BBC Shop
Entertaining. Informing. Inspiring.
FREE Shipping on orders over $100!
in
Or go to:
Browse:
Pennies From Heaven
Starring: Hywel Bennett , Kenneth Colley
Directed by: Piers Haggard
Produced by: Kenith Trodd
Written by: Dennis Potter
Part Everyman drama, part Busby Berkley spectacle, Pennies from Heaven follows the amorous and financial struggles of a sheet-music salesman, Arthur Parker, during the depression thirties in England.
Item Number: 12816
- Format:
- DVD Fullscreen
- Region:
- 1 - More Details
- Run time:
- About 8 3/4 hours
- Number of Discs:
- 3
- Special Features:
- Commentary by producer Kenith Trodd and director Piers Haggard
BAFTA® Awards
1979 - Most Original Television Program
1979 - Most Original Television Program
From Dennis Potter, the acclaimed writer of The Singing Detective, comes one of the BBC's most revered miniseries.
Unlike any other musical ever produced, Dennis Potter's Pennies from Heaven is a profound and personal statement on the liberating potential of the popular song.
Part Everyman drama, part Busby Berkley spectacle, Pennies from Heaven follows the amorous and financial struggles of a sheet-music salesman, Arthur Parker (Bob Hoskins), during the depression thirties in England. Despite the misfortunes he encounters, Arthur still believes that life can be like a song.
By juxtaposing the life-affirming qualities of big band music with the degrading realities enveloping Arthur - rape, prostitution, bankruptcy and homicide - Dennis Potter examines the resilience of the human spirit in the face of total humiliation.
Never before released on home video, Regarded as one of the best television programs ever produced, Pennies from Heaven has been lovingly restored for DVD and features an exclusive audio commentary with the director and producer.
Unlike any other musical ever produced, Dennis Potter's Pennies from Heaven is a profound and personal statement on the liberating potential of the popular song.
Part Everyman drama, part Busby Berkley spectacle, Pennies from Heaven follows the amorous and financial struggles of a sheet-music salesman, Arthur Parker (Bob Hoskins), during the depression thirties in England. Despite the misfortunes he encounters, Arthur still believes that life can be like a song.
By juxtaposing the life-affirming qualities of big band music with the degrading realities enveloping Arthur - rape, prostitution, bankruptcy and homicide - Dennis Potter examines the resilience of the human spirit in the face of total humiliation.
Never before released on home video, Regarded as one of the best television programs ever produced, Pennies from Heaven has been lovingly restored for DVD and features an exclusive audio commentary with the director and producer.
Much of the action takes place in beautiful Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire- boyhood home of Pennies From Heaven screenplay writer, Dennis Potter.
Cast
Arthur Parker.............................................Bob Hoskins
Eileen Everson..........................................Cheryl Campbell
Joan Parker..............................................Gemma Craven
Accordion Man.........................................Kenneth Colley
Mr. Warner..............................................Freddie Jones
Tom..........................................................Hywel Bennett
Major Archibald Paxville..........................Ronald Fraser
Police Inspector......................................Dave King
Segeant.................................................John Ringham
Conrad Baker…………………………………Nigel Havers
Production Credits
Written by………………………………………………..Dennis Potter
Produced by…………………………………………….Kenith Trodd
Directed by………………………………………………Piers Haggard
Arthur Parker.............................................Bob Hoskins
Eileen Everson..........................................Cheryl Campbell
Joan Parker..............................................Gemma Craven
Accordion Man.........................................Kenneth Colley
Mr. Warner..............................................Freddie Jones
Tom..........................................................Hywel Bennett
Major Archibald Paxville..........................Ronald Fraser
Police Inspector......................................Dave King
Segeant.................................................John Ringham
Conrad Baker…………………………………Nigel Havers
Production Credits
Written by………………………………………………..Dennis Potter
Produced by…………………………………………….Kenith Trodd
Directed by………………………………………………Piers Haggard
