| When honest young Tolly is forced on the run with ‘Black Jack’, a villainous ruffian, adventure and mishap are never far away. As the two enter a world of body-snatchers, private lunatic asylums, and traveling fairs they find friendship in the most unlikely places. | |
| Release Date: | Sep 09, 1979 |
|---|---|
| Director: | Ken Loach |
| Writer: | Ken Loach, Leon Garfield |
| Genres: | Adventure, History |
| Keywords | based on novel or book, blackmail, carnival, apprentice, northern england, yorkshire, stagecoach, 18th century, child protagonist |
| Production Companies | Kestrel Films |
| Box Office |
Revenue: $0
Budget: $0 |
| Updates |
Updated: Jan 29, 2026 Entered: Apr 25, 2024 |
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Jean Franval | Black Jack |
| Stephen Hirst | Bartholomew 'Tolly' Pickering |
| Louise Cooper | Belle Carter |
| Pat Wallis | Mrs Gorgandy |
| John Young | Dr Hunter |
| William Moore | Mr Carter |
| Doreen Mantle | Mrs Carter |
| Russell Waters | Dr Jones |
| David Rappaport | Tom Thumb's Army |
| Mike Edmonds | Tom Thumb's Army |
| Malcolm Dixon | Tom Thumb's Army |
| Phil Askham | Hangman |
| Brian Hawksley | Parson Hall |
| Dave Daniels | Footman |
| Michael Hinchcliffe | Footman |
| Packie Byrne | Dr Carmody |
| Joyce Smith | Mrs Carmody |
| Andrew Bennett | Hatch |
| Tiny Ross | Tom Thumb's Army |
| Arthur Davies | Mr Hannah |
| Cilla Mason | Mrs Hannah |
| Jackie Shinn | Mr Arbuthnot |
| Les Hickin | Jed |
| Brian Lewis | Jethro |
| Patti Nicholls | Mrs Mitchell |
| Ted Beyer | Inn Keeper |
| Gary Roberts | Sexton |
| Hugh Turner | Porter |
| Paul Copley | Narrator |
| Brian Glover | Narrator (uncredited) |
| Name | Job |
|---|---|
| Ken Loach | Director, Writer |
| Chris Menges | Director of Photography |
| Leon Garfield | Novel |
| Bob Pegg | Original Music Composer |
| Bill Shapter | Editor |
| Martin Johnson | Art Direction, Production Design |
| Sally Nieper | Costume Design |
| Ruth Khan | Makeup Artist |
| Liz Walsh | Hairstylist |
| Raymond Day | First Assistant Director |
| Andrew Boulton | Sound Recordist |
| Eddie Dougall | Boom Operator |
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Tony Garnett | Producer |
| Organization | Category | Person |
|---|
Popularity History
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| 2024 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 2 |
| 2024 | 5 | 7 | 13 | 3 |
| 2024 | 6 | 7 | 27 | 2 |
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| 2024 | 8 | 5 | 12 | 1 |
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| 2024 | 11 | 3 | 7 | 1 |
| 2024 | 12 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 1 |
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| 2025 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 2025 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
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