Saturday Night and Sunday Morning

Plot

Arthur, one of Britain's angry young men of the 1960s, is a hardworking factory worker who slaves all week at his mindless job for his modest wages. Come Saturday night, he's off to the pub for a loud and rowdy beer session. With him is Brenda, his girlfriend of the moment. Married to a fellow worker, she is nonetheless captivated by his rugged good looks and his devil-may-care attitude. Soon a new love interest Doreen enters and a week later, Brenda announces she's pregnant. She tells Arthur she needs money for an abortion, and Arthur promises to pay for it. By this time, his relationship with Doreen has ripened and Brenda, hearing of it, confronts him. He denies everything, but it's obvious that their affair is all but over.

Why watch

"Saturday Night and Sunday Morning" captures the raw essence of working-class life in 1960s Britain, exploring the tumultuous interplay of love, ambition, and societal expectations. With its gritty realism and poignant emotional depth, this film resonates with anyone who has grappled with the weight of unfulfilled dreams.

Talking points

• the impact of class on personal relationships
• the role of masculinity in the 1960s
• the consequences of choices in love and life
• the portrayal of working-class life in cinema

Cultural context

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