If this film had been made a couple or even one year earlier then it would not have been over-shadowed by the Kevin Costner version with all the hype of Bryan Adams selling the film and the film selling the record. (Still that`s show-business). I am not trying to say that one film is better than the other, just that it`s been done so many times (and why not?) that to have two hit our screens at the same time was unfortunate. And yes, wasn't Alan Rickman great? Anyway if you have not seen the John Irwin version give it a go. It is a good film starring Patrick Bergin with my mate Geoff in the backgrounds, and was shot entirely on location at Peckforton, just outside Chester, Tatton Park, just outside Manchester and Swallow Falls in North Wales. A bit more about Geoff coming up.

I first met Geoff at the youth club that I went to (Anybody remember them?) in 1966 playing guitar in a group called "THE UNTOUCHABLES" and he asked if I would sit in on drums for a few numbers as their drummer had some songs he wanted to sing out front. (This was my first public appearance). A few weeks later he asked me if I wanted to join the band (what a daft question) and I agreed. We later changed the name of the band to "BLUE INFLUENCE" and did several gigs locally.

In 1967 I was asked by my girlfriends brother (now my wife....no not her brother!) if I would form a band with him, I did and Geoff joined us. This band was the 'THE ALAN KENT TRIO'.

A few months later Geoff left to form another band playing Rock Music - This band was called 'HAVOC' and was fronted by BADGER BELL a well respected singer from our area. I sat in a few times with them when their drummer who shall remain nameless (and that`s the way it should be) didn't turn up or ambled in half way through the gig. There was no love lost between him and me and he had quite an apathetic attitude to other people. He thought he was Gods gift to drummers Personally I didn't rate him - although he did keep a steady solid beat which suited the music...of course, that is if he bothered to show up.

Geoff is still in the music business and also gets parts in films and TV programs such as Brookside, Boon and Far from the madding crowd, he also promotes shows and artists at local venues.