Can’t believe I was a knowledge boy in 1974. Retired 2018, !!!

@citizen1163

3 жыл бұрын

Congratulations! You must have a book in you after all those years of being a cabbie, unless you've already written it!

@Paul-fq9pj

3 жыл бұрын

@@citizen1163 a good book for you is it’s “Tales from the Ranks and Beyond “by Roger Lewis

@clareshaughnessy2745

3 жыл бұрын

Ooh, how long did it take to pass?

@everagull81

3 жыл бұрын

13 months in total.!!!

@everagull81

3 жыл бұрын

@@Paul-fq9pj Thanks for the tip.!!!

First time I have seen this since it was first aired. Stands the test of time. Great.

@robertdore9592

Жыл бұрын

Great scripts, actors and directors always do.

I am only six and a half minutes in and the amount of actors I recognise is unbelievable. Can't believe I have never seen this before.

@lennywebb6740

2 жыл бұрын

@Newsbender Hahaha! Yes. Mick Ford. Frank Gallagher was the original Archer.

@coventrypunx1014

Жыл бұрын

@@lennywebb6740 Archer - my favourite character in Scum

@robertdore9592

Жыл бұрын

neither can I 🙂

Great film. A real who's who of UK acting talent. Nigel Hawthorn, Michael Elphick, Gary Holton, Nicholas Ball and many more. Great rewatch.

Jack Rosenthal was a complete genius. Loved it.

@darganx

3 жыл бұрын

He had a talent for quirky characters, for sure!

One of the funniest dramas ever made! Watch out for Gary Holton who went on to star in Auf Wiedersehen Pet and tragically died during the second series. The casting and script is second to none - just like Auf Wiedersehen Pet!

The wonderful Nigel Hawthorn. What a trip down memory lane this was.

@RobertLocksley385

3 жыл бұрын

Together with Michael Elphick, Maureen Lipman, and a brief visit from Nadeem Sawalha as the Arab. A really great fun film.

@thefloorkiller

2 жыл бұрын

Don't forget Lesley Joseph

@spidyman8853

Жыл бұрын

@@RobertLocksley385 Lesley Joseph of Birds of a Feather Poor old Nadeem, he was always given jobs as an Arab guy. That's how it was back in the 70s and 80s and I guess he needed the money for his family. He is Jordanian I believe.

This film is about the many sides to being British i recognize everyone of these characters it's one of the great British films shame it's been "hiding" in a cupboard somewhere.

I'm 60 yrs now I do remember watching this so luved it excellent

Remember watching when it first came out, quality. Nigel Hawthorne brilliant as usual, loved when he asked Michael Elphick if he was a removal man or a kleptomaniac when he moved the chair forward.

@andylane247

Жыл бұрын

😂😂😂

WOW I loved the movie. 1st time watching this today on YT. Didn't watch this back in 1979 coz I was a young lad. Nice to see the old London I grew up in and nice to see no parking restrictions and no CCTV cameras. As far I can recall most Londoners lived in the centre of London (Inner London) and then, eventually, most Londoners moved out for various reasons stemming from affordability to noise pollution and what have you. Anyway, back then, the Knowledge to be a Black Cab driver was a great thing for earning very good money. Now a days, the Knowledge is a dying thing coz mini cabbing/Uber has taken over with Smart phones having built in SatNav.

I faced the dreaded Mr Findley. Drove a cab 30 years. Happy days be lucky. 22402 1975.

Amazing performance from Nigel Hawthorne . Incredibly funny script for the introductory meeting .

Wow. Loved this movie back in the day. I was a cabbie in Melbourne where we learned on the job. Took me years. Can't imagine having to do this. So good to see it again. There isn't much to thank YT for, but this deserves it. Thank you KZread. Edit: In Melbourne we at least had a thing called the Melway, which is without doubt the greatest street directory on the planet. Beats the old A to Z hands down.

Mick Ford's first appearance (Test) had me in stitches. Seriously though, I now know why London's official Hackney carriages cost a fortune. Full respect to those learned men and women who've put in all that hard work as required by the Knowledge.

