Private Road

BFI Flipside presents Private Road, a film by Barney Platts-Mills. This stylish and compelling follow-up to the critically acclaimed Bronco Bullfrog relocates the youthful struggle for social and personal freedom to 1970s Boho London, the suburbs of Surrey and the the wilds of Scotland. A gorgeous, pouting Bruce Robinson (who would go on the write and direct Withnail and I) plays Peter, pausing from finishing his first novel to shack up with sugar-sweet receptionist Ann (Susan Penhaligon). Sex, drugs, and some rigorous rural living ensue, to the dismay of Ann’s well-to-do parents. Will Peter choose domestic conformity or pursuit of the artistic ideal. Thought-provoking, witty and compelling, Private Road is well worth rediscovering.

• St Christopher (1967, 48 min): Barney Platts-Mills’ affecting observational documentary about the education of mentally handicapped youngsters.
• The Last Chapter (David Tringham, 1974, 29 min): dark tale in which a successful middle-aged writer (Denholm Elliot) is unbalanced by an assured young fan (Susan Penhaligon).
• Fully illustrated booklet with newly commissioned essays.