The Rack Pack - Available on BBC iPlayer

Time to read
3 minutes
Read so far

The Rack Pack - Available on BBC iPlayer

May 30, 2016 - 10:39
Posted in:
4 reader reviews
Average: 5 (5 votes)
Rate this programme

This one-off drama seemed to come out of nowhere when it first aired and sparked a real sense of camaraderie between viewers of all ages and walks of life on social media.  Many, like me, were ‘there’ when the legendary Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins and Steve Davis were at the peak of their game.

The Rat Pack

By Anna May

This one-off drama seemed to come out of nowhere when it first aired and sparked a real sense of camaraderie between viewers of all ages and walks of life on social media. Many, like me, were ‘there’ when the legendary Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins and Steve Davis were at the peak of their game. Even if you weren’t an avid fan of snooker as a kid, or even as an adult, you cannot help but remember the hype that surrounded these two for several years. Who else remembers expressing a sudden interest in snooker to their parents, just so they could stay up all night to watch the crucial matches? Oh, it was just me. Okay.

Only accessible through streaming services, the world wide word of mouth helped out and before long we were all gazing at our screens, anxious to see how each of the most predominant snooker players of the eighties had been portrayed. To be honest, after seeing what they’d done to Davis (think Ed Sheeran crossed with Rodney Trotter), I half-expected Ray Reardon to rock up with an exaggerated pair of cuspids and a cape. No need, though, because Jimmy White’s stunning overbite made all things equal.

The story seems to pretty much focus on Higgins, but we’re quickly drawn into the darkness of his obsession with the young, ambitious Davis. The writers, and indeed actors, have really done a great job here in capturing his overwhelming need for validation and his heart-rending fear of failure. The peaks and troughs of both Alex’s personal life and career tend to set the variable mood and momentum and, after watching his helpless battle with alcoholism and consequent unsavoury and life-damaging behaviour, you’ll probably be left wishing this wasn’t a true story.

That said, the spirit of the time is captured brilliantly though music and a solid representation of the era. Also, Davis’s personality and general appearance is so hilariously overplayed at times, you’re never far away from feeling a broad smile creep across your face. The first glimpse you get of him is quite something to behold, so hats off to Steve Davis for continuing to afford us so many laughs at his expense.

Incidentally, Steve Davis isn’t given too much special treatment here and is certainly not included purely for comic relief. His feelings towards Alex Higgins and his own hunger to be lauded as the best snooker player in the world are laid bare for all to see. The fact he refused to give up his dream as a result of Alex’s intimidation shows his commitment and love for the sport. We’re also made very aware of the great respect Davis has for Higgins, regardless of his stubborn refusal to ‘play nice’. Included in the end credits is a lovely quote from Davis that really touched my heart.

To assume The Rack Pack could only be enjoyed by snooker fans, or middle-aged viewers like me, would be very wrong. This isn’t trying its luck as a cult movie only people with a wheel-spinning Ford Capri somewhere in their past would appreciate (guilty). There’s a story here and a very good one at that. The most memorable matches are highlighted and recreated so vividly through clever use of original commentary and footage, you may well find the hairs on the back of your neck rising up. Nostalgia to the max.

There are 4 Comments

Bobalice24's picture

I was pleased to catch up with this tonight on BBC2 after hearing so many good things about it online. It didn't disappoint. I dont think you need to be a snooker fan or a child of the 80's to appreciate this stand alone drama.

It is superbly shot and directed, capturing the gritty, smokey, working class snooker halls where the sport was languishing before becoming a massive TV hit in the 80's helped in no short way by the characters depicted in this drama.

The casting of the the three leads is inspired, particularly Kevin Bishop as the gregarious manager Barry and Will Merrick as a gauche Davis.
Billed as a battle between bitter rivals I saw it more as the decline of the historical origins of the sport personified by the tragic breakdown of Higgins' life and the media acceptance of snooker as being interesting despite the ironic Steve Davis nickname.

I don't know how much the 'boring' persona of Davis was manufactured, it seems a bit before our current PR manipulative times. But he has shown himself to be a little more interesting at least and at best a great self parodist.
We all know how it panned out for Higgins and what a great shame that was but his legacy lives on and this film accords him a certain degree of reverance