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Tuesday Documentary

The Block

Duration: 1 hour, 12 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC One CambridgeshireLatest broadcast: on BBC History Channel

Available for over a year

A moving film about people who live below the poverty line and their struggle to keep afloat.

In the London Borough of Southwark the tenants of Chaucer House, a decrepit half-way house for homeless families, reach breaking point. Angry that once more Southwark had failed to deliver on their promise to tear down the flat block and provide adequate alternative accommodation they stage a demonstration and wait for the officials next move. At the heart of their demonstration is a plea for better housing, better treatment, more understanding and above all a better future.

This highly acclaimed documentary examines the way the officials deal, not only with the tenants of Chaucer, but with those living on or below the poverty line - people subjected daily to interrogation, investigation - those who seem to have been rejected by society. Following the release of the documentary Chaucer House was demolished a year later. (1972) Show less

Contributors

Narrator:
Peter Myers
Producer:
Paul Watson

Genres

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