The making of Rita, Sue and Bob Too: "It was a much more cavalier time" | BFI

Rita, Sue and Bob Too, Alan Clarke's film about two teenage girls from Bradford who start an affair with an older man, was released 30 years ago. To celebrate, the film-makers, including stars George Costigan, Michelle Holmes and Kulvinder Ghir, attended a Q&A at London's BFI Southbank and talked about how the film, which was written by Andrea Dunbar, came about via a culture of on set risk-taking.
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[@absoluteacw]

One of the best British movies of the 1980s. It was as close to reality as they could achieve.

[@leeetchells609]

@TheGooners11 it's still like that only they have phones and flat screen t.vs.

[@johnnyjabsco1999]

TheGooners11 I have worked on the Buttershaw estate where it was filmed. I have worked on all the council estates around Bradford. Buttershaw was actually one of the better ones.

[@philipperry7946]

@@leeetchells609 northerners live in caves dude , no reception for phones in caves lol

[@chrisfbklhhjc]

@TheGooners11 still is a fact of life for many in 2020

[@matty6848]

@@philipperry7946 and some southerners live in London the biggest crime ridden shithole in the U.K.

[@LALakersNornIron]

The film is brilliant but sadly for a variety of reasons could never be made today. George Costigan I will say also is a hugely underrated actor.

[@zeddeka]

"sadly" ? The film is basically about a predatory man preying on underage schoolgirls. I hope very much that such a film isnt necessary today. The 80s were absolutely terrible for that kind of thing

[@shugorchoudhury5376]

I’m a British Asian and started secondary school in 1989. Films like this are cornerstones in British culture and shows us how life was in the 80’s. It’s absolutely hilarious but the sad truth is today’s world would never have the balls to make such a film. I’m so lucky to have seen this near the time it was made and as a 46 year old I absolutely adore how it has stood the test of time 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@zeddeka]

Hopefully today's world have no such need to make a film like this. Its basically about a predatory paedophile (Bob) preying in underage school girls - something that was far too common back then.

[@scarlettroger1508]

Reminds me of my childhood. I was born and bred on a Manchester council estate 55 years ago, and the film is so accurate it gives me goosebumps whenever I watch it. Brilliantly observed by Andrea Dunbar at such a young age.

[@campfreddy3547]

Andrea Dunbar great writer of a classic British Film,It's a shame she passed so young. Me and people my age still recite the film word for word,absolute classic."Can you handle the two of us,you bet your boots I can"! Lol.

[@GrimeyBeatzz]

Apparently the studio re-wrote large parts and changed the ending. She wasn’t happy with how the film turned out

[@KeithDeley]

Passed what,

[@nowimfollowingu3925]

It is my favourite British movie ever. Hilarious and accurate.

[@ollylewin]

They captured Britain so god damn well. I wonder if they knew they were making such a cult classic when they were making it? Excellent film. Excellent.

[@kevinharker1840]

Didn't it just! along with Scum and Kes.

[@MegaGordyboy]

fantastic performance by all especially the drunk dad,so funny.

[@stephendawe9145]

gordy mc FOOK IT!

[@peternedsmith]

The dad was Willy Ross, brilliant actor, it's not easy to play a pisshead properly, also see him in "our friends in the north" episode one, it's on youtube

[@Lionboy2930]

Well said.... saw him at the Crucible in Sheffield just after the film was released...funny guy

[@superbrit3845]

Michelle Holmes, what a set of bangers she has on her, magnificent.

[@mooseing22]

'Ooh it's like a frozen sausage'. Great cast & script.

[@Chalkster1]

They couldn’t make a film like this today

[@stenchosmells]

The pc brigade would have a field day

[@chriszanf]

@@stenchosmells Oh fuck off the pair of you. Films like this get made all the time but youre both too glued to watching shit that youve seen over and over before to bother going out and finding them

[@markmitchell2282]

Because it’s about a 40 something-year-old paedophile hanging around schools trying to get young girls to abscond so he can molest them on the moors

[@marccherry7409]

.

