Name: The Adventures of Frank: Seeds of Ice
Director: John McGrath
Genre: Drama, TV Movie, Music
Released: 1980-11-11
Duration: 80 min
Rating: 8
Cast: Mick Ford, Jennifer Hilary, Jim Broadbent, Bernard Gallagher, Susan Porrett

A punk poet's midlife crisis set to ice-cold synths — Broadbent's in it too!

working-class poetryThatcher-era blueskitchen sink surrealism

Overview

Drama TV Movie Music

In his further adventures Frank finds success and unhappiness.

Content warning

Standout Aspects

Acting

Mick Ford's simmering rage as Frank, barely contained by politeness.

Writing

McGrath's acidic dialogue — every sentence bites back.

Best for:Solo·Streaming

Heads up:Emotional

Director

John McGrath

ReleasedNov 11, 1980

Runtime1h 20m

StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady

Intensitymedium

Tonemixed

Feelheavy

Top Cast

Mick Ford

Frank

Jennifer Hilary

Mrs. Champing

Jim Broadbent

Mr. Champing

Bernard Gallagher

Mr. Trolley

Susan Porrett

Miss Cataclysm

Jane Wood

Mrs. Chancer

Alan Ford

Mr. Chancer

Perry Benson

Andrew

Pip Donaghy

Bill Bailey

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Cultural

Part of the BBC's 1979-1980 'Play for Today' strand exploring working-class cultural identity during Thatcher's rise — Frank became an unlikely punk-era everyman.

Trivia

Mick Ford co-wrote the original 'Frank' plays with McGrath; the character was semi-autobiographical, drawn from Ford's own failed music career in Manchester.