The Beiderbecke Affair - The Complete Series [1985]

It's set in Leeds, in the early 1980s, and the main characters are a couple of secondary-school teachers. Beyond this, it gets hard to summarise. Not to give too much away, it involves a Cubs football match, a multi-storey car-park, a policeman with a University degree, a dog called Jason - and the music of Bix Beiderbecke, the first great white jazz musician: they said his playing sounded like bullets, shot from a bell.

I'll stop trying to explain it. The series is unique. You'll run into Beiderbecke fans in unlikely places for the rest of your life. They're good people. Try it.


At last The Affair To Remember!   October 6, 2003
sydneyemms (Leighton Buzzard)
31 out of 31 found this review helpful

The emergence of DVD is at last allowing TV's archives to be plundered for real gems like this offbeat comedy thriller. With the release of this and 'A Very Peculiar Practise' viewers are being given a chance to once again enjoy series made without the input of the focus groups and the influence of the destructive ratings wars. A time before the era of endless programmes about doctors, vets and lawyers.
Alan Plater creates real people, flawed, humourous, even sometimes dull and allows his plot to meander over six episodes into an examination of local politics, corruption, relationships and jazz.
Barbara Flynn and James Bolam are excellent in the lead roles, ably supported by Terence Rigby and Sue Jenkins. Its offbeat, low key and a real treat. You won't be sure what happens next and you won't care because you'll be enjoying it too much.
Extras aren't needed because at this price and 300 minutes of 'The Beiderbecke Affair' you have real value for money. Imagine 'The Long Goodbye' meets 'Last Of the Summer Wine' with a Kenny Ball soundtrack. Do indulge yourself and buy it.


A superb comedy drama in the best British tradition! Great.   April 2, 2000
steve.newell@virgin.net (Oxford, England)
17 out of 19 found this review helpful

James Bolam at his best as the underdog teacher, finding romance, of sorts with another teacher, a mystery, some spy games, and a couple of "local heros" big Al and little Norm. As good as telly drama gets. Worth watching all three series, the Afair, the Tapes, and the Connection.


Fab, down to earth, intelligent TV. With a Jazz soundtrack!   November 3, 2004
A. Bolton
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

The mean streets of 1980's Leeds play a comedy backdrop to this off the wall, but homely personal TV favourite. I cannot recommend it too much. The trio of Beiderbecke series explore serious very relevant issues, but do it alongside gentle comedy, romance, and the mystery of what connects everything back to Bix Beiderbecke the Jazz musician. Alan Plater writes three dimensional, quirky, surprising but satisfying parts for all his actors. And there is a great soundtrack.

A perfect antidote to the modern day soaps and cookie cutter rehashed rubbish that sits smugly across our modern day TV schedules. Remind yourself that TV used to be capable of intelligence and originality.


A Quiet Paradigm Leep   June 21, 2005
Dr. N. Miles (Gunnislake, Cornwall United Kingdom)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

Well our two schoolteachers do something that all the "Queen's Horses" cannot. The notion that you cannot provide exquisite chuckle humour mixed with a cacophany of intrigue and low key excitement whilst kicking the "Bix Beiderbecker" out of authority makes a wonderful release from the then and now, of the antics of both politics (the story line for politcal intrigue and corruption which is universal and cyclical) and greed amongst those we are meant to trust but don't and hence the wonderful and farseeing writing of Alan Platter.

I only wish that he would update another and continuous series with that of present day corruption in the political arena and all the woes of social and ecological decline. We might get that kick in the pants which all the messages the Greens are encouraging us to change our ways in a manner which society will encompass and take our responsibilities seriously.

The B/B trilogy is undisputably one in the most fundamental ways in which life in the UK could become more honest, fun and intriguing if everyone stopped being frighetend of everyone else. Please much more of the same!