sirduke1
If you're looking for a film about football, steer clear of this one! However, if you want to relive those adolescent days of excessive and obsessive behavior, this is what you're looking for. I'm not saying that if you're a football buff then you should avoid this, rather, don't look for technical merit in the accuracy of the soccer content. After all, we all know that Tottenham Hotpsur star "Glen" doesn't spell his name "Hoddlle" don't we? I have no interest in football whatsoever, but I could relate to the central characters totally. This is more than a little thanks to the superb acting of child prodigies Zoë Nathenson , Sara Sugarman, Cathy Murphy and Liz Campion. A reassuring cameo appearance by Danny Blanchflower himself, adds to the sweet ambiance of the picture. To complete the whole scenario, there's Julia McKenzie, and Peter Tilbury with their portrayal of "60s middle class marital and parental psyche" The story revolves around Julia (Nathenson) and her adoration of everything "Spurs" and, in particular, Danny Blanchflower. This being set during the 1960/61 season in which Spurs made their way to winning the first "double" (League and FA cups) of the 20th century.I first saw it on its original transmission by Channel 4 in 1984 and didn't see it again till last night when I watched the DVD. It hadn't lost any of its magic! Many films that are made years later than when they are set seem to have a transparency that lets you see clearly styles and fashions of the period they are made in. What I mean is, a film made 20 years after the "set" always tends to be an "amalgam" of the two periods (Mk3 Cortinas on the road in Quadrophenia and 1960s hairstyles in Battle of Britain to give two examples.) Those Glory Glory Days doesn't suffer this affliction.It's a well made film with an interesting plot line. What more do you need?
ianlouisiana
Julie Burchill,columnist,author,playwright,well-known in the UK for her trenchant views on almost everything wrote this autobiographical play about growing up as a middle-class Jewish girl in North London.It starts with Ms Burchill in the Press Box at White Hart Lane failing signally to be taken seriously as a football reporter in that all-male preserve. Leaving the ground in a despondent mood she is nearly run over by ex-Spurs captain Danny Blanchflower who drives her back to the Daily Express building in Fleet Street (known in the trade as "The Black Lubyanka".During the journey she opens her heart to mr Blanchflower on whom she had had a serious crush 20 - odd years previously. "Those Glory Glory years" was shown on BBC TV as one of the "First Love" series 26 years ago.It is the sweet,sad story of Julia,gawky,bespectacled teenage football fan and her love affair with Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Her obsession gets her into trouble at home and at school,and ultimately,she steals tickets for the Cup Final from a friend's father. It helps your enjoyment of the movie if you understand the fierce pride of the true football fan,the lure of the magic League and Cup "Double", and the intenseness of a young girl's love. There are some fascinating scenes from the 1961 Cup Final courtesy of Pathe News,and the era is perfectly evoked. The whole thing is sad and funny by turns,beautifully observed and exquisitely performed. I feel it is an injustice that it is not better known.
kerriehitchcock
I remember watching this on Channel 4 when i was young.I really loved it and I watched it so many times that i knew it word for word and even started to eat brown sauce with every meal.unfortunately the video tape wore out years ago.As a Tottenham supporter I may be a little biased but I think that this is a wonderful film reflecting on the days when football was at it greatest,and watching it through the eyes of a young girl gave an insight to how life really was like in the 1960s.I would certainly recommend to anyone that they watch this film regardless of which team they support.I am trying to find a copy of this film and I look forward to watching it again with my own children.
kevin c
What can I say. A film about supporting 'by far the greatest team the world has ever seen', and one of the finest players ever to pull on a lillywhite shirt.Aside from my bias, it's a little British movie that only GB can make. Touching and funny, it perfectly captures the joy and pain of being a teenager.Bring back Monday lunchtime FA Cup draws.
AD
