Taglines: An adult film for teenagers… and a teenage film for adults.
The System movie storyline. There are two weeks left in the British summer holiday season. Coastal resort towns like Roxham survive by the throngs of summer tourists, largely shutting down in the off season. Steve Taylor – Tinker to his friends – knows the routine better than most, he a tourist photographer. He heads an unofficial group of lads who work “the system” as they call it. He uses his photographer position to take photographs and get the local addresses of potential female conquests for the week, this information which is shared among the group.
They fan out on the weekend to the social gatherings where the females would be congregating before settling on their choices for the week. They do whatever they need to to get the chosen into bed, these conquests eventually leaving Roxham with the promise of “a future” which is never to be. As he has settled in Roxham, Tink, during the off season, has sexual relationships with local women – some married – who he largely ignores during the tourist season.
This week, Tink initially sets his sights on a mysterious woman seated in first class on the train. However, Tink eventually hooks up with Nicola, a model and part of the upper class. Unlike his other conquests, Nicola knows about the system and enters into the week with Tink with her eyes wide open. As the tourist season comes to a close, Tink and Nicola come to a resolution which was foreseen only by one.
The System (US: The Girl-Getters) is a 1964 British drama film directed by Michael Winner and starring Oliver Reed, Jane Merrow and Barbara Ferris. Julie Christie was originally intended to be in the film, but she had to withdraw, and was replaced by Julia Foster. The writer was Peter Draper, who in this film popularised the word ‘grockle’ to mean a holiday visitor.
Extensive location filming took place in south Devon including Brixham railway station (now demolished), Brixham Harbour, Elberry Cove, Paignton Beach, Harbour, and Pier, Torquay Palm Court hotel (now demolished), and Torquay seafront. Dartmouth, the Dartmouth ferry, Slapton Sands, and Hallsands also featured.
The System (1964)
Directed by: Michael Winner
Starring: Oliver Reed, Jane Merrow, Barbara Ferris, Julia Foster, Harry Andrews, Ann Lynn, Guy Doleman, Andrew Ray, John Porter, Clive Colin, John Alderton, David Hemmings, Talitha Getty
Screenplay by: Peter Draper
Cinematography by: Nicolas Roeg
Film Editing by: Fred Burnley
Art Direction by: Geoffrey Tozer
Makeup Department: Gerry Fletcher, Betty Glasow
Music by: Stanley Black
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Bryanston Films (UK)
Release Date: October 11, 1964 (UK)
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