After losing money at the racecourse, the Optimist (Enn Reitel) meets Sal (Julia Chambers) the owner of the stables, and manages to get work as a stable boy, where he saves the aptly named horse Nutter from being sent to the knackers yard and lovingly prepares him for the big race.
Betting spies are afoot and the stakes are high as the day arrives, with Nutter the favourite. Unfortunately, Nutter loves his saviour so much that during the race he suddenly stops to go over and give him a nuzzle. Now the Optimist is on the run.
ENN REITEL
the Optimist
the Optimist
JULIA CHAMBERS
Sal
Sal
ANDREW BICKNELL
Head Lad
Head Lad
JOHN BLYTHE
Big Mac
director
ROBERT FUEST
production supervised by
ROBERT SIDAWAY
written by
ROBERT FUEST
ENN REITEL
devised by
RICHARD SPARKS
producers
ROBERT SIDAWAY
JOHN BRITTANY
photography
FRANCIS DE GROOTE
art director
MIKE PORTER
edited by
JOHN DANIELS
HILARY MAWDSLEY
music score by
JOHN CAMERON
Optimist theme by
DAVID SPEAR
title music arranged & conducted by
JOHN CAMERON
casting by
ALAN FOENANDER
executive producer
DAVID GIDEON THOMSON
assistant director
STEVE FINN
focus puller
JEREMY BRIGDEN
technical assistant
ASHLEY SIDAWAY
gaffer
JOHN PARSONS
sparks
RON HERSCHMAN
JIM KNIGHT
grip
JOHN LAKE
costume
JO KORER
JOHN HIBBS
continuity
CAROL SNOOK
make-up
MADELEINE MASTERS
production buyer
GWENDA FOORD
standby props
ANDY HAMILTON
location manager
KATHY FISHER
runners
SIOBHAN MULHOLLAND
CHRIS MCWATTERS
STEVEN TYE
production manager
STEWART RICHARDS
production accountant
IRENE JAY
production assistant
SUE TONKINSON
assistant to producers
BEV LANGLEY
dubbing editor
JURIS EKSTS
dubbing mixer
TED RYAN
dialogue coach
CECIL KORER
production publicity
ALAN TREWEEKE
camera and lighting equipment
supplied by
CRYSTAL FILMS ASSOCIATES
laboratories
STUDIO FILM & VIDEO LAB
opticals and titles by
LES LATIMER OPTICALS
end credit stills by
JO KORER
TRISTRAM SHAPEERO
copying machine supplied by
NASHUA
The Optimist Company
for Channel Four
and Charisma Films
filmed on location at
Kempton Park Race Course
and
Priam Lodge Stables, Epsom
April 1984
our thanks to
Mazda Cars
