Thatcher's Britain trapped in a bottle—then someone smashes it.
A view of the inhabitants of a derelict road in Manchester, unsatisfied with their lives and routines. A young man locks himself away from the world. An older woman flirts with a soldier on leave. Two men invite two girls into an empty house.
Direction
Clarke's unblinking long takes—no escape for anyone.
Acting
Horrocks and Dudgeon break your heart without asking.
Writing
Dunbar's dialogue: theatrical, brutal, strangely lyrical.
Director
Alan Clarke
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Part of BBC's 'Theatre 625' strand, Road helped define 'in-yer-face' theatre before the term existed. Clarke shot it in real Salford locations, though it's based on Jim Cartwright's stage play.
Jane Horrocks was 23, already stealing scenes. She'd reunite with Clarke for The Firm—he had a habit of finding actors who could make desperation sing.
GB
