Film Reviews by SM

This is an amazing trio of programmes that prove what a first class journalist David Frost was, if any proof were needed. These interviews give such insight into historical situations which have such bearing on the world as it is today. It is priceless to see Oswald Mosley squirm not only in the face of Frost but his studio audience too. It must have been one of the first instances of a studio audience being invited to participate in a live programme and it paints a wonderful picture of public feeling at the time.

These interviews really do show a side of history that a book never could. It was a delight to watch from start to finish and so informative and thought provoking.

This is still a funny programme, written and delivered brilliantly. It didn't fail to make me smile and laugh.

I would add that the option to turn off the canned laughter saved my life. It ruined the first couple of episodes for me as I didn't realise you could turn it off.

I have been reliably informed it was put on for the American broadcast to give the US audience a cue as to what they should find funny. The writing in this is so good you really don't need a prompt (and if you do for anything it's not worth laughing at). They didn't show it with the canned laughter when it was originally shown in the UK, which I was relieved to learn as that wasn't how I had remembered it.

I too recommend not reading it (I didn't until after I'd seen the film - phew!).

I would recommend not listening to a word it says. I wasn't expecting much from this film and loved it. I think that's all that needs to be said. No spoilers here!

The photography in this is amazing and the families and friends were very brave to speak on camera. I couldn't tear myself away from the screen. Despite all this I felt that there could have been more of an explanation as to what we were watching. It was hard to know who people were talking about. I felt the narrative didn't always match the person being shown on screen.

Maybe the family and friends didn't want the film of the individuals to be identified but I felt it was such a personal moment, the very end of someone's life, to be watching without knowing more. Maybe that was the point because nobody knows the full story when someone jumps off the Golden Gate Bridge.

This is a gripping film and a dark tale but I wouldn't call it a horror film; more of a thriller. The title 'horror' might put some people off and it's a film that deserves watching.

This series stands up to the test time and in so many ways is much better than it was when it was originally on TV. It's an incredible window into the world that was the early '80s; women having a career and juggling work for the first time; the rough streets of New York city that make today's New York appear so tame in comparison and the attitudes and fashions of the time. Mary Beth and Christine could walk down the street today and almost be the height of fashion so circuitous has it become.

The drama is still brilliant with great comedy and touching moments. The crime element is gripping but easily equalled by the stories of the personal lives of the characters. No wonder this series nearly spanned the decade.