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The
'boy' of the title is David - a 17-year-old living with foster parents
and failing at school. He finds peace at a local nature reserve.
When
he meets a young runaway, he decides to leave home to find his real
father. His search takes him to an industrial town in the North
- Barrow-in-Furness, Walney Island and North East towns provide
the scenery.
David's
involvement with environmental campaigners takes him back to the
South East where a chance meeting leads him to his father, Steve.
Along the way, David meets Jenny and Katie - the latter of which
turns into more than just a stranger!
The
Barrow Area Committe had some concerns when the programme was filmed
in the town. Members of the committee thought it was "hard-hitting".
They "felt it portrayed young people in a poor light"
when they had "pride in the young people of the area".
They were also worried that it would damage their campaign to raise
the profile of foster carers in the county.
Nature
Boy is atmospheric and powerful - some viewers were shocked
by the scenes of violence and the language used.
Writer
stays true to his roots
Before
achieving writing success and fame, the writer of this series lived
for many years in Staveley near Windermere in Cumbria. Bryan Elsley
is now based in Bristol.
Bryan
started his career as an artistic director with 'Pocket Theatre
Cumbria' which was based at Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre.
While
working in Kendal, he topped up his earning by writing episodes
for Casualty and London's Burning. Bryan's big break
came when the BBC commissioned him to adapt The Crow Road,
a novel by Iain Banks for screen.
Share
your views
We're
pleased to hear viewers all over the world are enjoying this series!
Where are you watching the show? What do you think of the drama?
Has it changed your opinion of Northern England? Email
us!
Most
recent message are at the top.
I
thought I'd better mention in case anyone else asks for Nature Boy,
I phoned the BBC shop and they told me that Nature Boy is no longer
available on video. The distributer pulled it.
They
didn't know whether it would ever be available again. I'm going
to try and look in second hand video shops from now on.
Kindest
Regards,William
Dartnall
the
photo of nature boy is defenatley not devonsire dock in barrow ,it
is tees docks at middlesbrough , you i can clear see roseberry topping
in the back ground which is the cleveland hills ,it,s the second
part of the drama which was filmed in and arouned middlesbrough
,ill even take anybody ther and show them , i come from just outside
that town , i watch,t the drama when it came out ,i allso vidiod
it pluss iv,e allso got it on a bought vidio . it,s the best drama
ever made ,it, fantasc.
simon barnes - sherborne
One
of the most excellent series seen yet. The acting by very talented
but young adults was truly a testiment to their skills. These actors
should be encouraged all the way.
Greg Longman - Australia
Please
can you tell me who the actor is that plays David in Nature Boy.
Thanks very much. Nicky Lawrence - UK
Answer: Lee Ingleby
I watched
the Nature Boy series last year and found it to be the most moving
series i have ever encountered in my short life.
The storylines are gripping and the acting is superb! I love the
way the stories don't sugar-coat the reality of life today, if only
there where more shows willing to be so daring TV might be that
little bit more bearable.
Thankyou for an excellent show.
Rachelle White - Sydney, Australia
Today
I found out that the theme song is already released in November
2002 on the CD-single 'Anywhere'. The single contains three versions
of Anywhere and (thank God) also Beautiful World. The single is
released by Heavenly Records: 5"CD HVN 125CDS.
I know many people are searching for the song after having seen
Nature Boy and I'd like to ask you to put this information on the
BBC-website so other people can benefit of it. Thank you.
Jurgen van den Bos - Holland
Hi!
I saw Nature boy for the third time this week and I'm overwhelmed
by David's dad's house!
I would like to know the name of that house, or any kind of information
possible. Thank you.
Luis Cafe - Brazil
We
thought it was very moving, identifying the real heart of the English
problem. It seemed to us a personal and communal metaphor, a quest
for truth and beauty within a corrupted society. A great achievement
for everyone involved - the writer, the cast and the production
team. Thanks.
Steve Wilkinson - Tomino Pontevedra, Spain
Hello
Jurgen and Simon. The theme song by Beth Orton is called
'Beautiful World'. The song was written especially for Nature
Boy. Beth's official site is www.bethorton.mu
Sooze - BBC Cumbria
The
BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.
Hi.
My girlfriend and I loved the series & bought it on video, but have
tried in vain to get hold of the haunting signature tune by Beth
Orton, 'Beautiful World'. Do you know if there was a soundtrack
CD released, as we haven't been able to find one and the song doesn't
appear on any of Beth Orton's albums? Thanks.
Simon - Cambridgeshire
Hello,
I'm from Holland, I've seen Nature Boy for the second time;
first on the BBC and this month on Dutch television. I really loved
it, although the 4th episode was a bit out of tune (if I can put
it that way). Nevertheless beautiful. Now, what I'm looking for
is the Signature Tune by Beth Orton. I have searched almost everywhere
but I can't find it. The song is used several times during the series.
The first episode starts with it and the 4th as well and the 3rd
episode ends with it. Can anybody help me find it? Please.
Jurgen van den Bos - Holland
I've
added a bit of information about Bryan Elsley above but here's a
rundown of some of his work:
1998 Complicity - screenplay Bryan Elsley adapted from the
novel by Iain Banks. It stars Johnny Lee Miller
1997 The Crow Road - another film adapted from an Iain Banks
novel. This film won Bryan the 'Best Writer' award in that year's
Scottish BAFTAs.
1998 - Young Person's Guide To Becoming A Rock Star - a comedy
series about a group of young Glaswegians try to make it big in
the music business.
