ZX Spectrum Genius Trilogy - Clive Sinclair, Matthew Smith and Joffa Smith | Kim Justice

A special box set video of Kim Justice documentaries featuring three of the brilliant minds that defined the ZX Spectrum. The Real Sir Clive Sinclair goes into detail on the Speccy's creator, while the documentaries on Matthew Smith and Joffa Smith go into the work of the two brilliant and eccentric geniuses behind games such as Jet Set Willy, Green Beret, Manic Miner, Cobra and Hyper Sports just to name a few
0:00 The REAL Sir Clive Sinclair: Portable TV's, Black Watches and C5's
39:15 The Story and Games of Jonathan "Joffa" Smith, ZX Spectrum Genius
1:35:00 From Manic Miner to Jet Set Willy: The Story and Games of Matthew Smith
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#retrogaming #zxspectrum

[@edd259]

Kim your channel is a wonderful esoteric corner of the internet

[@stevesstuff1450]

I know it's an older video now, but this is one of a series of absolutely fabulous documentaries that I've recently found on this channel; quite stunning! 😉👍

[@raijin2950]

These full length documentaries are fantastic and very bingeable.

[@UNIRockLIVE]

Inspiring amount of detail, dedication, and creativeness. Ive been going through a hard time but you've helped me get back on my feet with your videos. Thank you

[@BhindiBhaji888]

I really enjoyed this, not just the history but your narrative. Bravo

[@thepumpkingking8339]

Don't know about anyone else, but I've thought for years that Matthew Smith, should be added to the UK Honours List. For his contribution to the UK games industry. As I don't know any Speccy fan who has not played Manic Miner or Jet Set Willy.

[@simonoleary9264]

Probably a better choice than "Sir Arnold Businessman", to quote classic Spitting Image.

[@thepumpkingking8339]

@@simonoleary9264 To quote Alexander Armstrong in the BBC's Mico Men ( Approx 1:04 ) " Clive Sinclair, the Man who Brought you Jet Set F#$*ing Willy" Matthew Smith All the Way Dude... Clive Marles Sinclair was knighted in way back in 1983 this is 2021.. Time for the real Spectrum Guy to brought up to the plate and be honoured for his contribution.

[@jmp01a24]

Kim is back doing what (s)he can best: Documentaries of the 80s. Or documentary in general I should say. Thumbs up!

[@SophiaNyx]

Been a fan for years, Kim! I'm a huge fan of historical deep dives about the gaming industry and yours are always S-tier so thanks for being so brilliant!

[@bumble1057]

I have no idea why you are not a massive youtuber, please keep at - it has to come.

[@jmp01a24]

almost 70k subscribers is massive imo. I have mb 10 followers and I am a fucking genius.

[@davidbentley4195]

Because IT is a freak.

[@michaelphillips1095]

What a fascinating video. You're extremely good at these Kim. Fascinating viewing beautifully presented 😊

[@stevenmeiklejohn4501]

The journalistic quality (not to mention the sheer entertainment value) of your videos is genuinely astonishing. It must require so much work. For what it’s worth, I think you’re a “Joffa level” creator. Long may you continue.

[@DigitalCryptGames]

Quality video from start to finish. As always, Kim provides top tier content here!

[@AudieHolland]

Hello Kim, Your documentaries, features on classic games developers and games from the golden age of gaming are really high quality entertainment! I especially love the ones you have done on Commodore 64 and Amiga developers because those were the computers I grew up with. Perhaps you would do a feature on Archer Maclean? I don't know a lot about him but he is responsible for a few very good games which were also megahits (Dropzone, IK, IK+, etc.). Would you otherwise do one on Andrew Braybrook? Thanks so much for your great work. The one about Sensible Software was the best in my opinion.

[@rinner2801]

It feels cozy here. I like it.

[@robinbrowne5419]

Double Thumbs Up. ❤ Kim. So infomative and funny at the same time. I especially liked the clip of Electro Boom giving himself an electro-static discharge :-) PS - If you ever do meet Sir Clive, you should ask him if he has ever played Skool Daze. That might give him a chuckle.

[@mikeyandwho]

This is a classic Kim box set. Just sublime.

[@50factsabout]

Cheers Kim, always love a KJ docu. Guess I know what to watch for the next few hours :)

[@myun7853]

"dark lord jack tramiel" lmao

[@andyhodgson7692]

41:45 I like how it shakes like a Roobarb and Custard cartoon.

