Colin Welland obit

Colin Welland obituary

This article is more than 9 years old

Actor and screenwriter who took Hollywood by storm with the 1981 film Chariots of Fire 

He was not on the list.

When Colin Welland, who has died aged 81 after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, was handed the Oscar for his screenplay of Chariots of Fire in 1982, he waved it in the air like a battle mace and declared: “The British are coming!” In fact, it was some years before another British film received an Academy award. But Welland as a screenwriter had certainly arrived.

Hollywood recognition for Chariots of Fire, which was based on the true story of two athletes in the 1924 Olympics, gave him immense satisfaction. He later wrote that the initial American reaction to the idea had been: who wants a story about two runners from long ago? “When we showed it at Twickenham, a Hollywood producer left after 10 minutes, came back at the end and said that they wouldn’t have anything to do with it. When it won four Oscars, I don’t know where he hid himself.”

Welland was a champion of British talent and complained about a lack of investment in it. His own reputation was based on his versatility as an actor and writer in theatre, television and film. As the English teacher Mr Farthing, in Ken Loach’s film Kes (1969), he won a Bafta for best supporting actor. He became a popular figure after three years (1962-65) in the television police series Z Cars. It was, he recalled, “written by the best writers and had the best directors” – including Loach. Welland’s reputation grew alongside the rise of the political left in the 1970s; his views were inspired by a personal background that he saw as limiting and unfair.

He was born Colin Williams in Leigh, Lancashire, and grew up in Liverpool, the son of Jack, a keen leftwinger and trade unionist, and his wife, Nora. His father forbade mention of Winston Churchill, a controversial figure with the left since his time as home secretary in 1910, and refused to fly the Union Jack on Empire Day, as was common practice at the time. Sometimes theirs was the only house in the street not to do so.

Welland attended Newton-le-Willows grammar school, St Helens, where he was good at acting and art. But he disliked selective education and later said in the Observer that grammar schools were “the epitome of bad education”.

After spells at Bretton Hall College of Education, West Yorkshire, and at Goldsmiths College in London, where he gained a teacher’s diploma in art and drama, he became an art teacher (1958-62). Meanwhile, he would sit in the bar of the New Theatre in Manchester, which was frequented by Granada TV staff, hoping to wangle a job as an assistant floor manager. It never happened, but he was eventually offered a job as an assistant stage manager and actor by David Scase at Manchester Library theatre (1962-64). Welland would joke that not only had he played the lead in Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party, but he had also swept the stage and managed the props between speaking his lines.

He also tried his hand at radio, presenting the BBC news programme North at Six. Told to speak informally, as if to friends in a pub, he was accused by listeners in Cheshire of not being able to speak the Queen’s English, and lost the job. Meanwhile, though, the acting roles were coming in. After appearing in the Granada TV crime series The Verdict Is Yours, he was given the part of PC David Graham in the BBC’s groundbreaking series Z Cars, and became a familiar face in the nation’s sitting rooms.

The stage work that followed included playing in farce in Johannesburg at £140 a week. He had pangs of conscience about going to South Africa to play before segregated audiences, but comforted himself with the thought that back in Britain he would have a retort to those who argued with him about apartheid: “Yes, but have you ever actually been there?”

In films, too, his Z Cars experience came in handy. He played a detective in the film Villain (1971), about an East End gangster played by Richard Burton. In the meantime, also, he was developing as a writer. In the late 60s he wrote his first play, Bangelstein’s Boys, intended for stage production and built around the life and obscenities of a rugby club outing. It was at a time when the TV campaigner Mary Whitehouse and her supporters were on the attack and theatre managements were cautious. Welland’s own account of the situation was that stage impresarios had laughed loud and long at the experiences of the rugby outing, but then said it was too vulgar.