He also worked with other writers on Hamish Macbeth, Casualty and
London's Burning.
Sooze - BBC Cumbria webteam
It
was an excellent show, full of insight and intelligence. I thought
the last episode wigged out a bit, but the first three were some
of the best TV writing I have seen. Also it was great to be reminded
that modern England is full of natural beauty and not just the cobbles
and traffic and grey skies of much of your represenation on TV.
Has the writer written anything else? I'd love to check his other
work out. Anyway, cheers for an excellent show, acting, writing
and crew.
Blake Ayshford - Sydney, Australia
Hello
Richenda, there does not seem to be a soundtrack for Nature
Boy.
See my note below about the music in the series - you may find a
Paul Weller album will satisfy your hunger! Also - the title track
is by Beth Orton.
Sooze - BBC Cumbria webteam
Hi
there! I came across this email address on your site whilst looking
for info about a soundtrack release of the music for Nature
Boy - is there such an animal?! I have just watched the
show for a second time down here in Australia - I wasn't going to
watch it because I had already seen it the first time round - BUT!!
- it enthralled me all over again. Chances are, I'd watch a third
re-run too!!! This really was a magnificent production all round
- thank you to all concerned. Cheers!
Richenda Bridge - Maleny, Queensland
I've
been burning the midnight oil to watch the re-run of 'Nature Boy'
on ABC here in Perth, Western Australia. I've really enjoyed the
gritty realism of this production, full of flawed characters making
difficult decisions in an uneasy and unstable world. The program
didn't shy away from tackling some of the complicated issues that
face both adults and young people alike. The shining performance
from Lee Ingleby provided a ray of light and hope in what might
have otherwise been a overly dark story. And he was supported by
a fantastic cast. The coastal landscape near Barrow was a revelation
and challenged a long held sterotypical image of this industrial
town. I sincerely hope that productions that show such depth and
soul continue to be created to counter the insidious spread of US
television and its obsessions with the superficial.
Penny O'Connor - Perth, Australia
Nature
Boy has been airing for the last two weeks here & I
was lucky enough to catch the first episode. I recognised Lee Ingleby
from his role in Nicholas Nickleby which had me interested to see
him again in another role so I kept watching. I don't believe I've
ever been so taken in by a story as I was with Nature Boy.
It was immensly powerful & the performances were amazing.
As a drama student, characterisation is what has the most effect
over me while watching a program & some of the moments these
characters presented within themselves honestly left me at
times wihth shivers up my spine. Brilliant story, I can't wait to
see the remaining 2 episodes of the series.
Thought you'd like to know about what an antipodean had to say about
the show since you were interested in other countries opinions.
Well I think it's fantastic & am really enjoying it.
Julia - Australia
TV
One in Nz is currently screening Nature Boy; indeed
we've just had episode 2. I have found it to be very moving, and
thought provoking. The scenery is wonderful and I love the intertwining
of the two ages of David. I thought you might get a surprise to
have a comment from down under in NZ. I can't stand American shows,
and always enjoy British drama.
Coral - New Zealand
If
you'd like to buy Nature Boy on video, please call
BBC Shop on (+44) 1733 232 800. It costs £14.99 - the
salesperson will convert this for you.
Nature Boy is not listed on the BBC Shop website but I rang
them up and they gave me this direct line number for you!
Don't forget that VCRs work with a different encoding in other countries.
Check before buying video cassette that your VCR will be able to
play it!
Sooze - BBC Cumbria webteam
I only
saw one part of Nature Boy, where can I get a copy?
Alan - location unknown
Jim,
the song you are looking for is Brand New Start by Paul Weller.
The lyrics are: I'm gonna clear out my head - I'm gonna get myself
straight - I know it's never too late - To make a brand new start.
It's on his Modern Classics album, released in 1998.
In the song, Weller sings: I'm gonna clear up my earth - And
build a heaven on the ground, which fits very well with what
David is trying to do.
Paul Weller is one of Britain's greatest singer/songwriters.
Official website: www.paulweller.com
Sooze - BBC Cumbria webteam
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external
websites.
I saw
the movie Nature Boy and I thought it was wonderful,
also the music complemented many scenes. I am looking for the name
of one of the songs, that I took a liking to. I don't know the
name of the song so I'll tell you what scene it was in. It was
in the film when David helped the small boy talk to his parents.
David was on top of a grassy hill with the boy and they were realeasing
the small fox back into the wild. Some of the lyrics to the song
in the backround was : Clean up my head and also Make
a brand new start. Is there anyway you could tell me the name
of this song? Or could you tell me how or where I could the name
to this song?
Jim Spencer - Canada
Hello,
I caught the first part of Nature Boy on BBC Prime
last week - quite by chance. I was totally enthralled, a really
very powerful drama indeed. The filming was fantastic and the story
line was packed with different angles. Unfortunately my husband
missed the showing, and I tried to explain the story but found that
it was impossible. These thought provoking dramas are becoming too
few and far between, so well done for taking the hard line on some
issues and making people think. Thank you.
Catherine - Norway
Hi.
I'm from Canada and I was watching one of your films Nature Boy
on TV just now. I really like the movie! I was wondering is there
any way I could purchase it? Or when will it be on sale? Thanks!
Clarinda - Canada
I'm
from Switzerland and I think "Nature Boy" is a fantastic movie,
probably I'll buy the video cassette. Like the other guy from Canada
I took liking to the wonderful song "Brand new Start" at the end
of the first part. I really have to get this CD.
Stefan - Switzerland
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