit pants- the sound is rather muffled and the picture isn't great either, so I'd go with Spliffy's if I were you. A film of this calibre should be appreciated properly.

themogwai

I just joined so I could find out what happened to this film! I snuck downstairs late at night cos I wanted to see it on TV - it was actually all quite innocent...I didn't know about the sex/nudity - all I wanted was to see it cos Paul McCartney's ex-fiancee was in it!! Unfortunately my parents came in about half way through and sent me to bed!!!

I've been looking for it for years and just nearly paid over £20 on ebay for it but thought I'd 'do a google' before I did.

So, here I am, a newbie! If anyone can help me find a copy of the film I'd be very grateful indeed.

MrT

I have a good copy of Deep End. if you're still looking. Send me a PM to arrange it

Best wishes
Mike (MrT)

themogwai

Hi there again - not sure I've got the hang of the PM thing here.

Mr T - are you there? I tried sending two messages. Sorry to use forum but any advice gratefully accepted.

DB7

http://www.britmovie.co.uk/forums/faq.php

MarcMorris

I have the ultra-rare original UK Capstan video release (circa 1984) - can copy to DVD-R if anybody is interested.

More info:
pre-cert.co.uk: Deep End, dir. Jerzy Skolimowski, Capstan

Nucleus Films:
DVD Releasing + Extras Production

Tom May

I would certainly be interested in getting a copy of this film; have been after it for years...

A Pemberton

Can anyone help me with a copy of DEEP END 1971 Jane Asher and a cameo from Diana Dors

Thank you