[@peekeyeseek]

@@chriszanf 🤣🤣🤣

[@juliearch1]

gone too soon..legendary young writer..wish she'd lived longer RIP Andrea..thanks for what you have left to us.....didn't live where you lived in Thatchers time where you were had a rough life... no comparison but also had a rough life..thanks for your perspective and great writing xx RIP Andrea

[@MPsNewswatch]

"Go on Bob, get stuck in there!"

[@waynegoldpig2220]

"He can't half go like t'clappers!"

[@BarbaraJV1]

His legs aren’t ‘arf hairy thaw 😂😂

[@oranjelibertine]

Not been to Bradford for years....last time was there was in the National Film and TV museum. Can't remember a Rita, Sue & Bob Too section. Shame! Love this film

[@ladylove3636]

She tried to tell us. Such an important film. Shame the ending didn't fit what she said, but the school uniforms, all the shouting, the betting slips & lack of homework are just how I remember it too x

[@kevinhanson4703]

Final line in the film "You took ya fucking time "

[@garywalling4341]

'Make your own fucking tea' classic, still use it today. That Bob, 'Can't half go like clappers'

[@colh5910]

"Are we having a jump Bob? "

[@matty6848]

Shame the best Actor and the man who made the film Willie Ross is not there.. RIP Willie.

[@BeasleyStreet]

it was a quality northern gritty, true to real life film,as were the kitchen sink 60's films and there like, if ever proof were needed that the genre still has a place today.

[@merlinmediagroup]

Still some great British filmmakers still flying the social realist flag, like Andrea Arnold, Lynne Ramsay, Shane Meadows, Clio Barnard, Guy Myhill, Andrew Haigh, Aaron Dunleavy, Luna Carmoon, Richard Billingham, Daniel Wolfe, Francis Lee, etc. Some great stuff from outside the UK too from the likes of Sean Baker, Destin Daniel Cretton, and Andrea Pallaoro.

[@BOUNCERBABE]

Completely agree. Not much has changed lol

[@marje8249]

Love this film and the story behind it . Thanks for uploading this ☺️

[@ChrisWrightOM1]

I spent a couple of evenings with Willie Ross in around 1993, when he was in a play at West Yorkshire Playhouse. Hugely entertaining character. I was a stand-up comedian at the time: he saw my act and was quite complimentary. I asked how I'd go down in the Working Men's Clubs and he replied, "Aw, ye'd die a horrible death, son." On another occasion, I asked what had happened to his eye, and he said, "What the fuck's it got to do with you?" Someone else mentioned his role in Our Friends In The North: Willie was a talented and underrated actor.

[@ThecovertCustomer]

One of my fave films! Takes me right back to my youth haha. Everyone knew people like that.

[@davieleerio]

My most favourite film ever!!

[@gravydavy4188]

The rover SD1 v8 was an awesome car and the Yamaha RD350 was awesome too.

[@stewartclough4866]

Kenny Roberts Special

[@adamwatson2914]

It’s not a proper reunion without the Rita actress and the actress who played Bob’s wife

[@lizzieanne81]

God I remember watch this when I was about 8 late at nite on Ch 4 back in the good old days very good movie

[@lesblack8996]

Didn't even realise it was 'Bob' in 'Line of Duty' a few years ago. He's a great actor, wonderful voice.

[@tomwilson8607]

alan clarke put the spirit in to this

[@benellis7186]

George Costigan does a brilliant Everton podcast with his brother Andy and Paul a fellow blue ,his rants are epic 😂

[@flatracingguruuk1160]

The Dad- Where the Fuck have you been to this fucking time in the Morning.

[@frankbing1]

One of the funniest films I’ve ever seen, “any ow, fuck it I’m going ta bed”

[@gavhinds8190]

Lmao..

[@rnw2739]

The mum was funny as fuck too... "If that teacher wants you to make fucking buns, tell her to give ya't money!!"

[@Sunshine123x]

Well you took ya fooking timmmeeee!!!!

[@heliotropezzz333]

I remember watching George Costigan when he was an actor in The Everyman Theatre in Liverpool in the 1970s. I thought he was good then.

