Fans of an iconic TV series can now watch a documentary about their favourite characters, revel in behind the scenes clips and hear stories from the cast at the same time as helping to raise valuable funds for a Tyneside based charity.
In September 2013, members of the cast, writers and crew of Auf Wiedersehen Pet gathered on Tyneside to reminisce and celebrate the show that captured the imagination of a generation and made it trendy to be a Geordie.
Now, in conjunction with the Sunday for Sammy Trust, a DVD has been issued which looks back at the series and features never seen before footage of the 30th Anniversary celebrations on Tyneside. The Sunday for Sammy Trust, which supports emerging North East performers, will receive 75% of the profits from the DVD, which it is hoped will be a Christmas best seller.
In the DVD, Tim Healy, Kevin Whately, Jimmy, Nail, Timothy Spall and Christopher Fairbank plus creator Franc Roddam and award winning script-writers Dick Clement and Ian la Frenais recount how a tale of Geordie Brickies working in Germany took the TV world by storm.
The original Auf Wiedersehen Pet ran for two series and then the actors went their separate ways. Many years later in 2000, an appearance by Tim, Kevin and Jimmy as Dennis, Neville and Oz at Newcastle City Hall for the first Sunday for Sammy show was the inspiration for Auf Wiedersehen Pet’s triumphant return to the nation’s TV screens.
The DVD is produced by award winning director, Geoff Wonfor and narrated by Tim Healy who played Dennis Patterson in the series. .
“Auf Wiedersehen Pet was the best job in TV I’ve ever had,” said Tim.
“It’s been great narrating the video and walking through the streets of Newcastle linking the scenes together.”
Newcastle based actress Lesley Saint John who played gangster’s moll Vikki in the series was delighted with the DVD and the recent celebrations.
“I think the DVD is a must for any Auf Wiedersehen Pet fan. The behind the scenes stories and never seen before private video footage from the cast makes this DVD very special. With amazing writers, an amazing cast, and amazing fans it really is an amazing tribute to the series.”
Ray Laidlaw from the Sunday for Sammy Trust who also produced the DVD said,
“The Auf Wiedersehen Pet series is still making people laugh 30 years after the first episode was aired. We all had great fun at the celebration events and this DVD not only chronicles the history of the series but gives those fans who couldn’t come to Newcastle in September the chance to share a piece of TV comedy drama genius.”
The DVD is available online from http://www.mawson-wareham.com/product.php?prodid=128&sename=BACK%20WITH%20THE%20BOYS%20AGAIN%20-%20Auf%20Wiedersehen%20Pet%2030th%20Anniversary%20Reunion&pcid=1194629161128576169710971797211329441026 or from JG Windows in Newcastle