@alan1340

3 жыл бұрын

Ahh but can they speak English?

@staypress

2 жыл бұрын

@@alan1340 well not nowadays so much

@theculturedthug6609

Жыл бұрын

Do you still need to do the Knowledge for a black cab in London today what with SatNavs etc?

Wow. Written by Jack Rosenthal(husband of Maureen Lipman) and starring Nigel Hawthrone. I remember watching this on repeat on Channel 4 in the 1990s. A great little one-off TV drama.

The people want progress but none of them want to change. You try your best to move on in life and the moment you put your right foot first, then the questions come. Really good film about relationships, as well as cabbing.

A wonderful film - a real slice of London life. I've watched it many times. The story, writing and acting are the finest.

Nigel Hawthorn “The Vampire”🧛🏻 ..... the man is a legend! 😆😆😆😆😆

Great stuff 👍💯🇬🇧 all our old friends, 🙏💯 bless them, as a SOUTH LONDONER 🇬🇧 great location's, memories 💓🇬🇧🗣️💯🙏😇💪👁️☠️👁️🎬🧐

Thanks for posting. Watched this film in my teens. Never forgot the scene at 24.54. Hidden Classic.

The History of the Hackney Carriage: The horse drawn carriage service first began in central London in 1636, a maximum of fifty was set. Today a 'Knowledge Boy' has to know 25,000 streets, within the 6 mile radius of Charing Cross Station, to be awarded his green badge.

@ruadhagainagaidheal9398

3 жыл бұрын

Plus the 150,000 points of interest and the routes between them - in both directions as the one way systems make it different each way. I’ve retired now and I worked out that I drove 1.3 million miles in my 37 years driving various makes of taxi. FX4s, FX4Rs, FX4Ss, TX1,2,3 and 4 also Metrocab and Vito. I loved every single day and night of it.

@hookbeak3516

3 жыл бұрын

@@ruadhagainagaidheal9398 you bring whole new meaning to the term 'the knowledge', you must have met some interesting people, those that were sociable enough to chat.

@robmckay5700

3 ай бұрын

What’s the blue badge?

@swt11159

2 ай бұрын

Blue badge is a tourist guide badge, it has nothing to do with the knowledge although some cabbies did it as was extra income i suppose, I'm presuming you took a test on the history of london and it's buildings, london cabbies had a green badge which gave the right to ply for hire in the whole of the Met police area and a yellow badge which is a suburban badge and was specific to a suburb area​@@robmckay5700

Saw it once in 1980...still great!

I remember watching this decades ago and couldn't find it anywhere, so thanks for posting it. One of Nigel Hawthorne's most masterly performances.

Every one of the actors in this film have appeared in Minder and the Professionals. Great film.

@Elitist20

5 ай бұрын

Made by the same people - Euston Films - who made Minder.

Thank you for upload. A great British gem I remember from my childhood.

brilliant watched this because my boyfriend recommended it to me as hes an ex london cab driver and said it was so true to life

Grew up in Barnsbury and went to school just round the corner...Copenhagen Street and School...some of the BEST years of my life!!!

@rockingmods

2 жыл бұрын

I was across the road in Amwell St. I remember the cafe they all used; corner of Penton and White Lion st. It had a sign that said.. "All the water in this establishment has been passed by the Management". As a child I thought it was hilarious. Ironically I live in Gibson sq now

@Kenistyless

2 жыл бұрын

@@rockingmods Trying to buy a house in Thornhill Sq. But at 2mill, it's not easy...l really don't want to live anywhere else in London but Barnsbury; it's STILL the best!...Home is where the heart is...

@rockingmods

2 жыл бұрын

@@Kenistyless Yep.

@Kenistyless

2 жыл бұрын

@@rockingmods you're So lucky; l'm jealous...

@Londonfogey

Жыл бұрын

I worked in the area for 19 years and must have walked round every street and square in that part of London in my lunch hour. I particularly liked Myddleton Square and the church of St Mark. There's a novel called 'Riceyman Steps' by Arnold Bennet set around there which is very good.