[@scottieburr]

Hi Kim, this is SO GOOD. been watching you for a few years now, found you through my fascination with Sinclair. Just watched this in whole, what can I say, Its just brilliant, your presentaiton style is captivating, couple with your dry sense of humour and sheer passion for the subject, its just so watchable. Even my wife thinks you are funny and she hate watching this shit! never knew about Joffa, going to go down that rabbit hole now. thanks...

[@waysilentbob6976]

Hey Kim, I’d love to see your take on Mike Singleton. Everyone remembers Lords of Midnight, but I also used to love Midwinter. Death Stranding gave me quite a Midwinter vibe. The solitary nature at least. 10 years since he died next year!

[@Jon_David77]

Yes! what a great idea :-)

[@markveganism5003]

Some times I can forget that it all started for me wirh the spectrum ,when I made the swap to atari st ...the spectrum was fast forgotten. But know I do look back and fully appreciate the zx spectrum now ...the colours ,the sound ,the graphics ,the tape ,the noise of loading ,the music in game ...it was a great system and for its time ..it was an imagination grabber ..now I'm amiga 1200 and retro pie..love my gaming journey. Great vid kim as always 👌

[@dr.rubrickindigo4134]

incredible channel, very happy for the discovery

[@raggersragnarsson6255]

I love rewatching these vids again and again due to the quality and content.

[@TheStuffMade]

This is really high quality content. Thanks.

[@chaoslab]

An Acorn vs Sinclair pub brawl? Now that sounds like some computing history. :-)

[@sinicalypse]

I'm pulling for martin freeman (aka watson)

[@sambas9257]

It's incredible how still modern and fresh are the designs of the zx 48, the zx 81 and the cambridge z88.

[@richh9241]

What an enjoyable video! I feel privileged to have been born in 1974 - I remember playing manic miner and JSW endlessly as a kid, along with hundreds of other Speccy games. At 49 I work for a bank designing payment systems. Funny old world.

[@dennisplester1542]

Am fairly certain I had seen all three episodes already, but it took me milliseconds to decide to watch this trilogy again now. It also cemented my decision to add some spectrum gaming to my retro collection. I grew up on Commodores but always admitted that the Sinclairs had their place. Commodores were much bigger in my area in Australia but there was always that kid at school who had a ZX80, then an 81, then a Spectrum and finally a very flaky early QL. My VIC, 64, 128 and then A500 were better naturally 😏 probably?, but I did enjoy some early Sinclair gaming with my one mate who had them. Great content Kim, as always. I always watch all the systems you cover even if I have no experience with them, they are always worth it..

[@PrettyBlueThings]

Fantastic video, this must have taken hours to research and create. Thank you Kim

[@johnhigginbotham8291]

Absolutely superb video, Kim.

[@akalyx]

another compilation to fall asleep to every night < 3

[@oldgolfpunk]

As a person closer to three score years I've had my fair experience of computers home markets. No one was any better than the other, it's what we all made of what we had, or what people made the largest games library. I'm sure many played multiple games over different computers and always remember certain games that stick out for life. My first game experience was horris goes skiing. And from that games took on a new life. Watching these videos I've discovered many titles I've never heard about or even played, living life in backwards Northern Ireland in 70' and 80's was backwards haha

[@warman]

Superb as always!

[@gulskjegglive]

The Dark Lord, Jack Tramiel. Oh, my. Now I miss the 1990's Amiga scene.

[@philippkemptner4604]

Forklift Driver Klaus at 1:43:45, awesome classic X))

[@KennyTew2]

Great video Kim thanks

[@th45h1zn1t]

Great work as ever, thank you

[@markdowdall2832]

Kim keep up your good work, one thing you do well that keeps me coming back to watch is you have a skill for research and presentinh stuff well and in detail. this cannot be found amongst other you tubers perhaps lgr is the only other one tht comes barely closer, loved your in depth tomb raider vid aswell thank you mark southend keep them coming

[@andrewdunbar828]

As an Aussie who was a big Sinclair computer fan back in the '80s I was always puzzled at how all the English people talking about them were so familiar with the texture of dead people's flesh.

