I’ve just pulled a book off the shelf – “Which side are you on? Ken Loach and his films” by Anthony Hayward.
Realism was everything for Loach, who used the element of surprise to elicit natural performances from his young cast. When Billy is among five boys sent to the headmaster’s office for a caning, a younger sixth one is told to take a message to the head. None of them expected a real caning to be administered, which it was, least of all the twelve-year-old, Martin Harley; his tears were as real as his protestations. Barry Hines, who was present for most of the filming, recalled, ‘Ken said to Bob Bowes, who played the head: “Every time that little lad opens his mouth, tell him to shut up. Don’t let him get the words out.”