[@olliewhitehead]

best film, ever...

[@stephendawe9145]

ollie meowir I thought I were greeatt!

[@fatyowls]

This and kes hit top spot together..

[@foreversingle1975]

Got it on dvd. Brilliant film

[@bagremhosvacoco6055]

Michelle Holmes has not changed a lot from her Goodnight Sweetheart days

[@chrisfbklhhjc]

Brilliant film. Cant make such great comedy any more sadly.

[@Synthematix]

30 years ago wow

[@stephendawe9145]

Synthematix hm,good drugs then too!

[@stephendawe9145]

I thought I were greeatt!

[@Kiltoonie]

You were crap. Good crap, though.

[@09weenic]

Stephen Dawe You bet your boots I will !😆

[@PlasticGirl65]

He used the same Johnny twice 🤢

[@BeasleyStreet]

the legend just increases ...wow what an insight!

[@Kiltoonie]

Legends all.

[@essexandy189]

Loved it along with Party Party 2 great British films

[@paulfrancis7979]

just by coincidence, reading biog scrapbook on Clarkie - excellent!

[@stephendawe9145]

Paul Francis I thought it were great!

[@kessiaparanormal5494]

Brilliant film, absolutely love it.

[@LightLife4]

The last line in the film has me laughing constantly 🤣

[@Porche2009]

Absolutely the best movie ever' so brassy and lively' love the Northen folk thy are so original down to earth and friendly.

[@codervince7843]

didnt realise Ghir was such a comedian :)

[@mrbrown2186]

Well he was on the comedy sketch show 'Goodness Gracious Me' for 20+ years, the Van wilder sequel and recently on the open all hours reboot so he has good roots in comedy.

[@mirror11011]

Make your own F @#$ing T! 😂...

[@fatwalletboy2]

Wouldnt get made today so thank you for this little gem of a movie. Costigan playing the cock sure Bob just so funny.....

[@sanfordcurtis8242]

Surprised that the interviewer’s chair is still intact.

[@lancashirebomber9744]

proper actors

[@gavhinds8190]

I would love to see this whole reunion..

[@Sunshine123x]

Great film watched it tons ! A classic

[@lemcakes32422]

Michelle Holmes is beautiful. Liked the new modern remake of it at the theatre was good update casting Taj Atwal

[@modmutha8608]

Watch me bleedin ornaments

[@gavhinds8190]

They're alright

[@luismachado2572]

Watching it now on 4

[@CommonSense111]

Good times I remember having three girls on the go like Rita and Sue, couldn’t manage it now!

[@SUPERLEEDSYRA]

Any chance of the rest of it been posted?

[@johnappleby405]

Michelle Holmes is still brilliant!

[@dannyp1231]

Where can you watch the full thing? Does anyone know?

[@birdyfilovingheart6365]

Yes it's here on KZbin. Enjoy 😊

[@dannyp1231]

But this seems like only a section of it?

[@laddersman]

its like a frozen Sausage lol .

[@G3n3r4t0r1111]

willy ross as the Dad made the film best drunk ever

[@bazzbazzley]

Wonderfully funny film unfairly mauled by the critics.

[@stephendawe9145]

Fabian Jollywigs was it mauled,really? Fook it!

[@CB-xr1eg]

Fuck the critics!

[@philmellor4885]

Dont remember it getting a kicking. Reviews i read back when it came out liked it a lot.

[@fitman42]

dont remember anybody mauling it , everyone loved it

[@sratus]

Who mauled it? Bollocks mate

[@Bonafidebone]

Watched this for the first time recently, quite disturbing storyline.

[@Domdeone1]

Love the kiss on the microphone at 0.45 Maybe she wants a jump lol.

[@DistantCousin]

I was at this Q & A, which went on for half an hour. Any reason why the full session wasn't uploaded here? :)

[@gavhinds8190]

I'd love to have seen the full show..one the best British films ever.

[@gavhinds8190]

BTW where was it and how much did it cost..

