Screen Two (TV Series) Coast to Coast (1987) User Reviews

Royalties to blame?

[thetrueblue · 8/10 · 20 August 2006]

As everyone knows this was a GREAT film with a classic soundtrack of at least a couple of dozen classic soul tracks, and must be thoroughly deserving of either a repeat broadcast, or an official release onto DVD. Sadly, it seems likely that the price of royalties for Tamla might well be the stumbling block in getting the film back out, but surely the original broadcaster (was it the BBC?) must have had some repeat permissions written into the music licences? Surely that is standard fayre! And what an opportunity for Tamla to do a "Soundtrack" CD to coincide with it's release! Come on, surely there's someone who reads these posting who knows how to seed an idea in the right place? For people to still be clamouring for a film that has not seen the screens for some twenty years, there must be something about it that deserves another look?

FURTHER to the above, i've been in touch with Lenny Henry via his web site and he confirms that the problem with a DVD release is indeed the royalties. He also said that there was no Coast to Coast 2 as they "...couldn't get the script right. Some things are best left alone."

Finally, on a happier point, Lenny confirmed that he is constantly going on at the BBC to do a repeat. Perhaps if everyone started bombarding the BBC with requests for a repeat they might at least think about it. As i said in my original post, surely there were some repeat rights written into the original licences?

I'm desperate to see this again!

[richard_hollingsworth · 9/10 · 10 February 2001]

I remember this as a great film that was in my all-time top 5 in 1987 and I'm really keen to see it again. There was great music, great Lake District scenery and some great humour.

If anyone has a copy then I'd pay good money to have it a duplicate produced.

A feast for the ears if you enjoy Motown music mixed with slick one-liners. two guys running from trouble and all the scrapes they find it impossible to avoid.

[penpusher50 · 9/10 · 12 June 2006]

I have been looking for a copy of this film for years - like many others I can remember it from when it was first shown on TV but did not/could not take a copy at the time. I was able to use this website to track down Ken Hill who let me have a copy at a reasonable price. I was a bit dubious about sending a cheque to a complete stranger, but it was worth it to get a copy. I had nothing to fear - Ken is not out to rip you off. If you want to see the film again contact him on his e-mail address - [e-mail] - if you enjoy sixties Tamla Motown music you will find it worthwhile - the laughs are delivered at a quick pace with slick one liners. You have to see it again and again to pick them all up. I hope you enjoy the film.

It's not a comedy - it's a tragedy !

[BRIAN-403 · 10/10 · 12 July 2004]

At a time when the term "British film comedy" is likely to invoke a groan it is a tragedy that this film is being prevented from reaching a much wider audience. For whatever reason I find it incredible that this little gem of a British film comedy cannot obtain clearance either for television repeat or for issue in video or DVD format. Something must be done ! I cannot understand why anybody involved with this film would not be extremely delighted to give clearance for its revival particularly as the performances, writing and direction of this minor masterpiece of comedy drama could bring so much more pleasure to so many more people.

Want a Coast to

[gerry-112 · 10/10 · 29 April 2005]

I have been trying to get a copy of this wonderful movie for years as my VHS tape was worn out long ago. I have been looking for a replacement for some time. Then I found Ken Hill on this site who was able to provide me with a DVD. I contacted him on Monday this week and I have just received my DVD, Friday. How about that for service? I emailed him and he responded with a detailed background of how he came by his source film and was very open on the process of purchase and delivery. It comes in a proper DVD case with cover and DVD label, personalised if you wish with your name. For those of you out there who are after a copy I can recommend Ken for his service and integrity.

Cracking film Gromit!

[beachbum1955 · 4 September 2003]

If you love the soul sounds of the sixties you'll love this for the music alone. Someone who loves Motown and Northern Soul has worked on a labour of love. The film itself has great moments strung together. Bobby Knutt as the dodgy car salesman, the wedding disco in Liverpool that ends up in a fight, and Lenny giving it his all to Dobie Grays Drift Away at a U.S. forces base disco. On the run in an ice cream van, this film is the best thing Lenny was in. Forget Thelma & Louise, this is a road trip movie like no other. It's a shame the BBC choose to dish up all the same old stuff, when this can stand the test of time, and an annual repeat alongside The Wizard of Oz, The Great Escape, and Home Alone. Definitely NOT a christmas turkey. Someone get it out on video and release that damn fine soundtrack while you're at it!. Cracking film Gromit!

Coast to Coast

[megatske · 10/10 · 8 January 2012]

Quote from Lenny Henry:

I loved Coast To Coast . It was written by Stan Hey and directed by Sandy Johnson. It starred John Shea, Lenny Henry ,Cherie Lunghi , Peter Vaughn ,George Baker and Peter Postlethwaite as Kecks Mcguiness. I loved it because it was a road movie in Britain (tiny island , so we had to zig zag) there was classic Motown music throughout ,and I made friends with some lovely people in Liverpool . There was no Coast to Coast 2 because we couldn't get the script right (sometimes , some things should just be left alone ) and it isn't out on DVD because Motown's licensing costs were too prohibitive for the BBC-they couldn't afford to 'clear' the copyrights of all the tunes. Shame... I keep asking the BBC to repeat it ,and then we can all set our video's and Tivo's and Sky+'s ...