[@richbiles230872]

It's down to England's tradition of families having their deceased relatives in an open casket at their home for other family and friends to visit. As a child it creeped me out when I was encouraged to squeeze the dead family member's hand.

[@MaffeyZilog]

@@richbiles230872 Isn't that more of a religious thing than an 'English' thing?

[@richbiles230872]

@Newsbender II must just be a regional thing.

[@kloakovalimonada]

Lovely, lovely video. Thanks!

[@stevenross-watt8640]

Great video. Insightful and funny. Thx

[@3styler1]

Been watching this dudes stuff for years now very well made

[@spectrumdays]

Thanks so much for your amazing knowledge, research and effort, I love what you do, thanks for the inspiration. I dont think our podcast would be the same without you.

[@looneybinjim]

Awesome video thanks 😊

[@cheifwhat]

Thanks. Lovely video

[@TheInfiniteMiseryJumper]

Snooker and a Kim marathon? Yup, I'm sorted 😎

[@Sebulr]

I laughed at the 10 print "Bastard fuck" 20 goto 10 Ah the memories of 80s tandy shops

[@seansankey3562]

This type of naughty shenanigans by unruly teenagers was behind WH-Smith employing their own plain clothes police officers in the computer sections of their stores. Swooping in to either reset the computer and replace the utterly filthy code with something more acceptable. If they were lucky they could catch the offender as they thought they had got away with this crime, whilst shuffling away from the tainted computer and take them to the basement. After that, what happened was a bit sketchy. There are rumors that these offenders never coded filth and were never found smoking behind the bike sheds at school ever again!

[@zoompt-lm5xw]

Great channel Subscribed

[@DavidHaselhoff]

great content

[@Wiggins773]

it's hugely interesting to hear this history as I was born well after. It gives insight into what life in the UK during the 1980s was like.

[@andyj34]

excellent stuff

[@Rockythefishman]

Really enjoyed this, had it on while I was working. I always thought Matthew Smith really got screwed over time and time again. That RG article about him is very well written and very interesting. I would read a book about his life

[@andrewhorton481]

I'm really enjoying your content, it's such a nostalgia trip. I miss the simplicity of my Amiga days. I wonder - would you consider doing a video on iconic Amiga era music? There are some amazing examples out there...Troddlers, Xenon Megablast II, Lemmings. Just a thought. Love your stuff, keep it coming :-).

[@frankboogaard88]

I wouldn't be surprised if Joffa was behind most, if not all, of the old Demo Scene ;)

[@TheZombieCurryKid]

I love your videos! Would you ever make a video on Rare?

[@hardkoregamer1981]

Powered by imagination and brought to life by creativity 😁

[@JudgeClark]

Now I need to watch Abigail's Party again :)

[@paulklasmann1218]

I wonder what Sir Clive thinks of the Spectrum Next.

[@paatuc6457]

Matthew Smith the Legend

[@kilgoreplumbus1360]

If we'd have given Clive all the money back then, we'd be living in the awesome vision of the future from 50s-70s sci fi.

[@melasn9836]

I really love these collections you're doing!

[@kee1haul]

That's Friday night sorted.

[@kilgoreplumbus1360]

I wasn't watching a sec and thought she said " Batman: The Pegged Crusader"

[@arfanmedni7294]

RIP Clive Sinclair, gone to silicon heaven.

[@NoNoseProduction]

Still don't know why you don't have more traction.

[@AcornElectron]

Brilliant. Perfect accompaniment to a Friday afternoon snooze after a lunchtime beer 😉🕹 Keep up the good work Kim and stay safe!

[@andrewk2996]

Have you done anything on Steve Turner (Avalon, Dragontorc, Quazatron)? If not please can you? Thanks!

[@raithrover1976]

That Rex game looks terrifying! Eat your heart out Alien Isolation.

[@jecelassumpcaojr890]

About Sinclair and computing, though it didn't work out his venture with Ivor Catt into wafer scale integration had a lot of potential.

[@barry5462]

He's always been covered by me,in a certain way Oohhh Matron!

[@chaos.corner]

I can still remember almost the exact words from that Spitting Image sketch. "It's an invalid vehicle", "I'm not an invalid", "You haven't driven it yet". (For non-UKers, invalid is a probably-no-longer-politically-correct term for the physically disabled (or "differently abled" if you insist)).