A masterpiece. Loved every single minute of it.

Thank you for this one, haven't seen it in yonks. A really great film.

A delight, thanks for posting. Thames TV did some very good dramas.

@iAmScott86

6 жыл бұрын

They've turned this into a west end theatre show now. Charing X theatre

Just had our honeymoon in London and were fascinated by the taxi and uber drivers. I (a Dubliner) told my wife (a New Yorker) about seeing The Knowledge decades ago and SHE wanted to see it. The dialogue is hard to make out and the subtitles are unintelligible but it's still a fantastic look at Londeon in the Seventies, a goodhearted and entertaining TV movie. Glad it was posted here - cheers.

@D1CE579

2 ай бұрын

Only offical London Black Taxis have to endure 3/4 years on the Knowledge.. Uber drivers haven’t a clue where they’re going.

Nigel Humphries and Mick Ford being in the 1979 film 'Scum' where Mick Ford played the part of Archer.

Brilliant stuff. Also from the writer Jack roshenthal is a film called. “The Chain” a similar ish film about 7 different house moves in London. Starting with a flat in Hackney and ending in Knightsbridge. Well worth watching. Tons of actors you know, and Nigel hawthorn plays a great character in this one too. Well worth looking for. It’s actually on KZread ( just checked 😉)

A few good memories popped up in this gem of a film! I managed to get this on DVD a few years ago. How it landed on my list to watch I've no idea but i was surprised and happy to see it and watched it straight away! Thank you for uploading 💖 🛵👍💞👏🚦💖🚦👏💞👍🛵 🚦..Remembering..Jimmies,🚦 🛵.....a.fellow.'Knowledge'.....🛵 🚦.............successor.............🚦 🛵👍💞👏🚦💖🚦👏💞👍🛵

Wow, thanks for posting this. This is a real gem.

Lovely to watch this again, it's as good as I remembered it. Thank you for uploading.

A gem of an upload, thank you!

Another classic from 79. Mick Ford was also in Scum with Ray Winstone. What with Ray also being in That Summer and Quadrophenia they both had a cracking year.

I used to work near the cafe where this was filmed and used to see the actors filming in Smithfield Market.

@rockingmods

2 жыл бұрын

I was across the road in Amwell St. I remember the cafe they all used; corner of Penton and White Lion st. It had a sign that said.. "All the water in this establishment has been passed by the Management". As a child I thought it was hilarious. Ironically I live in Gibson sq now

Can’t believe I’ve never saw this. Thanks for the upload

I remember when this was on telly a huge hit thanks for posting . I was 14 then wow

When I first saw this, would have never dreamt of sat nav

Thank you so much for posting this I was kid when this was first shown ❤️

Loved it.. Cheers and God bless. Thank you. 🙏🙏🙏

I remember seeing this on Australian telly as a kid.

Gold! Nuff said.

Surely the Satnav has put paid to the knowledge! I never heard of the knowledge even although I lived in London for a time. I was told oal abaht i’ by Brian Conley when he was a young act in Jersey. His dad was a black cabbie. I found the story unforgettable!

@dubiouscaesar3709

Ай бұрын

A knowledge boy would leave a driver with a satnav well behind, road closures, different lanes, unprecedented events etc these add more time on to any driver, but a knowledge boy will be impacted least, look a Uber drivers, they're not usually the brightest, and they have to go exactly by what their satnav says, even when it's not always right.

Excellent upload Thanks :}

I know Londons' streets really well from cycling around it for many years.

@patcom1013

3 жыл бұрын

But do you have 'The Knowledge' ???

I remember this being on ITV in I think 1981 and then reshown on Channel 4 in 1985 or so-not too sure about that though. Great film, so thank you there then so too!

I'm surprised they've not included pub recommendations in the knowledge - that's what I go for whenever I visit London and take a taxi - a good pub

@spannerintheworks1190

3 жыл бұрын

Not the best of pints in London, no head on their lager, what's that all about?