When the play was produced on ITV’s Sunday Night Theatre in 1969, it proved to be so popular that he stepped up his writing (in longhand in notebooks), creating in 1970 the plays The Hallelujah Handshake for the BBC and – screened a week later on ITV – Roll on Four O’Clock, drawing on his own experiences as a teacher and heightening the frustrations he had felt. Another TV play from that year, Say Goodnight to Your Grandma, was turned into a West End success with its title tweaked to Say Goodnight to Grandma (1973), its blend of political militancy and bawdy humour making it highly fashionable. Its principal character was a wife who fights her jealous mother-in-law, who is always trying to exclude her, by turning up to a party dressed in a football shirt and red knickers, and propositioning every man in sight. Kisses at Fifty (1973), an exploration of middle-aged affairs, won him a Bafta. In 1970, 1973 and 1974 he received the Writers’ Guild awards for best TV playwright.

The Thatcherite and Majoresque 80s and 90s were not the most fruitful ground for Welland, whose political stance was seen by some as becoming old hat, but following on from his writing successes with Yanks (1979), directed by John Schlesinger and starring Vanessa Redgrave and Richard Gere, and Chariots of Fire, he pulled off memorable adaptations for the big screen: A Dry White Season (1989), based on a novel by André Brink and starring Donald Sutherland and Janet Suzman, and War of the Buttons (1994).

As an actor he had always done well in films – in addition to Kes, his appearances included Straw Dogs (1971) and Dancin’ Thru the Dark (1990), directed by Mike Ockrent and written by Willy Russell. On TV, he was in Dennis Potter’s play Blue Remembered Hills (1979).

On stage, he starred in Howard Brenton’s 1988 Royal Shakespeare Company “deconstruction” of Winston Churchill, The Churchill Play, in which he portrayed the great war leader as a less than great politician and a less than perfect man. In one of his final TV roles, he played the Everton manager Harry Catterick in The Fix (1997).

Welland’s columns on sport for the Observer and the Independent proved popular. One included a resounding denunciation of snobbish rules imposed by golf clubs, headlined Beware the Bores and Bigots. His admirers insisted that his broad streak of concern for human decency prevented him from becoming either.

Welland married Patricia Sweeney in 1962. She survives him, along with a son, three daughters and six grandchildren.

 Colin Welland (Colin Williams), screenwriter and actor, born 4 July 1934; died 2 November 2015

 Dennis Barker died earlier this year

Writer

War of the Buttons (1994)

War of the Buttons

7.3

adapted for the screen by

1994

 

Screen One (1985)

Screen One

6.7

TV Series

Writer

1994

1 episode

 

To theatro tis Defteras (1970)

To theatro tis Defteras

8.1

TV Series

play

1991

1 episode

 

Tanita Tikaram: Little Sister Leaving Town (1990)

Tanita Tikaram: Little Sister Leaving Town

Music Video

written by

1990

 

A Dry White Season (1989)

A Dry White Season

7.0

screenplay

1989

 

Gene Hackman, Ally Sheedy, Ellen Burstyn, and Amy Madigan in Twice in a Lifetime (1985)

Twice in a Lifetime

6.4

Writer

1985

 

Brad Davis, Ben Cross, Yves Beneyton, Colin Bruce, Ian Charleson, Dennis Christopher, Patrick Doyle, Nicholas Farrell, Daniel Gerroll, Stephen Mallatratt, Alan Polonsky, Struan Rodger, Edward Wiley, Benny Young, and David John in Chariots of Fire (1981)

Chariots of Fire

7.1

original screenplay

1981

 

Yanks (1979)

Yanks

6.4

screenplay by

story by

1979

 

Play for Today (1970)

Play for Today

7.8

TV Series

play

writer

written by

1970–1976

5 episodes

 

Liz Goulding in Good Lad Terry (1975)

The Wild West Show

7.4

TV Series

writer

1975

6 episodes

 

Liebe mit 50

TV Movie

Writer

1973

 

Scene (1968)

Scene

6.6

TV Series

writer

1972

1 episode

 

Peter Sallis and Jeanette Sterke in The Ten Commandments (1971)

The Ten Commandments

7.4

TV Series

screenplay

1971

1 episode

 

Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Paul Scofield, and Anna Calder-Marshall in ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969)