Couple of years old, but hey...time's on my side! Hope it'll be on whatever format soon. This movie brings back great memories of a great era. Please Motown!!

Can this really be lost forever?

[jason-f-webb · 10/10 · 7 May 2020]

A great cast, funny, fast-paced and with a superb (if problematic) soundtrack - one of the best TV plays of the 80s. More in-jokes than you can shake a stick at - and it has Pete Postlethwaite! What more can you ask for? Peter Vaughn as a genial Gangster? Done! Please resurrect this! It's too good to be lost - for whatever reason.

A brilliantly funny and original film

[BRIAN-403 · 10/10 · 4 February 2003]

This is a very very funny film. A British road film (Lake District to Harwich). With some of the funniest dialogue and visual gags all to a Tamla Motown soundtrack.

The high spot being at the USAF base Mildenhall with Lenny Henry and John Shea duetting on "Drift Away"

A must see film. Why is it not available on Video or DVD ?

the best film i have ever watched!

[goggles2uk · 10/10 · 14 July 2003]

very funny!music tremendous!drift away out this world!i must have watched this film 100 times.the cast is terrific,the characters even better.i would love to be able to get another copy.anyone who hasn't seen this movie really should have a chance to see it

An Opportunity Missed

[itsandrew · 5/10 · 5 October 2004]

I remember watching on BBC back in the 80s and still remember it fondly. The music, the characters, the actors, the humour, the dog eating the severed feet. Simply superb !

I Think there's a recording of it somewhere in my mum and dad's loft (ON BETAMAX).

I would absolutely love an opportunity to see this fine road movie again. I have contacted both the BBC and UKGold who have both said they've no plans to show it.

Another opportunity missed, along with the complete travesty that we'll never get it on DVD, UNLESS ANYBODY OUT THERE HAS ONE !!!!! (Keep dreaming).

A Soul Music Fans Review

[soulman8 · 14 August 2003]

Any film that starts and ends with a Marvin Gaye track must be doing something right!

There are about twenty songs throughout the film featuring the likes of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The Four Tops, Jimmy Ruffin and more.

This could be called a "Buddy Movie" but it's so much more than that. It is a rare example of a great British comedy thriller that stands the test of time, and features some familiar faces that are still on our television screens today.

A jobless Liverpudlian Richie Lee (Henry) and a disillusioned American (Shea) set up a mobile 60's soul disco' in an attempt to recapture the days of their youth and perhaps make a little money on the way. Indeed, some money is "made" along the way but they run into trouble in the form of two oldschool cockney gangsters played by Peter Vaughn and George Baker who joyously devour every scene they are in.

Some genuinely great comedy moments are scattered throughout the film. The press conference is typical of the humour of the time with a dig at the British police. The sight gags in the scene with Bobby Knutt as a randy used car salesman

work very well. The wanted persons pictures in the Sun newspaper which are hopelessly wrong provide another good belly laugh.

Of course Coast To Coast is best remembered by most people for the performance by Richie and John and the band at R.A.F. Mildenhall. An impromptu version of the Dobie Gray classic "Drift Away" works really well at that point in the story and I still can't watch it without joining in.

A satisfying end to the film is tainted only by a teasing hint of a sequel. To the best of my knowledge a sequel was made but never screened. Perhaps the saddest fact is that no broadcaster will show the original due to the ludicrous demands for royalties made by Motown.

I suppose I should be grateful that my recording of the original broadcast of Coast To Coast even though it's sixteen years old is still very watchable and when I'm a bit low it's an excellent pick me up.

I have the film!!!!.. (I Think!)

[wingnutta · 10/10 · 19 April 2001]

I had the film for ages, and it was the best film in my collection. My dad taped it off the tele and i must have seen the film at least 100 times. When my parents moved, the tape has got misplaced. i know it is around somewhere..i am looking high and low for it. If anyone wants a copy, email me and we can come to an arrangement (i.e. send us a blank tape and ill do ya a copy!..although it was only off the tele!!...i know how good a film it is and i know it must be frustrating not to have it!!) Although if anyone knows where to get an original copy, i would be most interested!! What does anyone else think of the film??

If you love tamla music then you will love this film

[robert-heeley-1 · 10/10 · 7 May 2003]

This film had everything comedy, action and fantastic tamla music. I could never understand why it wasn't ever released on VHS. Well i do know why because i contacted Gorilla films who produced it and they told me that it would be too expensive because of copy rights etc to even screen again. Thats bad news because i think we will never see it again.I even put a review on Sky movies web site hoping they may buy copy rights and then screen it.

So glad I'm not the only one!

[lollmorley · 10/10 · 7 October 2005]

I remember watching this fantastic movie the first time around and absolutely loving it. Completely and utterly. Then, about a year later, my English teacher decided to get us to study it for our GCSE. (Never did understand why, but no complaints from here!) I couldn't believe my luck. Very strange having to write Kecks McGuiness in an essay though. It didn't occur to me to try and get a copy at the time, and I've regretted it ever since.