[@DistantCousin]

@@gavhinds8190 it was at the BFI (British Film Institute) in London. Was probably about £20

[@gavhinds8190]

@@DistantCousin thanks for that quick reply..I love that film..I could watch it over n over n never get bored..we went from Derbyshire up to the moors and found the locations and bobs house in baildon thanks GAV..

[@jasonwaters8276]

I love this movie

[@lesblack8996]

Where's Siobhan Finneran?

[@Enforcer1984]

Gutted the writer died in 1990 she was writing a sequal apparently.

[@eddierollinson1440]

You went 1st last time 😂

[@chris-w4n9w]

In my top 5

[@gavhinds8190]

Where's rita....?.

[@TYspecials]

She was caught shagging Bob, again!

[@stephendawe9145]

gav hinds playing wi Bob!

[@CB-xr1eg]

Except that Bob was sat on the end!

[@davidmacgregor5193]

Rita's either in Benidorm or Happy Valley.

[@mojothepyruttleworthy3270]

In - happy valley- very good in it too

[@OriginalSkaMan]

Classic 80s movie

[@thierrydevant7690]

Love the movie, real.

[@edmundblackaddercoc8522]

'Shoots is muck, you'ed say'

[@LJ-ze6ro]

The other actress is missing who played the other girl ...great actress

[@zeddeka]

Even now, so many people dont pick up on what the film is actually about - a predatory older paedo preying on schoolgirls. It says a lot about social attitudes in the 80s that it was turned into a comedy. A lot of people in the comments ssying it's "sad" films like this aren't made now. I hope very much there is no need to and that we have advanced. The 80s were an absolutely terrible era for child protection.

[@baliksupper6043]

I thought I were Great!!!

[@MANTLEBERG]

Mahhnd mi ornaments....ther all reyt..

[@MsErikdeking]

Mind me bleedin' ornaments!

[@paultidswell6290]

And Where the fuc##nhell have you been

[@stephendawe9145]

paul tidswell shaggin ont Moors!

[@rnw2739]

@@CB-xr1eg What d'ya think you're fucking playing at?!!!

[@mt10sprd350lc]

I was there we found there camra they lost and went to shop for beer for them but only sent us to get us off the set as this was the baildon moor crue all us kids were up there

[@charliemagri1669]

A fantastic film but fantastic people too. What else can you add to 200 odd comments. I wasn't the first. Says something.

[@gavhinds8190]

Can either of you put a durex on....WHATS A DUREX..

[@Filmmaker809]

And the BFI have no concept about this.

[@jasonwaters8276]

Who was it that passed away at 29

[@tobysmith8697]

jason waters Andrea Dunbar

[@gavhinds8190]

The author to the story

[@adamgregory5274]

Never mind Ta Ra,just get gone!

[@JasonTaylor-q5u]

"I thought I were great"

[@bazzbazzley]

Max Stafford Clark - another genius hung out to dry on the washing line of women's bra's.

[@tomqelectronica]

am takking em

[@petergreen2552]

Get your own fuckin' tea!!

[@Jimmy_Sandwiches]

I’ve done some things

[@PaKi-VeLLi]

@@Tweeterandthemonkeyman 😂😂

[@humansrants1694]

Go on bob

[@mistofoles]

So where are the actors ?

[@satchfan2010]

On the stage.

[@michaelgrace1298]

Where do you think they are?

[@angiehazelaar]

mistofoles what????

[@kevcatnip7589]

@@satchfan2010 it isnt obvious who is who,,,no intros etc

[@satchfan2010]

But they are all the actors. The question was asked ''where are the actors'' not ''who are the actors''?

[@wildandbarefoot]

Still a Class Act. Lol.

[@fuzzy1237]

Is it wholemeal pizza?

[@under-one-flag]

I've done sum things

[@LJ-ze6ro]

Funny film

[@wesmander]

Michelle Holmes is still red hot

[@cityslicker6079]

Siobhan is to love her xxxx

[@1979jon]

The guy on the right is being counter blanced on the bench by all them.

[@positivityandpeace4718]

The most scummiest film and true to white culture film made