ITV Saturday Night Theatre

5.9

TV Series

writer

1969–1971

3 episodes

 

Armchair Theatre (1956)

Armchair Theatre

7.5

TV Series

written by

1970

1 episode

 

Actor

Bramwell (1995)

Bramwell

7.8

TV Series

Mr. Barclay

1998

1 episode

 

Trial & Retribution (1997)

Trial & Retribution

7.6

TV Series

Mallory

1997

2 episodes

 

The Fix (1997)

The Fix

6.7

TV Movie

Harry Catterick

1997

 

Screen Two (1984)

Screen Two

6.4

TV Series

Martin Harty

1993

1 episode

 

For the Greater Good (1991)

For the Greater Good

7.5

TV Series

Sir David Whites

1991

1 episode

 

Tim Bentinck, Moira Brooker, and Louisa Rix in Made in Heaven (1990)

Made in Heaven

TV Series

Howard

1990

1 episode

 

Spymaker: The Secret Life of Ian Fleming (1990)

Spymaker: The Secret Life of Ian Fleming

6.2

TV Movie

Reuters Editor

1990

 

Dancin' Thru the Dark (1990)

Dancin' Thru the Dark

6.8

Branskys Manager

1990

 

Screenplay (1986)

Screenplay

6.4

TV Series

Klarsfeld

1987

1 episode

 

Farmers Arms

TV Movie

Wally

1983

 

Cowboys (1980)

Cowboys

7.5

TV Series

Geyser

1980–1981

13 episodes

 

Play for Today (1970)

Play for Today

7.8

TV Series

Chief Constable James McBride

Willie

Onslow ...

1974–1981

4 episodes

 

After Dark

6.2

TV Movie

1979

 

Z Cars (1962)

Z Cars

7.0

TV Series

Angry Northerner

PC David Graham

PC Ray Graham ...

1962–1978

88 episodes

 

How to Stay Alive (1978)

How to Stay Alive

TV Series

1978

13 episodes

 

John Ronane and Patricia Routledge in The Cost of Loving (1977)

The Cost of Loving

TV Series

Albert Royston

1977

1 episode

 

Lynda Bellingham in Cottage to Let (1977)

Cottage to Let

TV Series

Albert Rodway

1977

1 episode

 

Diane Keen, John Thaw, and Dennis Waterman in Sweeney! (1977)

Sweeney!

6.7

Frank Chadwick

1977

 

Nina Baden-Semper, Kate O'Mara, Leonard Rossiter, Ewen Solon, and Colin Welland in Machinegunner (1976)

Machinegunner

7.3

TV Movie

Jack Bone

1976

 

Liz Goulding in Good Lad Terry (1975)

The Wild West Show

7.4

TV Series

1975

 

John Thaw in The Sweeney (1975)

The Sweeney

8.1

TV Series

Tober

1975

1 episode

 

George Cole, Rod Culbertson, Alan Erasmus, Tom Georgeson, Bernard Hepton, Ron Moody, John Nightingale, and Colin Welland in Village Hall (1974)

Village Hall

7.7

TV Series

Ted

1974

1 episode

 

Man at the Top (1970)

Man at the Top

6.9

TV Series

Charlie Armitage

1972

5 episodes

 

Dustin Hoffman in Straw Dogs (1971)

Straw Dogs

7.4

Rev. Barney Hood

1971

 

Phyllis Calvert and Jack Hedley in Kate (1970)

Kate

8.0

TV Series

Johnny Cross

1971

1 episode

 

Richard Burton in Villain (1971)

Villain

6.5

Tom Binney

1971

 

Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Paul Scofield, and Anna Calder-Marshall in ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969)

ITV Saturday Night Theatre

5.9

TV Series

Lennie Brown

Bill

1969–1970

2 episodes

 

Armchair Theatre (1956)

Armchair Theatre

7.5

TV Series

Tony

1970

1 episode

 

Irene Handl and Wilfred Pickles in For the Love of Ada (1970)

