8mm Forum: Can somebody identify a film, please?

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Posted by Melvin England (Member # 5270) on May 18, 2018, 05:15 PM:

I once saw a film on TV many many years ago,and never seen again, but it has stuck in my mind all this time and hope that somebody could identify it for me,please?

I do not know the title or who was in it. It would have been classed as a British New Wave film as it was shot in,most likely, the late 60's or early 70's and is one of these films that uses bog standard British locations such as a genuine semi-detached house instead of a studio ( a bit like Clockwise if that helps).

Anyway, the plot was something like this.....
Based in a British suburban semi-detached house and was the story of Mother and Father and two early 20's daughters. The mother was one of those manipulating control freak types who think they have a devine right to control all those around them. Is it known as "passive agressive"? She is not a violent person at all, just behaves as if her way / opinions are the only ones that matter. Daughter #1 is still at home.Downtrodden personality,no boyfriend, completely under her domineering Mother's thumb. Daughter #2 has obviously got a more head strong personality as she has escaped her Mother's clutches, is married with children,lives elsewhere, and the film is really about the conflict between daughter #2 and her mum as she refuses to conform to the control and manipulation. Because of this, Mother sees her as the horrible / nasty / problem child.
One classic scene is when #2 visits with her children. All is well at first, then #1 expresses her wish to do something, Mother puts the slammers on it which provokes #2 to react vocally, and Mother tries to manipulate her grand-children to her own defence by trying to make out what a horrible mummy they have because she is raising her voice. Of course, all hell then breaks loose.

Does it jog any memories? I would love to know what the film is called and who starred in it? Am I pushing it a little to hope it has ever been released on 8mm or 16mm ?

Thanks.

Posted by Allan Broadfield (Member # 2298) on May 19, 2018, 03:25 AM:

If it wasn't for the semi detatched house it would sound similar to 'The Anniversary' 1968, with Bette Davis as the domineering mother. Sheila Hancock also featured.

Posted by Melvin England (Member # 5270) on May 19, 2018, 04:13 PM:

Allan, it is not that one, but thanks for responding. The Anniversary is described as a British black comedy.
The one I am referring to definitely wasn't. It was one of those serious films that concentrated on human relationships between conflicting personalities within a family....why they have evolved the way they have..... and how they have reached the present position.More a dialogue orientated film than one full of storyline.

Maybe one day it will reappear and I will be able to report it here..

.

Posted by Terry Sills (Member # 3309) on May 25, 2018, 02:55 PM:

Was the domineering mother played by Peggy Mount? She often took on that role, not just as a mother, but quite often as the wife of your worst dreams. [Big Grin]

Posted by Melvin England (Member # 5270) on May 25, 2018, 05:23 PM:

Terry - It wasn't Peggy Mount.Her character persona was usually loud, in your face, battle-axe. This mother had fair hair with a sort of Dot Cotton (from Eastenders) type of personality.

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