@ruadhagainagaidheal9398

3 жыл бұрын

As I remember , there were some pubs included in the Knowledge, The Anchor , Bankside; The Grenadier in Knightsbridge; and The Sherlock Holmes off Northumberland Ave come to mind. Most of them come with experience though. No point in asking about what goes on inside them as I never drink and drive ;)

@licensedtaximan4271

3 жыл бұрын

I was never asked about pubs whilst on the "Knowledge" in 1973. Without being snooty I can't even remember the last time I went to one as I don't like alcohol, i'm not teetotal I just don't like the stuff. The only pubs I can think of off the top of my head are, The Sherlock Holmes as mentioned elsewhere just off Northumberland Ave near Trafalgar Square, the Spaniards Inn Hampstead near Whitestone Pond, The Flask at the top of Highgate West Hill and the The Churchill Arms in Kensington Church Street as it's usually smothered in foliage. That's it, either way I wouldn't know a good pub from a bad one. .

Imagine going for your appearance and finding Sir Humphrey Appleby is your examiner!

I did it and to this day don't know how. In my 30th year now. The maddest job I've ever done. Had a few funny apearences . All in all glad I passed it.

Jack Rosenthal is a genius. This, the Evacuees, Ptang Yang Kipperbang (had a huge crush on Abigail Cruttenden by the way) etc.

@Londonfogey

Жыл бұрын

Ptang Yang Kipperbang was considered extremely 'racy' when I was at school!

Never forgot that final speech by Nigel Hawthorne - before he was Sir Humphrey, he was 'The Vampire'.

A gem

In room 12, I thought I saw Paul Eddington, but dismissed it saying, "what would an actor of that calibre/magnitude be doing in something like this?" And then in walked Nigel Hawthorne.

@illaveyoubutler3588

3 жыл бұрын

This is a Jack Rosenthal play.....any actor would be proud to do it

@PetroicaRodinogaster264

3 жыл бұрын

they all had to start somewhere. So why not in this? Remember Eddington did The Good Life which was stupid.

@krell2130

3 жыл бұрын

@@PetroicaRodinogaster264 They do all have to start somewhere, true, but Eddington started decades before this tripe.

@krell2130

3 жыл бұрын

​@@illaveyoubutler3588 Wake up. Anyone who promotes and glorifies infidelity is simply state sponosored scum.

@keithbentley6081

3 жыл бұрын

@@krell2130 Take your medication weirdo!

Geat film. Noticed Ang and Laurence from Abigail's in there too.

You see them all over London on scooters with a clipboard the windshield Doing the Knowledge !

Great film of a bygone era - certainly Very realistic and brings back memories of the carriage office in penton street . Sadly now governed by tfl who don’t seem to have London’s finest taxi drivers best interests .

euston films classic

When I was on the knowledge one of my mates, an ex copper called George, had the temperament test where they wind you up to see how you react to stress. Poor George came back to the knowledge school in tears. We all told him that the “ wind up” was normal and we all got it, but George took it badly. We didn’t see him after that , we learnt later that he took a shotgun to Epping forest and shot himself. The knowledge can be like that.

@marccas10

3 жыл бұрын

Hang on! what? How does that work? They send a "customer" who tries to drive you mad? Poor bloke! A "temperament check" I have only been to London a few times but I always thought that the Black cab guys don't take any crap from anyone and will just chuck you out of there cab?

Amazing film!!

Mrs Richards: "I paid for a room with a view !" Basil: (pointing to the lovely view) "That is Torquay, Madam." Mrs Richards: "It's not good enough!" Basil: "May I ask what you were expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically past?..." Mrs Richards: "Don't be silly! I expect to be able to see the sea!" Basil: "You can see the sea, it's over there between the land and the sky." Mrs Richards: "I'm not satisfied. But I shall stay. But I expect a reduction." Basil: "Why?! Because Krakatoa's not erupting at the moment?

Retired now but did the knowledge in 81....thanks to uber,the game is well and truly finished. Sad,but joe public gets the service they wished for Sad times.

