Play for Today (TV Series) Too Late to Talk to Billy (1982) User Reviews

Another Conflict in Ulster

[eddie-83 · 9/10 · 19 May 2000]

In the early Eighties a Belfast family tears itself apart after the Mother dies a hard death from cancer

Searing working-class drama with Northern Ireland's Troubles used only as a backdrop to the story of the Martins, an ordinary family with James Ellis outstanding as the domineering father, Brid Brennan in a touching portrayal of the eldest daughter trying to hold things together and the eponymous Billy played by a young actor who may have a future in the business, Kenneth Branagh.

The Belfast vernacular is brilliantly caught by writer Graeme Reid.

The two follow-up plays featuring the same characters are well worth seeking out: " A Coming to Terms for Billy' and "A Matter of Choice for Billy"

Very Memorable Drama

[Theo Robertson · 9/10 · 15 January 2006]

As has been pointed out TOO LATE TO TALK TO BILLY only uses the troubles as a backdrop to the drama so thankfully we don't get bombarded by polemical politics every ten seconds . One can't help thinking unlike theater or cinematic film any drama to do with Northern Ireland is very well suited to television and this teleplay was subject to much fevered conversations along the line of " did you see that bit " and " When he said .. " etc . In fact TOO LATE FOR BILLY also cropped up in conversation when it was repeated on BBC television in 1983 and 1984 which is testimony to how well it was written by Graham Reid

Made in 1982 but set in 1977 the story revolves around the Martin family from a Protestant stronghold in Belfast . The mother is dying from cancer and her husband Norman reacts by drowning his sorrows and taking it out on the rest of the world . It's a very memorable performance by James Ellis as a violent and bitter and ultimately pathetic soul , the sort of individual who unfortunately is all too common in every Celtic town . Possibly the most memorable scene - And certainly the most quoted - is when Norman staggers home from the pub and finds one of Billy's friends innocently having a cup of tea with his daughter Lorna and Norman feels the need to take out his problems on someone and anyone

" He's got to go home to his mother " says Lorna

No his mother - His Maw " growls the drunken Norman who then suddenly grabs Billy's friend by the throat " Listen your maw has serviced the whole Yank navy , get outta ma house and don't come back "

Actually it's not that guy's night because he runs into local UDA hard man John Fletcher who gives the lad a few digs and is saved from a serious kicking by the arrival of Billy played by Kenneth Branagh . Yes THE Kenneth Branagh who then Fletcher offers a drink to :

" It's an insult to refuse a drink " warns Fletcher passing a bottle to Billy

" Okay then " Billy accepts the bottle then smashes it over Fletcher's head knocking him unconscious

Sometimes brutal , often blackly comical TOO LATE FOR BILLY is ultimately one of the best BBC Play For Today ever broadcast . The fact that it continued into a trilogy after the Play For Today slot was scrapped must say something of its quality and look forward to seeing it again sometime

More than a Family Melodrama

[JamesHitchcock · 9/10 · 23 November 2022]

"Too Late to Talk to Billy" is the first in a trilogy of television dramas by the Ulster playwright Graham Reid. Contrary to what one reviewer states, all three instalments were broadcast by the BBC as part of the "Play For Today" series; that series ended in August 1984 and the final part of the trilogy, "A Coming To Terms For Billy", was shown in February of that year.

The "Billy" of the title is Billy Martin, a young man in his late teens or early twenties, living in a working-class Protestant area of Belfast. The word "Protestant" here needs to be given its Northern Irish meaning; both Billy and his father Norman admit that they do not believe in God, but as has been said there are no atheists in Northern Ireland, only unbelieving Catholics and unbelieving Protestants. The Martins are what is known as a dysfunctional family. Norman is a hard-drinking, fiery-tempered, violent man whose solution to any problem is to lash out at it with his fists. He has been estranged from his wife Janet ever since he discovered that she was having an affair with an insurance man named Steve, and remains estranged even though Janet is now in hospital, terminally ill with cancer. Norman lives in the family home with Billy, his adult daughter Lorna and two younger daughters Ann and Maureen

The play was made in 1982 and set during the late seventies, the time of what have become known as "The Troubles". As others have pointed out, however, this is a family drama, not a political one, so while the Troubles form the backdrop to the story they are not its subject. The UDA (Ulster Defence Association) play a minor role; here they are portrayed as a gang of thuggish street brawlers, although in reality they were a dangerous terrorist organisation, responsible for over 400 deaths, mostly Catholic civilians. The Martin's neighbour John Fletcher and Billy's friend Ian are both members. John fancies himself as the local hard man, although he is not as hard as he thinks he is, whereas Ian, who is a coward at heart, thinks that membership will give him some sort of street cred.

