"Contact" by AFN Clarke

[ssupersixfour]

While off sick the other day I was clearing out some old videos.

I came across a film called 'Contact' based on the book by AFN Clarke (which I've not read, BTW). The film is based around the experiences of a para subbie in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

The recording was very old, I reckon late 80s at a guess.

The film was quite gripping to watch, and while I can't comment on the veracity or not of the events it portrays, it certainly had enough in to keep me interested in watching all the way through.....

....which I can't do as the recording cuts out before the end! POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT - it cuts out just after the patrol captures the gun-runners who have hidden in a house after being attacked by the patrol while swappping rifles over from 1 car to another.

I've tried looking for a copy on Ebay etc but had no joy, perhaps not surprisingly.

I'd be keen to see the whole film all the way through: does anyone by any chance have any input or ideas that might help?

 

[HS12]

I recorded it when it was shown on TV, BBC2 I think. I'm sure I've still got it at home somewhere.

Unfortunately not watched it for sometime, so don't remember what happened to the 'gun-runners.'


HS12

 

[DrStealth]

i'v been trying to get hold of 'contact' for a while, anyone know if its available on DVD anywhere?

 

[spike7451]

That's the one I have been racking my bucket over for ages!
Cheers...

 

[TheLordFlasheart]

This subject came up a while ago. From what I can remember, it's never gone on to official DVD release but I think a couple of home made DVD's ended up on EBay or Amazon. I remember watching it when it came out and it would be interesting to watch it again. Anyone gets a copy on DVD, give me a shout.

 

[HS12]

Yep, I've found my copy. It's on VHS and rather grainy. The sound is a bit distorted too from watching it numerous times, when I was a cadet.

Started watching it last night. Then Mrs HS12 got home.

HS12

 

[ssupersixfour]

Yep, I've found my copy. It's on VHS and rather grainy. The sound is a bit distorted too from watching it numerous times, when I was a cadet.

Started watching it last night. Then Mrs HS12 got home.

HS12

Have you got a full copy?

 

[HS12]

Yes as far as I remember. Going to watch it in full this weekend to confirm.

 

[Skinn_Full]

Have read the book, its pretty short, I knew there was a video but have never seen it. I pretty sure that there's no (or very little) talking/dialogue in the film, is this true???

Cheers Easy!

 

[ssupersixfour]

Yes as far as I remember. Going to watch it in full this weekend to confirm.

Any chance of making a copy? Obviously I will pay all costs.

 

[HS12]

Ssupersixfour

Check your PMs mate.

HS12

 

[coax-on]

Don't they gun them down - the gun runners

 

[camolynx]

This subject came up a while ago. From what I can remember, it's never gone on to official DVD release but I think a couple of home made DVD's ended up on EBay or Amazon. I remember watching it when it came out and it would be interesting to watch it again. Anyone gets a copy on DVD, give me a shout.

you can actually but the book from here

http://www.lostbooks.net/cgi-bin/lbn455/25744.html

as for the video this is the only connection i cold find .
http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/439385/index.html

Contact (BBC tx. 6/1/1985)

Also some information regarding mr clarke

http://www.anthonyclarkebooks.com/contact.html

 

[old_bloke]

Was this the book where He talks about his men asking strange questions re their marrages and the very strange episode with the ex SSSShh man fighting a badger to the death in hand to claw combat. Killing said badger, carring it on the patrol for a day or so and than shitting on the ex badgers head?

If so I was a very dull book.

 

[TheLordFlasheart]

you can actually but the book from here

http://www.lostbooks.net/cgi-bin/lbn455/25744.html

as for the video this is the only connection i cold find .
http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/439385/index.html

Contact (BBC tx. 6/1/1985)

Fuck off troll.

 

[ssupersixfour]

you can actually but the book from here

http://www.lostbooks.net/cgi-bin/lbn455/25744.html

as for the video this is the only connection i cold find .
http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/439385/index.html

Contact (BBC tx. 6/1/1985)

Fuck off troll.

Bit harsh, isn't it?

 

[TheLordFlasheart]

you can actually but the book from here

http://www.lostbooks.net/cgi-bin/lbn455/25744.html

as for the video this is the only connection i cold find .
http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/439385/index.html

Contact (BBC tx. 6/1/1985)

Fuck off troll.

Bit harsh, isn't it?

No. Read through her previous usernames and you will agree. I do not wish to drag this thread off topic.

 

[camolynx]

you can actually but the book from here

http://www.lostbooks.net/cgi-bin/lbn455/25744.html

as for the video this is the only connection i cold find .
http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/439385/index.html

Contact (BBC tx. 6/1/1985)

Fuck off troll.

There is no excuse for flashys bad manners. Unfortunately flashy as astonishingly bad manners and don’t seem to realise this

please excuse his out burst as usual

 

[Archimedes]

Back on topic....

A couple of years back, several inmates at Shrivenham enquired about the availability of a Video or DVD of the film. The Staff College librarian enquired with the BBC and was told something to the effect of 'Well, for you, sir, we'll do a special rate of £300* for putting it on DVD if you really want it.'

(*£150 less than if a civilian library had asked for it, apparently!)

 

[Mr_Logic]

I read this sometime around the late 1980s I think. I am sure that it was based (don't know how closely) on the author's experiences in NI. I am sure that the author became a playwright or director but died aged early 40s. He death was shortly after I read the book which is when the BBC showed the fim version and probably why I remember it. The book wasn't memorable enough for me to retain copy though.

My memory for this sort of thing is normally pretty good but I may be confusing myself, I was dropped on the head as a small child, etc...