@licensedtaximan4271

3 жыл бұрын

With the uber's loss in the courts recently things may well change, there are other PHV apps out there but they play by the rules uber (small "u" by the way) most certainly has not and do not. They also base themselves abroad so pay no corporation tax and VAT therefore they contribute nothing into the UK's economy. I don't feel that "the games dead" but it certainly isn't what it was that's for sure. People don't expect plumbers, electricians, roofers & builders plus others who have studied and trained to learn their trade with NVQ's etc, etc to offer their services for nunpence. But they expect to get into our very expensive purpose built taxis with proper wheelchair accessibility with all the studying we did (there is a massive value to that) and offer the same prices as someone who does no studying, no training and offer their services in an ordinary cheap-ish car. Basically you get what you pay for and when the general public are involved in accidents very often caused by their PHV driver (see many pictures of that on the web) that's their problem end of. I passed out in '73 and because of the pandemic I have not worked since the last week of March 2020 but I will be going back when things improve later this year. I believe that when I originally passed out I may well have been the youngest on the road at that point. Anyway enjoy your retirement, but at 69 i'm not ready for that yet.

@JJVernig

9 ай бұрын

I take a normal cab when in London, and don't need the drive into the ground. Just like @licensedtaximan4271 says, it's double whammy. Not taxes and no knowledge. How's Londen with the current 20mph, and all those road narrowing. I've just so much respect you can do it for a living, and not get completely mad!

Mrs Weller is Dame Maureen Lipman now!

@spidyman8853

Жыл бұрын

And not forgetting Lesley Joseph of Birds of a feather

@bananabrooks3836

Жыл бұрын

Yes, and it wouldn't have mattered how tired l was.....

THE CYCLIST WAS PHOEBE,S DAD ERIC IN GOODNIGHT SWEETHEART

Excellent film,great entertainment

If you could learn The Knowledge, you could learn anything!

David Ryall (Titanic) cycling by the church message board 🤣

Great British movie. This should have cult status

@vtecpreludevtec

4 жыл бұрын

🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿has

@Oakleaf700

4 жыл бұрын

Our dad loved it!...Chips up nose if I remember from decades back...

@darganx

3 жыл бұрын

It does, took 40 years to find this gem!

@illaveyoubutler3588

3 жыл бұрын

@@darganx It is on a Network DVD box set called ‘Jack Rosenthal at ITV’....Full of likewise gems

@boilerroombob

11 күн бұрын

Amen

I was a cabbie for eight years, four in Portsmouth UK and four in Sydney Aus. Not once did I get any aggro. I had plenty of potential but it was always sorted out, mostly over money. I found plenty of fares would get physical given the slightest excuse so the knack was never to give ‘‘em any.

Brilliant stuff. Nigel Hawthorne in top form as the bureaucratic martinet and CEO of Misery Inc. They don't make 'em like this anymore.

Now we commit to memory “Hey Siri,”

I think Lesley Joseph from Birds of a Feather is in this too

@bananabrooks3836

Жыл бұрын

Yes, do you think she had a nose job?

Dad used to make me test his him on runs, I think I knew the knowledge when I was 12 lol

@LandersWorkshop

3 жыл бұрын

Did you take the knowledge later? I knew a bloke who passed the knowledge but he was never able to get a drive (a taxi to use).

@jamiefors5062

3 жыл бұрын

@@LandersWorkshop no mate, lot of mates from school did but I didn’t

That London is gone. Most of the buildings and infrastructure is still there but the civilisation that built it is mostly gone. Sad, very sad.

Love this film. A real British gem 💎 It's probably not important but if Ted Margolis learned the first 180 runs after only 56 days, then he would have finished the book in under 6 months, no? Do the runs become longer and harder as you progress?

Just seeing this film makes me nervous.

1:25 absolutely classic! I go down t’main road, and then i what?

Nadia and Julia Sawalha s daddy how lovely x

@spidyman8853

Жыл бұрын

Poor guy, he was always typed cast and given the Arab man job throughout 70s and 80s

Gary Holton at it again lol!

