Purely Belter

Purely Belter - 2000 | 99 mins | Comedy, Drama | Colour

The Production Team

Director: Mark Herman.
Producer: Elizabeth Karlsen.
Script: Mark Herman. (based on the Jonathan Tulloch novel The Season Ticket)
Cinematography: Andy Collins.
Editing: Michael Ellis.
Production Design: Don Taylor.
Art Direction: Mark Kebby.
Costume Design: Jill Taylor.
Make-up Department: Vereonica Brebner and Marrisse Whittaker.
Sound Department: Clive Winter.
Music: Ian Broudie and Michael Gibbs.

The Cast

Charlie Hardwick - Mrs. McCarten
Tim Healy - Mr. McCarten
Roy Hudd - Mr. Sewell
Kevin Whately - Mr. Caird
Chris Beattie - Gerry McCarten
Greg McLane - Sewell
Jody Baldwin - Gemma

Plot Synopsis

This socially-aware comedy directed by Mark Herman is the story of two likeable Geordie youngsters desperately trying to raise funds for season tickets. Young actors Chris Beattie and Greg McLane produce touching performances, winning emotional sympathy with their cheeky, feisty energy. Tim Healy deserves special mention as the alcoholic villain of the piece prone to extreme acts of impulsive of violence. Purely Belter follows in the footsteps of Herman’s previously well received affectionate Northern-based comedies Brassed Off (1996) and Little Voice (1998).

A pair of obsessive Newcastle United fans resolve to earn the £2,000 they need to get a season ticket apiece for their beloved Magpies. Gerry is still at school and Sewell is unemployed, and the little money they do have usually goes on cigarettes, alcohol or glue. Realising that stopping smoking will not save them the hefty amount they need, the pair dream up a number of money-making schemes before graduating to shoplifting and bank robbery, until events take an unexpected turn.