I'm hoping to get my hands on a copy VERY soon, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it stands the test of time. How can it not? It's worth it just for that fabulous rendition of 'Drift Away', which to me will always be my definitive version!

Fantastic movie

[mr_seadog · 10/10 · 23 September 2019]

I'm always doubtful about watching anything with Lenny Henry in as I really don't find him funny but I watched this film when it was first broadcast and fell in love with it. Luckily I taped it on vhs and I've watched it over and over. My daughter managed to get a copy on DVD last Christmas. It's not very good quality but I still watch it. This film really needs to be re aired regardless of cost as I'm sure it would be a winner with a new audience. Brilliant brilliant film

From fun times

[ianhuds · 10/10 · 28 November 2021]

This has always been one of my unforgettable movies, it's dated now but the humour in it is so alive, Lenny plays it of the time where a young lad like him would struggle in life but not give up, the film is a road trip one where Lenny wants to be the USAF pilot and everything American with it, while the US serviceman wants nothing more to do with it and the film semi promotes the Greenham Common anti war protest message of the time in a subtle way as it backdrops to a Motown soundtrack to enhance Lens wannabe DJ character, Lenny hams it up while John plays it straight where he's trying to stay out of sight with Lennie whose behaving like a laser light show, there are also quite a few well known actors in it as well who crop up as a mob boss, psycho Policeman excited at finding the feet of a murder victim, mortician comment's of (they don't match) followed by (tough s*** it's the last pair we have in the shop etc) Pete Postlethwaite as well for good measure, an absolute gem that along with the Comic Strip's Supergrass movie set the tone for a story set to a great soundtrack throughout, if you can find it and let yourself adopt the era you will love this, check them both out for a double hit of the 80's.

Off the scale brilliant

[kev-98267 · 10/10 · 26 September 2022]

Certainly the best 'sleeper' since the Blues Brothers.

I doubt the BBC realise to this day what a fantastic film this is. How come it's hard to locate the listing here on IMDB?

Awesome script, excellent casting and edited to perfection. Soundtrack immaculate and a wholesome my warm ending.

Location shoots are enjoyable as the characters inter twine with other seasoned pros to perfection Bobby Knutt as the over amorous car dealer is a scene stealer if ever there was one..

This is British comedy writing at its most polished. Take a bow cast, crew!!

One of the best comedy dramas of all time!

Have this on DVD if anyone is interested

[wingy-3 · 13 February 2006]

If you look through previous posts i am the wing.nutta bloke. I finally found my copy and have transferred it to DVD. I appreciate that Ken Hill has a very good copy from what i read - and lots of positive feedback but if for some reason you cant get hold of him, please do drop me a line as i can run off a DVD no problem. My copy is good and it cam out surprisingly well onto DVD but without having seen ken hills copy i am unable to tell you how good mine is compared to his. Saying that my dad now has his copy and he was over the moon with it. At least thats one happy customer. If my mother could work the DVD player that would be two!!I am also on ebay (wingnutta) so check out my feedback if you wish. Cheers .. Adam

I have a copy of this !

[soulman8 · 5 January 2003]

I have found my recording of this fine T.V. movie from B.B.C. 2

In the next few days I will watch it again for the umpteenth time but for the first time in about 8 years.

Just wanted to give a "heads up" to anyone who is a lover of the film and would like to chat about it.

I will be back on this site soon to give a full appraisal.

Peace.

Great little movie catch it if you can

[jez-9 · 9 June 2000]

I saw this film a few years ago and I still remember it making me laugh. Two guys meet one American, a deserter from the US army, one Brit, they are drawn together by their mutual love of Soul music. Neither being gainfully employed they decide to start a mobile disco service for fellow soul lovers, which leads them to buy an ice cream van, the adventure begins. Before long they find themselves on the run from the bad guys and the police. If it gets shown on TV again I for one would not miss it

Great Comedy, Great Music

[hammond4 · 27 December 2001]

Shown on TV in 1987. A great movie, and definitely one worth watching if ever you get the chance. I had a copy of this on tape and lost it. 15 years later I'm still trying to get a copy somehow. Will never forget Lenny singing "drift away". Some fabulous soul music which provides a great base for the film

Big belly laughs

[nollsers · 27 September 2000]

I have never personally seen this film. My wife has and swears by it for some BIG BELLY LAUGHS. Why would I comment on a film I haven't seen? Well - I am hoping that some of the [surely, thousands] of avid coast to coast fans out there (so far I have seen at least one of you place a comment on this page) can tell me where I can get a copy of it from. I have tried almost everywhere without success. Any help would be much appreciated. Cheers!

Excellent cast excellent music excellent movie

[gally56 · 13 March 2003]

This film was worthy of a cinema release if Lenny Henry had released this he would have been massive in America.

John Shea gave a blinding performance playing the straight man but by no means the foil. Both actors get there share of the belly laughs (my favourite comic scene was the wedding reception with the angry father or is he....???????

And when henry and shea duet to dobie gray's drift away well one word perfection.