Musical documentary: Drinking for England

October 2, 2005 3:26 AM

Can anyone help me find the 1988 Brian Hill documentary Drinking for England?

I first saw it years ago, and it was repeated on public broadcast television (in Australia) a couple of weeks ago. I can't find it on either amazon.com or amazon.co.uk. It's basically just a documentary about heavy drinkers in the UK, in verse written by Simon Armitage and recited or sung by the participants.

posted by Ritchie to media & arts (7 comments total)

I dont think it has ever been put out as a DVD. These people made it:
Century Films
posted by priorpark17 at 4:26 AM on October 2, 2005

Whoops. 1998 not 1988.
posted by Ritchie at 4:30 AM on October 2, 2005

It's on a certain UK-specific torrent site right now. I'm not sure if it's kosher to post links to torrent sites here, given the dubious legality (even of pointing people to items which are not otherwise available on DVD, which is exactly what this specific site does). Check your email in a minute.
posted by Gortuk at 7:57 AM on October 2, 2005

This UK-specific torrent site also has Feltham Sings and Pornography : The Musical up at the moment. These are two other Brian Hill / Simon Armitage collaborations. Feltham Sings in particular is excellent, imo.
posted by coach_mcguirk at 10:38 AM on October 2, 2005

Crap. I had it on our homemade PVR, but we've since deleted it. I'd just suggest that you ask closer to when things are broadcast, as given the number of people who have PVRs (especially in the States) your chances of finding someone who still has it are greater!
posted by web-goddess at 4:14 PM on October 2, 2005

Would you believe I deleted it from my PVR just last night? If only I'd read this yesterday...

tapeservices.sa.edu.au list it here, for $29/$39. You'll need to be a school, or have contacts in one, to order it.
posted by Pinback at 4:38 PM on October 2, 2005

Forgot: you could also ask on the Aus Digital TV or Topfield forums.
posted by Pinback at 4:42 PM on October 2, 2005