My Childhood

(1972)Directed by Bill Douglas47 minDrama

The first part of Bill Douglas' influential trilogy harks back to his impoverished upbringing in early-'40s Scotland. Cinema was his only escape - he paid for it with the money he made from returning empty jam jars - and this escape is reflected most closely at this time of his life as an eight-year-old living on the breadline with his half-brother and sick grandmother in a poor mining village.

Hughie Restorickas Tommy
Jean Taylor Smithas Grandmother
Karl Fieseleras Helmuth
Bernard McKennaas Tommy's father
Paul Kermackas Jamie's father
Helena Gloagas Father's mother
Ann Smithas Jamie's mother
Eileen McCallumas Nurse
Helen Raeas Bus conductress
James Ecclesas Man singing