The Beiderbecke Tapes

TV Mini Series
1987–
2h 31m

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James Bolam and Barbara Flynn in The Beiderbecke Tapes (1987)

Trevor and Jill are teachers who meet strangers like the undead John and wimp Dave. They get involved with a liberation group, are pursued by Men in Grey, and meet eccentric personalities on... Read allTrevor and Jill are teachers who meet strangers like the undead John and wimp Dave. They get involved with a liberation group, are pursued by Men in Grey, and meet eccentric personalities on a trip, all while wanting a peaceful life.Trevor and Jill are teachers who meet strangers like the undead John and wimp Dave. They get involved with a liberation group, are pursued by Men in Grey, and meet eccentric personalities on a trip, all while wanting a peaceful life.

Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.4/10

389

YOUR RATING

Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 1 nomination total

Episodes2

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TopTop-rated 1 Season 1987

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Trivia
The music was played by Don Lusher (trombone), Roy Willox (melody saxophone), Stan Sulzmann (tenor saxophone), Dave Willis (bass saxophone), Paul Hart (violin), Les Thatcher (guitar and banjo), Dave Hartley (piano), Chris Laurence (double bass), Allan Ganley (drums), Kenny Baker (cornet) and Frank Ricotti (vibes).

Connections
Featured in Timeshift: Alan Plater: Hearing the Music (2005)

Soundtracks
Cryin' All Day
Written by Frankie Trumbauer and Chauncey Morehouse
Performed by Bix Beiderbecke

User reviews6

Review

Featured review

7/10

good but could have been better

Oh dear. After "Affair" I was hoping for more from "Tapes". When you get a winning formula don't tinker with it.

"The Beiderbecke Affair" delivered school teachers Trevor Chaplin (James Bolam) and Jill Swinburne (Barbara Flynn) and an ensemble of slightly offbeat characters telling a story of corruption in high places. Everything was right – the acting, the delivery, the music..

Now the offbeat nature is a bit more exaggerated. Previously 6 one hour episodes allowed the viewer to soak up the show without being bombarded. Now 2 90 minute episodes is guilty of forcing the issue. Of the characters from "Affair" we are left with only the teachers and they were never in the top rank first time around. And Chaplin & Swinburne are now automatically deemed to be cool so a bit of mystique disappears.

This is still worth watching. Good stuff, witty and charming but you get the feeling that it was rushed to screen!