Introduction

After the War is a drama series by director John Madden.

Outline

Two boys Michael and Joe become friends when Joe arrives at St. George’s school in England as a refugee student. Both are Jewish but one has grown up in a middle class English home, while the other has grown up under the spectre of the growing Nazi movement. Their friendship lasts beyond school when both find careers in film. When they both fall for the same girl they must decide if she is worth destroying their friendship over.

Episodes take us across Europe, France, Africa, Israel, and Greece from 1942 to 1967. The character of Michael Jordan makes his way through the worlds of journalism, theatre and films and, here, the hero’s privileged and sophisticated life is contrasted with that of a fellow Jew, Joe Hirsch, who is not rich or influential but a refugee from war-torn Europe who has to claw his way up in the world. Further, the Raphael figure has a sister, Rachel, whose life ultimately bridges the worlds of both men.

Cast

• Adrian Lukis … Michael Jordan.
• Clare Higgins … Rachel Lucas.
• Ingrid Hafner … Philippa Jordan.
• Robert Reynolds … Joe Hirsch.
• Anton Rodgers … Samuel Jordan.
• Caroline Goodall … Sally Raglan.
• Serena Gordon … Annie Rose.
• Shaughan Seymour … Benedict Bligh.
• Michael Siberry … David Lucas.
• Nicholas Day … Frank Kitson.

After the War Series

• Episode 01: Friends and Enemies.
• Episode 02: Fathers and Sons.
• Episode 03: French and English.
• Episode 04: Rise and Fall.
• Episode 05: Partners.
• Episode 06: Yesterday and Tomorrow.
• Episode 07: Love and Kisses.
• Episode 08: Winds of Change.
• Episode 09: In the Sixties.
• Episode 10: Final Demands.

Presented as “eight installments” over ten hours in the US (New York Times, 1990).

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s):
  • John Madden … (5 episodes, 1989).
  • John Glenister … (3 episodes, 1989).
  • Nicholas Renton … (2 episodes, 1989).
  • Michael Cox … (1 episode, 1989).
• Producer(s):
  • Michael Cox … producer / executive producer (10 episodes, 1989).
  • Sita Williams … producer (4 episodes, 1989).
• Writer(s):
  • Frederic Raphael … (writer) (10 episodes, 1989).
• Music:
• Cinematography:
  • David Odd … (1 episode, 1989).
  • Jon Woods … (1 episode, 1989).
• Editor(s):
  • David Rees … (2 episodes, 1989).
  • David Stocks … (1 episode, 1989).
• Production:
  • Granada Television.
• Distributor(s):
• Release Date: 16 June 1989 to 25 August 1989.
• Rating: Unknown.
• Running Time: 60 minutes (per episode).
• Country: UK.
• Language: English.

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