MovieChat Forums > A Taste of Honey (1962) Discussion > Just saw this film today

Just saw this film today

posted 13 years ago by superstu86
5 replies | jump to latest

I watched this film today as I saw a brief clip shown from 'A Taste of Honey' and I instantly wanted to see it. I love northern Drama/Plays. My grandparents were all born and bread in Yorkshire and from what I'm told had very strong accents.

It was a brilliant play or rather film. I did however sink when the film ended when it did. It leaves the viewer asking questions and I felt really sorry for Geoff. I found this a very funny (in places) drama aswell as quite sad.

Can someone clarify for me whether the sailor man, actually does leave Jo? I know theres a scene when Jo is watching the boat sail past from the docks and then we never see him again. So did he actually leave or did Jo just never want to go and see him at the docks again? That part puzzled me.
I wished Geoff could have stood up to the mother more, I know I would have.

What a brilliant piece of screen-writing Shelagh Delaney produced with Tony Richardson. Although originally from Shelagh Delaneys stage play.

[–] sirjeremy 11 years ago

Peter says he'll see her again and sounds sincere so I don't think they broke up as such but Jo says to him she thinks it's over...but with the way the departure is directed, I think we're supposed to read into it that they won't ever see each other again after he sails off. So sad.

I agree with your other comments; it's such a timeless and thought-provoking film, a classic of it's kind that holds up superbly more than 50 years on.

[–] robert4770 9 years ago

I caught this last night on TCM and have to agree, except for the visuals which scream 1960 this movie could be from today.

[–] iluvnyc 9 years ago

Especially the way Geoffrey tells Jo so non-chalantly "you can get rid of babies before they're born, you know." Even though she tells him she personally feels "that's terrible" -- it would be another 6 years before abortions were legalized in Britain. Jo's openness to his gayness as well, decades ahead of it's time. She obviously treats Jimmy, the black sailor, no differently because he's black. Somewhat striking for working-class Northern Brits one would think, but obviously not everyone's a bigot.

Fantastic film, really.

Did Shelagh Delaney ever say if any of the characters were based on real people she'd encountered?

[–] ozzieink 8 years ago

Fantastic film, really.

And when you consider she was the age of Jo when she wrote the play! Wow, what a talented playwright.

[–] Popcorngal (4937) 5 years ago

I saw this film years ago on late night TV.