Up the Junction (film)
| Up the Junction | |
|---|---|
 Original British 1968 quad film poster | |
| Directed by | Peter Collinson |
| Produced by |
John Brabourne Anthony Havelock-Allan |
| Screenplay by | Roger Smith |
| Based on |
Up the Junction by Nell Dunn |
| Starring |
Dennis Waterman Suzy Kendall Adrienne Posta Maureen Lipman Liz Fraser |
| Music by |
Mike Hugg Manfred Mann |
Production company |
BHE Films Crasto |
| Distributed by | Paramount Film Service (UK) |
Release date |
|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Up the Junction is a 1968 British film directed by Peter Collinson and starring Dennis Waterman, Suzy Kendall, Adrienne Posta, Maureen Lipman and Liz Fraser. It is based on the 1963 book of the same name by Nell Dunn and was adapted by Roger Smith. The film's soundtrack was made by Manfred Mann. The film followed Ken Loach's BBC TV adaptation of 1965, but returned to the original book. It did not cause a similar controversy or have as much impact.
Plot summary
Wealthy young heiress Polly Dean (Suzy Kendall) gives up a privileged life in Chelsea and moves to a working-class community in Battersea, where she takes a job in a confectionery factory in an attempt to distance herself from her moneyed upbringing and make her own living. She becomes friends with two working-class sisters, Sylvie (Maureen Lipman) and Rube (Adrienne Posta). Rube becomes pregnant and has a traumatic illegal abortion. Tragedy then strikes when Rube's boyfriend Terry (Michael Gothard) is killed in a motorcycle accident.
Meanwhile, Polly begins a relationship with a working-class boy named Pete (Dennis Waterman). Pete envies Polly's access to an easy life, and is frustrated by her rejection of the upper-class lifestyle. Pete and Polly's relationship ends in turmoil when Pete, after stealing a car in an attempt to woo Polly, is caught and sentenced to a prison term.
Main cast
- Suzy Kendall as Polly
- Dennis Waterman as Pete
- Maureen Lipman as Sylvie
- Adrienne Posta as Rube
- Liz Fraser as Mrs. McCarthy
- Linda Cole as Pauline
- Doreen Herrington as Rita
- Jessie Robins as Lil
- Barbara Archer as May
- Ruby Head as Edith
- Susan George as Joyce
- Sandra Williams as Sheilah
- Michael Robbins as Figgins
- Michael Gothard as Terry
- Billy Murray as Ray
- Michael Standing as John
- Alfie Bass as Charlie
- Aubrey Morris as Creely
- Hylda Baker as Winnie
- Shaun Curry as Ted
- Olwen Griffiths as Fat Lil
- Queenie Watts as Mrs. Hardy
- Lockwood West as Magistrate
- Michael Barrington as Barrister
- Yvonne Manners as Hotel Receptionist
- Harry Hutchinson as Hotel Porter
- Larry Martyn as Barrow Boy
- Derek Ware as Ted's Friend
- Mike Reid as Policeman outside courtroom (uncredited)
External links
- Up the Junction in the British Film Institute's "Explore film..." database
- Up the Junction on IMDb