If you grew up in Britain in the seventies, you would be well-versed in the comedic TV output of writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais: Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads? (1974–1976) and Porridge (1974–1977) were a staple of whichever night they were broadcast. I loved those shows of course, but in 1983 the pair launched a comedy-drama so replete with character and brilliant dialogue that it stands out for me as a masterpiece: Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.
Seven English construction workers leave an unemployment-hit England to search for employment overseas and find themselves living and working together on a building site in Düsseldorf. The “magnificent seven” characters were Dennis (Tim Healy), Neville (Kevin Whately), Oz (Jimmy Nail), Barry (Timothy Spall), Moxy (Christopher Fairbank), Bomber (Pat Roach) and Wayne (Gary Holton). I don’t know how the casting process works, but they struck gold with this group of actors; they displayed an on-screen chemistry and authenticity that warmed the hearts of the viewing public.
The triumvirate of Dennis, Neville and Oz provide the core of the group due to their Geordie origins and shared trade as brickies, though the three couldn’t be more different: whilst Dennis provides the common sense and pragmatic leadership, Neville is an inexperienced and homesick fish out of water, and Oz…well, what can we say about Oz? No filters or self-consciousness, blunt and irascible, blatantly xenophobic tendencies, a serial absconder from his missus, Oz is no angel (and a constant source of angst to the others)…but hilarious nonetheless.
Barry, an electrician from the Black Country, loves to expound boringly but charmingly on the diverse range of topics he’s read about, which are usually of no interest to the others because they don’t involve beer or women. Wayne the Cockney womaniser of the group, Moxy the slightly odd and usually under-the-weather Scouser, and Bomber, the gentle Bristolian giant who nonetheless is well-capable of looking after himself, complete the group.
The key word for me about Auf Wiedersehen, Pet is “authentic” – the day-to-day banter on site, in “barracks”, and out on the town, feels real and it’s a joy to watch. Here’s a montage of typical Auf Wiedershen, Pet fare.
