The Gravy Train Goes East

The Gravy Train Goes East
GenreComedy drama
Satire
Created byMalcolm Bradbury
Written byMalcolm Bradbury
Directed byJames Cellan Jones
StarringChristoph Waltz
Ian Richardson
Jacques Sereys
Anita Zagaria
Jeremy Child
John Dicks
Henry Goodman
Janek Lesniak
Roger Lloyd-Pack
Cécile Paoli
Judy Parfitt
James Villiers
Francesca Annis
Trevor Peacock
ComposerJohn E. Keane
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes4
Production
Executive producersVictor Glynn
Andrew Warren
ProducersPhilip Hinchcliffe
Ian Warren
Production locationsEngland, UK
Austria
Hungary
CinematographyElemér Ragályi
EditorBarry Peters
Running time52 minutes
Production companiesPortman Productions in association with France 2 and ZDF
Original release
NetworkChannel 4
Release28 October (1991-10-28) –
18 November 1991 (1991-11-18)
Related
The Gravy Train

The Gravy Train Goes East is a British satirical sequel comedy-drama series written and created by Malcolm Bradbury and directed by James Cellan Jones. The show starred Christoph Waltz and Ian Richardson. It was produced by Portman Productions in association with France 2 and ZDF for one series and four episodes and aired on Channel 4 between 28 October and 18 November 1991. It was a spiritual, but comical sequel to the successor, The Gravy Train in 1990, the last year.

Plot

It was the sequel to The Gravy Train. Dorfman (from the first serial) has to assess the chances of the Balkan state of Slaka who want to join the E.C..[1]

Cast

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Episode 1"James Cellan JonesMalcolm Bradbury28 October 1991 (1991-10-28)
Following a democratic overthrow of its brutal communist dictator, the tiny Eastern European country of Slaka is keen to open up to the west. The E.C. is quick to pounce and ready it for acceding to the bloc, but the British Government has different plans. Whilst the former calls for the assistance of old hand Hans-Joachim Dorfmann, the latter sends in another equally old hand, Michael Spearpoint.[2]
2"Episode 2"James Cellan JonesMalcom Bradbury4 November 1991 (1991-11-04)
Dorfmann's naivety is exposed once more as both the Slakan President, and the mysterious Galina, seduce him; and a series of shady figures take him for drives around the city. Meanwhile Villeneuve's plotting continues, and he reveals to Gianna a dossier of gossip on Spearpoint...[3]
3"Episode 3"James Cellan JonesMalcom Bradbury11 November 1991 (1991-11-11)
After his unwilling nocturnal adventures, Hans finds himself equally in-demand during the day. The President is no less enamoured with him when they meet again, and British Ambassador Felix Steadiman is also keen to have a word, following a change in Government policy. But then so is Tankic, ensuring that an evening at the city's concert hall does not prove relaxing.[4]
4"Episode 4"James Cellan JonesMalcom Bradbury18 November 1991 (1991-11-18)
Fresh from his latest ordeal, Hans is interrogated by Tankic before being unceremoniously deported from Slaka amidst rumours of a secret fortune. Back in Brussels things are hotting up as the Brits solidify support for Slakan entry to the bloc whilst the rest of the states grow increasingly wary, but as President Princip flies into Brussels, Dorfmann heads to Luxembourg and meets the mysterious Galina Vitali again.[5]

Production locations

The series was shot in Austria, Hungary, and in England at Pinewood Studios.[6]

Home media

The complete second series was released on DVD by Simply Media in two-disc set on 8 October 2018.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Gravy Train Goes East, The (Channel 4 1991, Christoph Waltz, Ian Richardson)". Memorable TV. 4 June 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  2. ↑ "The Gravy Train Goes East: Episode 1". BFI. 28 October 1991. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "The Gravy Train Goes East: Episode 2". BFI. 4 November 1991. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "The Gravy Train Goes East: Episode 3". BFI. 11 November 1991. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  5. ↑ "The Gravy Train Goes East: Episode 4". BFI. 18 November 1991. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  6. ↑ "Gravy Train, The/Gravy Train Goes East, The – Nostalgia Central". Nostalgia Central. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  7. ↑ "The Gravy Train Goes East - Channel 4 Comedy". 8 October 2018 – via Amazon.co.uk.
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