When I saw this was available at Sutherland Libraries, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Just as back in 1980 I waited all week for the Sunday evening series on ABC. The 1972 novel may be a long read, but the film adaptation is excellent in every respect.
It is the story of young David Powlett-Jones, from a Welsh mining village, returning shell-shocked to a Britain still at war. As teachers are thin on the ground, although he is unqualified, he makes a favourable impression on Algy Herries the headmaster at Bamfylde School, and is employed as History Master. He is passionate about the inequalities of society - between the moneyed classes and his own folk in the Welsh valleys, struggling on a miner's wage, under awful conditions. He soon wins the total respect of the boys and masters. Common Room conversations reflect the social conditions of the times - this is balanced by charming insights into his personal life, his marriage to Beth, his passions and tragedies, his hot-headed idealism.
As is usual with BBC productions, the characters are perfectly cast, especially Ellie Herries, the kind and wise Head's wife, and the English master and David's mentor Howarth. The story spans his working lifetime as we see "PJ" mature into the much-loved headmaster of a school he has served for so long. You must admire the (then) young Yorkshire actor John Duttine for his perfect mastery of the Welsh accent - all cleft chin and smouldering eyes. You really believe you have met the characters personally, and been there in Devon with them.
I hope you are as rapt as I was!
JS
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