UK Kitchen Sink Films (1959-1970)
Kitchen sink realism (or kitchen sink drama) is a British cultural movement that developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s, whose protagonists usually could be described as "angry young men" who were disillusioned with modern society.
It used a style of social realism which depicted the domestic situations of working-class Britons, living in cramped rented accommodation and spending their off-hours drinking in grimy pubs, to explore controversial social and political issues.
The films, plays and novels employing this style are often set in poorer industrial areas in the North of England, and use the accents and slang heard in those regions.
It used a style of social realism which depicted the domestic situations of working-class Britons, living in cramped rented accommodation and spending their off-hours drinking in grimy pubs, to explore controversial social and political issues.
The films, plays and novels employing this style are often set in poorer industrial areas in the North of England, and use the accents and slang heard in those regions.
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- DirectorJack ClaytonStarsLaurence HarveySimone SignoretHeather SearsAn ambitious young accountant plots to wed a wealthy factory owner's daughter despite falling in love with a married older woman.
- DirectorTony RichardsonStarsRichard BurtonClaire BloomMary UreA disillusioned, angry university graduate comes to terms with his grudge against middle-class life and values.
- DirectorKarel ReiszStarsAlbert FinneyShirley Anne FieldRachel RobertsA rebellious, hard-living factory worker juggles relationships with two women, one of whom is married to another man but pregnant with his child.
- DirectorTony RichardsonStarsLaurence OlivierBrenda de BanzieRoger LiveseyArchie Rice, an old-time British music hall performer sinking into final defeat, schemes to stay in show business.
- DirectorTony RichardsonStarsRita TushinghamDora BryanRobert StephensA pregnant teenage girl must fend for herself when her mother remarries, leaving the girl with only a new male friend for support.
- DirectorJohn SchlesingerStarsAlan BatesJune RitchieThora HirdAfter his girlfriend's pregnancy forces him to marry her, a young man must adjust to his new life and contend with his domineering mother-in-law.
- DirectorBryan ForbesStarsLeslie CaronAnthony BoothAvis BunnageA single, pregnant woman moves into a London boarding house where she meets a group of fellow misfits.
- DirectorTony RichardsonStarsMichael RedgraveTom CourtenayAvis BunnageA young thief takes up long-distance running when he is sent to a borstal.
- DirectorLindsay AndersonStarsRichard HarrisRachel RobertsAlan BadelDespite success on the field, a rising rugby star senses the emerging emptiness of his life as his inner angst begins to materialize through aggression and brutality, so he attempts to woo his landlady in hopes of finding reason to live.
- DirectorJohn SchlesingerStarsTom CourtenayJulie ChristieWilfred PicklesA lazy, irresponsible young clerk (Sir Tom Courtenay) in provincial Northern England lives in his own fantasy world and makes emotionally immature decisions as he alienates friends and family.
- DirectorBasil DeardenStarsRita TushinghamMichael SarneBernard LeeA young man employed by a cigarette factory is tired of his working class status and joins a gang planning to rob the factory warehouse.
- DirectorPeter Graham ScottStarsJanet MunroJohn StrideAlan BadelA pretty young woman will do anything to escape her deadly dull existence in the backlots of Wales. But when she reaches the bright lights of London is the price too high?
- DirectorJoan LittlewoodStarsJames BoothBarbara WindsorRoy KinnearAfter 2 years at sea, Charlie comes home to find his house demolished, wife Maggie gone, living with married Bert and their toddler. Charlie leaves a trail of mayhem as he tries to sort things out.
- DirectorSidney J. FurieStarsRita TushinghamColin CampbellDudley SuttonAn immature teenager marries a young biker but becomes disenchanted with the realities of working-class marriage--and her husband's relationship with his best friend.
- DirectorAlvin RakoffStarsKenneth MoreCecil ParkerDennis PriceCharles Byrd, known as "Chick", has spent his adult life acting in small repertory companies all over the UK, and he's never had much luck. All too aware that he's no longer young, Chick makes one last stab at finding success in London.
- DirectorSidney HayersStarsIan HendryJune RitchieAvice LandoneA bored housewife has an affair with her mother's lodger. When he dumps her, she attempts suicide, which brings everyone to their senses.
- DirectorLewis GilbertStarsMichael CaineShelley WintersMillicent MartinAn unrepentant ladies' man gradually begins to understand the consequences of his lifestyle.
- DirectorSilvio NarizzanoStarsJames MasonAlan BatesLynn RedgraveA traditional girl (Lynn Redgrave) resists the advances of a swinger (James Mason) who wants her as his mistress in 1960s London.
- DirectorJohn BoultingRoy BoultingStarsHayley MillsHywel BennettAvril AngersCompassionate look at the troubles of two young newlyweds, whose marriage has yet to be consummated.
- DirectorKen LoachStarsTerence StampCarol WhiteJohn BindonA young woman lives a life full of bad choices. At a young age she has a baby by an abusive thief who quickly lands in prison. When her son goes missing, she gets to grips with what is most important to her.
- DirectorPeter CollinsonStarsSuzy KendallDennis WatermanMaureen LipmanAddresses some of the major 60s social issues - a bored rich London-girl from Chelsea decides to go "slumming" in depressed Battersea, getting a flat and starts factory-work and makes friends... of which one has to get an illegal abortion.
- DirectorKen LoachStarsDavid BradleyBrian GloverFreddie FletcherA working-class English boy spends his free time caring for and training his pet kestrel.
- DirectorBarney Platts-MillsStarsDel WalkerAnne GoodingSam ShepherdDel and his friends agree to take part in a robbery with a boy fresh from the borstal. When Del falls in love with Irene they decide to run away from their nagging parents - and the law.
- DirectorPeter HammondStarsJames MasonDiana CouplandHannah GordonA stern father and lenient mother try to deal with the ups and downs of their four children's lives in working-class Bolton.