For the Love of Ada

7.2

TV Series

Albert Bingley

1970

1 episode

 

Comedy Playhouse (1961)

Comedy Playhouse

7.2

TV Series

Dave Sullivan

Liverpool Supporter

1965–1970

2 episodes

 

David Bradley in Kes (1969)

Kes

7.9

Mr. Farthing

1969

 

Patrick O'Connell and Joanna Van Gyseghem in Fraud Squad (1969)

Fraud Squad

7.0

TV Series

Olly West

1969

1 episode

 

Jackanory (1965)

Jackanory

7.1

TV Series

Storyteller

1969

5 episodes

 

Thanks

Wings on Their Heels: The Making of 'Chariots of Fire' (2005)

Wings on Their Heels: The Making of 'Chariots of Fire'

7.1

Video

special thanks

2005

 

Soundtrack

Screen Two (1984)

Screen Two

6.4

TV Series

performer: "Widecombe Fair"

1993

1 episode

 

Self

Tony Garnett, Simon Golding, Barry Hines, Ken Loach, and Colin Welland in Kes Screentalk (2015)

Kes Screentalk

Video

Self

2015

 

British Film Forever (2007)

British Film Forever

6.7

TV Mini Series

Self

2007

2 episodes

 

Wings on Their Heels: The Making of 'Chariots of Fire' (2005)

Wings on Their Heels: The Making of 'Chariots of Fire'

7.1

Video

Self

2005

 

Stars Reunited (2003)

Stars Reunited

TV Series

Self

2004

1 episode

 

Gene Wilder, Paris Themmen, Michael Bollner, Julie Dawn Cole, Denise Nickerson, and Peter Ostrum in After They Were Famous (1999)

After They Were Famous

7.4

TV Series

Self

2002

1 episode

 

Michael Aspel in This Is Your Life (1955)

This Is Your Life

6.5

TV Series

Self

1963–2001

3 episodes

 

Granadaland

TV Series

Self

1992

 

Time to Talk

TV Series

Self

1992

1 episode

 

Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley in BAFTA British Academy Awards (1989)

BAFTA British Academy Awards

TV Special

Self

1989

 

Find a Family

TV Series

1989

1 episode

 

Brass Tacks (1977)

Brass Tacks

5.2

TV Series

Self

1988

1 episode

 

Did You See..? (1980)

Did You See..?

5.7

TV Series

Self

1982–1985

4 episodes

 

Fathers by Sons

TV Series

Self

1985

1 episode

 

Children in Need

TV Movie

Self

1982

 

Friday Night, Saturday Morning (1979)

Friday Night, Saturday Morning

6.2

TV Series

Self

1982

1 episode

 

The 54th Annual Academy Awards (1982)

The 54th Annual Academy Awards

6.3

TV Special

Self - Winner

1982

 

Melvyn Bragg in The South Bank Show (1978)

The South Bank Show

6.9

TV Series

Self

1981

1 episode

 

Calendar People

TV Series

Self

1976

1 episode

 

Cinema (1964)

Cinema

6.4

TV Series

Self - Presenter

1974

1 episode

 

Mary: Rhymes and Reasons

TV Series

Self

1972

1 episode

 

Having a Lovely Time

TV Mini Series

Self - Presenter

1972

 

Desmond Dekker in Review (1969)

Review

5.7

TV Series

Self - Competition Judge

1972

1 episode

 

He Said, She Said

TV Series

Self

1971

1 episode

 

Late Night Line-Up (1964)

Late Night Line-Up

7.0

TV Series

Self

1965–1970

4 episodes

 

The Good Old Days (1953)

The Good Old Days

6.9

TV Series

Self - Performer

1964

1 episode

 

Archive Footage

Armchair Britain (2018)

Armchair Britain

7.1

TV Series

Self (archive footage, uncredited)

2018

1 episode

 

TCM Remembers 2015

Music Video

Self

director

writer (archive footage)

2015

 

International Test Series 2015

TV Mini Series

Self (archive footage, uncredited)

2015

1 episode