In some respects Norman and Billy are alike. Both are stubborn and quick-tempered, and Billy is nearly as quick with his fists as his father. Neither have joined the UDA or other militant Protestant organisations; they have no objection to brawling or violence, but both see themselves as independent spirits and feel that their independence would be compromised by membership of any organisation. Despite their similarities, however, there is a growing sense of estrangement between the two. Billy resents both Norman's treatment of Janet- he feels that she was forced into her affair with Steve by Norman's bullying of her- and his frequent use of force to discipline his children. Billy may be an adult, or near-adult, but Norman thinks he is not too old to be kept in line by a good beating. One difference between the two is that Billy is teetotal; he has seen what drink has done to his father, and does not like it.

The title "Too Late to Talk to Billy" can be taken in more than one way. On the one hand it refers to Norman's inability to talk matters over with his son, and with other members of his family, preferring to resort to violence or to displays of temper. Had he taken the trouble to talk to Billy at a much earlier stage, relations between the two might not have deteriorated to the point of hatred. On the other hand it might also refer to Billy's own reluctance to discuss his feelings, particularly with his girlfriend June, who is shortly going off to university in England.

At the heart of the play is a titanic double act between James Ellis as Norman and a young, pre-stardom Kenneth Branagh as Billy. Ellis is today best remembered as the likeable police officer Bert Lynch in "Z-Cars", so it came as a shock to the public to see him as a violent ruffian. Branagh's Billy is a conflicted young man who knows that he has grown up as the son of a violent ruffian and is determined to avoid growing up like him. Other fine performances come from Brid Brennan as the quiet Lorna, Colum Convey as Ian and the young Tracey Lynch as the irrepressible, cheeky Ann. "Too Late to Talk to Billy" could have been a run-of-the-mill family melodrama; what lifts it beyond that category is the strength of the acting. 9/10.

Billy Trilogy great for its time

[afayne · 10/10 · 22 September 2002]

As a child growing up in Southern Ireland, my knowledge of Belfast was shaped by news shots of bomb blasts and demonstrators being forced back with water cannons and plastic bullets. The 'Billy Trilogy' was the first time I ever saw another side to the lives of people living in Belfast at the time. Although I was only about 10 then, I really enjoyed the televised plays (as I think they were?) and remember Kenneth Branagh's portrayal of Billy the clearest. It was a real eye-opener to see other aspects of the lives of the people of Belfast with the Troubles used only as a back-drop instead of the main focus. The plays were well ahead of their time and I would gladly watch them again today.

Too Late to Talk to Billy

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 9 October 2022]

The Billy Trilogy for Play for Today were highly regarded when broadcast in the early 1980s.

I wonder if the plays would had been so well remembered if it was not for an early starring role for decorated actor and filmmaker Kenneth Branagh.

Set in a working class area of Belfast in the late 1970s. This is an examination of the disintegrating Martin family.

The Troubles is just a backdrop, although the play begins with one of Billy Martin's (Kenneth Branagh) friend Ian talking to a loyalist 'soldier.'

Patriarch Norman Martin (James Ellis) is a violent drunk with a reputation. He works in the shipyards and his wife is in hospital dying of cancer.

Norman refuses to see her. Flashbacks show that his wife was having an affair with an insurance salesman. He was violent beaten up by Norman.

Billy is a teenager, he is a non drinker, has a girlfriend who he desperately wants to have sex with. He too shows flashes of violence when he beats up someone assaulting his friend Ian.

Billy's sister Lorna has to manage the rest of the younger siblings while their mum is in hospital. She also has to deal with the father who constantly comes home drunk displaying flashes of anger.

This is a slice of life drama. I guess the novelty value is that it is set in Northern Ireland and not elsewhere in Britain.

The play is well acted. The standout is Ellis who was better known for playing more genial characters in dramas like Z Cars. As Branagh stated in a special introduction to the plays recorded in 2022. Ellis had acquired a reputation as an actor in theatre.

Branagh himself shows himself as a rising talent. Both brooding as well as vulnerable. Especially when he confronts his father.

A well made drama but the Play for Today strand had done these kind of domestics before.