God, London was grim in the 70's........still is.. QUESTION: in these high=tech days of satnavs, etc. do London cabbies still have to prove their knowledge?

@jamiefors5062

3 жыл бұрын

Take a black cab then take an Uber, you’ll see

@LandersWorkshop

3 жыл бұрын

You do if you want a Hackney Badge.

@spidyman8853

Жыл бұрын

Blair I preferred the old London. Why ? no parking restrictions, no congestion charge/ULEZ, just great to drive to London and park any where you like. Gone them days.

@blairmacewancrosbie8646

Жыл бұрын

@@spidyman8853 HI Spidy Man, I recall London in the 60's..walking down carnaby Street and Petticoat Lane..... The summer of 67 was incredible ..

Nigel Hawthorne ever playing the "Agony Aunt" (more often causing agony)

Bear left roundabout...

1:45 "What's the Knowledge, then" "It's a form of euthanasia" I. Love. This. Movie. If I ever get to the UK, the highlight of the trip would be to afford a day in a Black Cab watching a Master of the Trade.

@billparrish9200

2 жыл бұрын

I wouldn't, mate. They'll take you four miles to get 300 yards.

Sir Humphrey 'as the knowledge, know wot I mean?

Would be even more interesting if they had gotten Ozzy Osbourne to sing the ending credit song instead of Mick Ford, not knocking Ford.

Love the movie, but wondering now that there's GPS, how has the system changed? Can a current London cabbie please advise? Thanks!

@iAmScott86

4 жыл бұрын

George Chen Still the same system in principle, however the methods have changed slightly. 3 - 4 years of study in total. Exams are the same format.

@grahamd5418

4 жыл бұрын

Working and doing the Knowledge is bloody hard.

God everyone were sarcastic in the 70's

@Gerry_Davies

2 жыл бұрын

And the 80's. A whole generation of us grew up with sh*t social skills because in our formative years we aspired to be Trisha Yates out of Grange Hill.

@spidyman8853

Жыл бұрын

@@Gerry_Davies Especially with the TUT sounds that comes out of her gob LOL

@londonlady227

9 ай бұрын

​@@spidyman8853skool caancill...

Laurence from Abigails Party. In the opening scene.

@grahamd5418

3 жыл бұрын

Oh and Ange at the reception desk.

I remember the little knowledge hut opposite pentonville prison on Cally road

Vics inhaler. The good old days

He did go in to politics. He was called sir Humphrey.

They're lucky they're not living in U2 land. Where the streets have no name.

Another British tv good cast comedy

Mr Burgess:"Don't you have the knowledge to do? Don't you have somebody to kill?"

wow! haven't seen it for donkey's.

Ever since Transport for London took over the standards have dropped.

@LandersWorkshop

3 жыл бұрын

Really? In what way? Has the Knowledge Test been watered down?!

@shaks2085

3 жыл бұрын

@@LandersWorkshop well for starters. New drivers aren't as knowledgeable. How can a driver (new) working at Heathrow not know where the Dorchester is? Secondly knowing English was important. Now drivers who can't speak English are some how able to pass the knowledge without even being able to speak English properly. How can you tell the examiner the route your taking in the exam if you can't speak English or pronounce the road correctly? Hardly seen a Knowledge boy or girl out in the last 2 years and yet they're flying out with badges. A lot are relying on Google maps to do the knowledge. When they get the badge. That's the main thing they rely on in the cab. Google maps. Makes you think? Are TFL deliberately lowering the standards to the point where customers tend to wonder, why they're paying black cab prices when the driver is the same as in the private hire vehicle?

@LandersWorkshop

3 жыл бұрын

@@shaks2085 Damn, when did Transport for London take over?

@shaks2085

3 жыл бұрын

@@LandersWorkshop under the mayor Ken Livingston. Was under the metropolitan police. Much more strict and stringent back then with their criminal record checks too

@LandersWorkshop

3 жыл бұрын

@@shaks2085 Wow. Where I got mine up-country it used to be the police also. they even used to accompany prospective taxi-drivers and test them on the roads before granting them a license. But the council do it all now.