[@johnny5805]

I bumped into Sir Clive who was pushing a trolley round Sainsbury's on Sidney Street (Cambridge) in 1995. I was super polite and respectful to him, and told him basically how awesome he was. He just looked at me and said "I don't care what YOU think", and walked off. Douche. [Apologies for using the word "whilst" so many times 🙂]

[@EdgyNumber1]

38:22 - Yes, that is his (2nd) missus..

[@carlosfandango2419]

After my pong machine and Atari VCS the Spectrum was my first computer, I even used my original Sony Walkman to load games back in 1983. My C64 was head and shoulders better than the Spectrum. I bought a knock off but it worked a treat and lasted until the Amiga became affordable.

[@CheekyCommodoreGamer]

Perfect 👌 👌 👌

[@808v1]

lo, you can't throw an email across the room like a phone :)

[@mazonemayu]

Why in god’s name would you grab the right gold bar in Eugene’s Lair at the very end? It makes timing his descent so much harder 😅.

[@Zallestial]

R.I.P

[@nalmeida75]

I didn’t know James Acaster had a KZbin Chanel

[@firelance3113]

Is that chubby gristle music around the 29 min mark?

[@jal051]

Hey, I had a microdrive in my speccy

[@raggersragnarsson6255]

I agree with everything said here. At the time I was even shocked as a teen with what Clive Sinclair was doing at the time. He was a true amazing British boffin and entrepreneur, but Sinclair should have shut down some of his ideas and went with what worked and sold at the time. The QL and C5 should not have been launched the way they were. The takeover by AMSTRAD was deserved because of the mistakes. Though I wish that would not have happened and Sinclair remained as they were and may even have survived to this day possibly, or certainly for a lot longer.

[@kilgoreplumbus1360]

Fans should make 3rd Willy game where Willy literally fucks the Taxman and some of the other people who ripped off Matt Smith... savagely and unrelentingly

[@Retro_lindsay]

What was all of your first sinclair product myn was the executive calculator

[@Simi822]

talking about Sinclair and the ZX...with SID music in the background...LOL

[@gmonkman]

I want a sinclair executive

[@benb2741]

7:37 jam

[@Psycandy]

if he was American, Sinclair would be huge today.

[@thoughtcriminal3843]

I wonder if Sir Clive feels vindicated or bitter over the fact that electric cars and mini TV's have become so widespread? He was too ahead of his time, making products before the technology was there to really make them good.

[@SeanR1974]

mini tv's have become widespread?

[@thoughtcriminal3843]

@@SeanR1974 on your phone, obviously.

[@chaos.corner]

@@thoughtcriminal3843 Good point. It's notable that even the better mini TVs that followed SInclair's really weren't all the successful either. I wonder if it was the move away from being dependent on broadcasting or just the general synergy with the mobile platform that makes it work.

[@kitezzz360]

I think Joffa's career died with the spectrum, you could tell he just wanted to be that bedroom coder forever and wasn't interested in the direction of how the industry headed

[@peter486]

your uploads are amazing. but Kim your a young bloke, how come you have the pation for 70-80´s tech? because this is my childhood ps i would love to see a intervjue with "Bo jangeborg" creator of the spectrum game "fairlight". and the drawing program The Artist

[@larrylaffer3246]

The Ode to Clive: There once was a man named Clive. He owned a big computer company once apon a time. He created devices that delighted. He even once got Knighted! Alot of his tech was sold via diy kit. Though some were kinda shit. He went into every field he could, Some bad, some good. He did invent a little computer that created a spectrum of colors. That brought the micro into the home at price point lower than others. It could do software and games. It sold like hot cakes from Essex to the Thames. All in all Uncle Clive; Was all that and a bag of crisps flavored sour cream and chive!

[@yaktaur]

The wig on the actor playing Sir Clive is terrrrible! Hard to take him seriously just looking at him. Took me a minute to realise it was the Pointless guy too.

[@burbercat3558]

"Sinclair Research" really should have been called "Sinclair (in my mind) Research".

[@kilgoreplumbus1360]

The BBC had tax payer money and state propaganda behind the micro and still tanked badly. We had them at school and they were awful compared to the Atari we had at home.

[@krissymarklewis1793]

I love this, Joffa died far too young.

[@wolvesaywe1155]

He is 80 years old not 76

[@chaos.corner]

No "coyote time" here, kiddos.

[@juanguerra3472]

♥